5 Questions to Ask a Chinese EV Supplier Before You Import

2026-10-15

Before you sign with a Chinese EV supplier, the sticker price is the last thing you should settle. Here are the five questions that actually protect your margin.

1. What is the real FOB, MOQ and lead time?

The catalogue shows reference FOB. Your contract needs the real number, minimum order quantity, and build-to-delivery lead time in writing. A vague lead time is a stockout in disguise. Get it confirmed per model, not per brand.

2. Which markets is this model certified for?

Certification is per market, not per car. A Dolphin cleared for Europe is not cleared for Saudi SABER or Indonesia SNI. Ask for the certificate number and validity window - a photo of a sticker is not an answer.

3. Is there a local plant or only export?

A brand with a plant in or near your region (BYD Thailand, BYD Hungary, SAIC Spain, Chery's pipeline) offers tariff-proof supply and allocation priority. A pure exporter is exposed to every new duty. Weight the footprint as heavily as the price.

4. What is the after-sales and parts commitment?

A low price with no local parts hub is a liability. Require a service plan: parts turnaround, technician training, and who pays warranty claims locally. No service plan, no signature.

5. Which tariff lane applies to my SKU?

Model the quote across lanes - duty-paid BEV, the 10% PHEV base rate, and local-built at zero. The brands that localize turn the tariff from a cost into a moat. Quote all three before you commit.

The bigger picture

These five questions separate a transaction from a partnership. The suppliers who answer cleanly are the ones worth a channel; the ones who dodge are the ones to avoid. Price gets you in the door. The answers keep you profitable.

For overseas buyers, the read is operational: ask the five, get them in writing, then negotiate. The car is the easy part.

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