How do I verify a Chinese EV exporter is legitimate before sending a deposit?
Short answer:
Check for a registered business license, ask for the vehicle's real VIN and photos before paying, and never wire a deposit to a personal account.
Before sending any deposit to a China-based export company, verify:
- Business registration — ask for the company's business license number and check it against China's national enterprise registry (国家企业信用信息公示系统).
- Real inventory — a legitimate exporter can show you the actual VIN, dated photos and the vehicle's location, not just stock catalog images.
- Payment account — deposits should go to a company bank account matching the business license name, never a personal account.
- Track record — ask how long they've exported, to which countries, and for references from past shipments.
We publish our real inventory with VINs and photos on every listing — happy to provide our business registration details on request.