China’s Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) said it will strengthen regulatory guidance for used vehicle exports to support the sector’s national rollout and ensure orderly development, as reported by CCTV News.
At a regular press briefing, MOFCOM spokesperson He Yadong said the ministry will continue to coordinate with other government departments to implement the decision made in February 2024 to expand used car export operations nationwide. The announcement followed the conclusion of a pilot program first launched in 2019.
Used vehicle trade is a common international practice, MOFCOM noted, and China is seeking to formalize the sector through stricter technical standards and export procedures. According to CCTV News, China exported more than 436,000 used vehicles in the first half of 2024—up 58.5% year-on-year—after exporting 275,000 units in 2023 with a total value of $6.88 billion.
Under the updated framework, vehicles intended for export must pass inspections conducted by certified third-party agencies. Passenger cars and commercial vehicles must comply with national standards WM/T 8-2022 and WM/T 9-2022, respectively. Exporters must also observe the regulatory requirements of destination countries, including providing declarations of conformity where applicable.
Authorities are promoting the use of the Automotive Maintenance Electronic Health Record System to validate service histories and improve traceability.
The tightened measures come amid growing scrutiny of practices in the domestic market, particularly the rising number of “zero-kilometre used cars”—vehicles registered as used but with minimal or no actual mileage. Analysts say this trend is often linked to high inventory levels and overcapacity in the automotive sector.
As of April 2025, China’s passenger car inventory stood at approximately 3.5 million units, with some manufacturers operating at less than 50% of capacity. In May, MOFCOM held discussions with automakers and used vehicle platforms to address data transparency and explore oversight improvements.
Industry analysts say expanding regulated used car exports could help alleviate domestic overcapacity while bolstering trust in vehicle resale practices, provided compliance and enforcement remain rigorous.