Foreign Temporary Driving License

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What is the Mohan Port process step by step?

Mohan Port (on the China-Laos border, in Yunnan province) is the busiest crossing for foreign self-drive vehicles coming from Southeast Asia. Here is exactly what happens when you arrive:

• Step 1 (20 minutes): We meet you at the Laos-China border bridge, collect your documents, and confirm your pre-filed paperwork is ready.
• Step 2 (30 minutes): You complete Chinese immigration exit/entry formalities: passport stamping, customs declaration form for your personal goods.
• Step 3 (60 minutes): Customs processes your vehicle temporary import permit, inspects the car, and issues the temporary Chinese license plate (we fix it to your car for you).
• Step 4 (30 minutes): Traffic police issues your temporary Chinese driving permit, and we arrange the mandatory temporary motor insurance for your stay.
• Step 5 (10 minutes): We hand you all your paperwork, confirm you know the basic traffic rules, and you are free to drive into China.

What should you expect on the day?

We recommend arriving at the border before 10am on a weekday. The port gets busy between 11am and 2pm with large tour buses, so arriving early means shorter wait times. You do not need to stay overnight in Mohan — once you are cleared, you can drive directly to Kunming (6 hours) or to Xishuangbanna (1 hour) for your first night in China.

Common issues at Mohan port

The most common reason for delays is missing original vehicle registration papers. If your paperwork is complete and pre-filed, the process is smooth. The port is open 7 days a week, from 8am to 6pm — we do not recommend arriving after 4pm, as you may not have enough time to clear all formalities before closing.

Exiting through Mohan

When you leave China via Mohan, the process is even faster: we meet you at the border, process your car's exit paperwork, return your customs deposit, and clear you out in roughly 1–2 hours.

If you are planning to cross at Mohan, contact us 3–5 days before you arrive so we can pre-file all your paperwork, and meet you at the border on your arrival day.