The supplier provides the commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading, certificate of origin and the vehicle's technical documents. Customs clearance at destination is the buyer's responsibility, normally handled by their forwarder or a local broker. Getting the HS code right before shipment avoids most clearance problems.
The HS classification is the single most important document detail. An ambulance, a police vehicle and a mobile clinic may attract different duty rates and different non-tariff requirements in the same country. Classifying by the chassis instead of by the converted vehicle is a common error that surfaces only when the container is already at the port.
The technical document package matters as much as the customs paperwork. It usually includes the chassis certificate of conformity, the conversion bill of materials, weight and axle load calculations, electrical schematics and, where applicable, test reports. Registration authorities ask for these separately from customs.
Some markets require pre-shipment inspection by a nominated agency, and a certificate of inspection must be presented at import. This is a schedule item, not a paperwork item: the inspection has to be booked before packing, and the vehicle cannot ship until the certificate is issued.
The practical rule is to confirm the full document list with the buyer's broker before production starts. A broker who has cleared a similar vehicle in that country will know which certificates are demanded in practice, which is often stricter than what the regulation says on paper.
Yes. Under FOB the buyer nominates the forwarder, and we deliver to their nominated port and agent. We will provide the documents directly to the forwarder as instructed.
It is corrected and re-declared, which costs time and sometimes storage. This is why the classification is confirmed with your broker before shipment rather than after arrival.
Vehicles are normally quoted EXW, FOB or CIF. Under FOB the buyer nominates the forwarder and controls the sea freight; under CIF the supplier arrange...
Compliance and certificationCan the vehicle be registered and homologated in my country?In most markets a converted special vehicle is registered as a modification of a type-approved chassis rather than as a new type. That requires a chas...
Tell us the vehicle, the market and the requirement. You will get a straight answer within one working day, whether or not it leads to an order.