On November 14, 2025, four ministries – the Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, Ministry of Public Security, and General Administration of Customs – jointly issued a notice. Effective January 2026, it sets key rules: curb new cars passed off as used (180-day-old or newer exports need manufacturer’s after-sales confirmation), standardize export license filling, dynamically manage enterprises (rectify for dishonesty), and strictly review modified car exports (authentic certificates & compliance). It also supports enterprises in exploring overseas markets, improving after-sales, and developing one-stop services to boost orderly industry development.
Full text below:
Competent commercial, industry and information technology, and public security departments of all provinces, autonomous regions, municipalities directly under the Central Government, cities specifically designated in the state plan, and Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps; Guangdong Sub-Administration and all direct customs offices of the General Administration of Customs:
To implement the Party Central Committee and the State Council’s decisions, further standardize the auto industry’s competition order, and promote the healthy and orderly development of China’s used car exports, the four ministries decide to strengthen used car export management. Relevant matters are notified as follows:
I. Strengthening Used Car Export Administration
(1) Curbing New Cars Disguised as Used Exports
From January 1, 2026, for vehicles applying for export with a registration period under 180 days (inclusive), local commerce authorities shall guide enterprises to submit an additional “After-sales Maintenance Service Confirmation” from the vehicle manufacturer. The confirmation shall include export country, vehicle info, and after-sales network details, sealed by the manufacturer. No export license will be issued for those without such documents. For vehicles registered for transfer and pending export before the notice takes effect, guide enterprises to fulfill contracts and export in order.
(2) Standardizing Export License Application & Issuance
Local commerce authorities shall instruct enterprises to fill in export license info completely and standardly. Vehicle brand, model, registration date, and transfer-for-export date must match the *Motor Vehicle Registration Certificate* (to be entered in the license appendix). No license will be issued for non-compliant applications. The Ministry of Commerce will monitor filling compliance and notify enterprises/issuing authorities with repeated violations.
(3) Establishing Dynamic Enterprise Management & Exit Mechanism
Local commerce authorities shall improve the credit evaluation system for used car exports. Based on the “Negative List of Dishonest Behaviors in Used Car Exports“ (Annex 1), conduct daily supervision to regulate operations and competition order. Promptly interview enterprises with dishonest acts. For those with repeated dishonesty, failure to provide maintenance tech/spare parts, or non-performance of quality guarantees – plus new enterprises set up by their legal persons/affiliates – order them to formulate and implement rectification. License approval shall depend on rectification progress.
II. Enhancing Compliance Review
(4) Strict License Rules for Modified Car Exports
Local commerce authorities shall guide modified car exporters to accurately fill in chassis brand, modified brand, and vehicle model, and submit authentic modification materials (Annex 2). No export license will be granted to those without valid modification proof, unlisted in the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology’s “Announcement of Road Motor Vehicle Manufacturers and Products”, or lacking national mandatory product certification. Local authorities shall inspect modified car manufacturers’ export volume and production capacity, and report findings to the Ministry of Commerce. The four ministries will monitor abnormal links in modified car exports, share info, and step up inspections/penalties.
(5) Improving Enterprises’ International Operation Capabilities
Local commerce authorities shall use trade promotion platforms to support enterprises in exploring diverse markets. Encourage qualified enterprises to build public exhibition and trading centers in key markets, expanding integrated services like marketing and warehousing. Improve training systems to guide compliant operations via policy briefings and experience sharing.
(6) Improving Export Supporting Systems
For long-term development, local commerce authorities shall guide exporters to cooperate with auto manufacturers and overseas importers to improve after-sales services, ensuring spare part supply and technical support. Promote exchanges between exporters and supply chain partners (logistics, finance, third-party quality assurance). Explore specialized used car export markets, providing one-stop services (preparation, inspection, customs declaration, logistics) to support sustainable industry development.
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