BYD Export Documents Explained: What You Receive With Every Shipment

Vehicle export paperwork looks intimidating until you understand what each document actually does. Here is a plain breakdown of what you receive with every shipment, and why customs officers at your destination will ask for each one.

Commercial Invoice

The commercial invoice states the agreed sale value of the vehicle and is the primary document customs uses to calculate duty and VAT. Accuracy here matters enormously — an invoice value that does not match the actual transaction can trigger customs delays, additional inspection, or penalties at the destination. This is why we issue invoices that match the actual agreed price down to the documentation your customs broker will need.

Packing List

The packing list itemizes exactly what is in the shipment — vehicle identification details, accessories, and any accompanying parts or documents shipped alongside the vehicle. Customs and freight handlers use this to verify the physical shipment matches what was declared.

Bill of Lading

Issued by the shipping line, the bill of lading is both a receipt for the cargo and the legal document of title — whoever holds the original bill of lading can claim the vehicle at the destination port. This is the document your customs broker or freight forwarder will need to release the vehicle once it arrives.

Certificate of Origin

The Certificate of Origin confirms the vehicle was manufactured in China, which can affect the duty rate applied under trade agreements between China and your destination country. In some markets this document is what unlocks a preferential tariff rate rather than the standard one.

Used Vehicles: Additional Documentation

Used unit shipments include everything above plus a full condition report — mileage, battery health percentage, ownership count and any accident history — along with ownership transfer documents establishing a clean chain of title. This paperwork is what allows the vehicle to be re-registered in your name at the destination.

Getting Through Customs Smoothly

Nearly every clearance delay we see traces back to a documentation mismatch — an invoice value that does not match the declared customs value, or a bill of lading detail that does not match the packing list. Confirm all four core documents against each other before your shipment departs, and if your destination has specific import requirements beyond the standard set, tell us in advance so we can prepare accordingly. See our full step-by-step export process for how this fits into the order timeline.