China Temporary Driving Permit · Fast-track Service · Same Day
WeChat is the primary communication and payment tool in China. WhatsApp, Telegram, and most Western apps are blocked and will not work inside China. You need WeChat for messaging, voice calls, mobile payment, and emergency rescue coordination. Read the complete WeChat guide and usage tips →
No. Chinese regulations require foreign vehicles entering on a temporary basis to be sponsored by a licensed travel agency that provides a customs guarantee. You cannot handle this process on your own at the border. Learn more about why you need an agency →
The most common ports are Mohan (Yunnan, for Southeast Asia), Khorgos (Xinjiang, for Central Asia and Europe), and Erlian (Inner Mongolia, for Russia and Europe). Sea ports include Guangzhou, Dalian, and Shanghai for vehicles shipped by sea. See all available entry ports →
Normally, the customs guarantee is up to 50% of your vehicle's value. Our agency provides the guarantee, so you only need to pay a symbolic deposit of ¥10,000 RMB, which is fully refunded when you exit China with your vehicle. Learn more about deposits and guarantees →
Yes. You need a temporary Chinese driving permit. This can be arranged at the border or in advance. Your original foreign license plus your passport are required. Learn about temporary driving permits →
Temporary entry permits are typically valid for 90 days, with possible extensions. Your vehicle must exit China within the permitted period, or the customs guarantee will be forfeited. Learn about stay extensions →
Most provinces are accessible, but certain restricted areas (such as parts of Tibet, military zones, and some border areas) require special permits. We can help you plan your route and obtain any necessary additional permits.
Service fees are tiered by entry port, per vehicle (not per passenger):
This fee includes: customs declaration at entry port, border inspection procedures, Chinese temporary driving license, temporary vehicle license plates (valid 3 months), exit port customs clearance, route registration with customs, and on-site staff assistance at the port — you don't need to run between windows yourself. All administrative costs for temporary license and plates are included, no extra fees at the port.
Not included: customs deposit, vehicle insurance, document translation costs, and your own fuel, tolls, food, and accommodation during the trip.
This comes down to qualification: we are a licensed outbound travel agency that has posted a ¥1.6 million quality guarantee bond with the tourism administration, under government supervision. Customs accepts our guarantee letter, so any amount above ¥10,000 is covered by our bond — you only pay ¥10,000.
Regular customs brokers do not post this quality bond, so customs does not accept their guarantee and requires a deposit equal to the full assessed value of your car, often tens of thousands of RMB, collected by the broker. If the broker runs into financial trouble or disappears, your deposit is at risk. We present this distinction plainly so you can weigh the tradeoffs yourself.
The ¥10,000 deposit must arrive at our company's official business account at least 3 days before your planned entry date — if it arrives late, your customs declaration is automatically cancelled and your service fee is non-refundable. Customs does not accept payment directly from individuals; always be cautious of requests to send deposit funds to a personal account.
After you exit China through the designated port, customs refunds the deposit to us within 3–5 working days, and we will transfer it back to your original payment account. Full refund (no handling fee) requires: the vehicle exits before the temporary plate expires, no unpaid traffic tickets in China, and no outstanding customs issues.
Chinese regulations require all foreign vehicles entering China to have mandatory traffic accident liability insurance — without it, temporary plates cannot be issued. We will arrange this insurance for you before entry, and you only pay the actual premium, no need to find an insurer on your own.
Your foreign driving license, vehicle registration, and ownership documents require certified Chinese translations for customs. We handle this translation for you, charged per document, and we will quote the price clearly before starting the work.
Vehicles over 6 years old need to pass a vehicle inspection at the local vehicle management office before temporary plates can be issued. Some ports also require a valid vehicle inspection certificate from your home country, so check that your original inspection paperwork is still valid before you depart to avoid being turned away at the border.
We recommend sending all documents at least 20 days before your planned entry, to leave enough time for customs declaration and avoid last-minute paperwork issues:
We cannot submit your customs declaration without a complete document set; 20 days is a reliable lead time.
You can drive to most of China with temporary plates, with two special requirements:
We currently handle four land border crossings: Mohan (Yunnan, connecting Laos, Thailand, and Malaysia), Khorgos (Xinjiang, connecting Kazakhstan, Central Asia, and Europe), Gyirong (Tibet, connecting Nepal), and Erenhot (Inner Mongolia, connecting Mongolia and Russia). For sea shipments, we can assist with vehicle entry procedures at Dalian, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen ports, so you can choose the entry point that fits your route.
Have more questions? Contact us and we'll get back to you within 24 hours.