How we work
How far we manage your order, and how it is protected
Trilliauto manages cars and machinery from the source to the customs zone of the destination country. This page explains who is responsible at each stage, how your payment is protected and which documents you receive.
Responsibility map
Trilliauto manages
- 1Sourcing and presenting options
- 2Checking the seller and documents
- 3Initial check with VIN, photos and video
- 4Organising the purchase
- 5Inland transport in the source country
- 6Export documents
- 7Pre-loading inspection and Handover Report
- 8Arranging cargo insurance
- 9International transport
- 10Online tracking of every stage
- 11Handover at the customs zone
The customer or a local broker manages
- Import customs declaration
- Customs duty, taxes and fees
- Certification and local standards
- Release from the customs zone
- Registration
- Domestic transport
- Local laws and procedures
Trilliauto's obligation ends when the car is handed over at the destination port, terminal or customs zone named in the contract.
Delivery terms: DAP, Incoterms® 2020
Standard orders are delivered DAP [named place], Incoterms® 2020. We deliver the car to the agreed destination port, terminal or customs zone. Import customs, taxes, duties and registration are the customer's responsibility.
DDP (delivered duty paid) is not our standard service. A local broker knows the destination country's import rules best.
Payment terms
You pay in stages tied to real progress, not all at once. Before each stage you receive video, documents and a status update.
1
When the contract is signed
First part of the fixed service fee.
2
When VIN, video and documents are confirmed
100% of the car price, paid directly to the seller's company account before transport starts.
3
When the Handover Report is approved
Logistics and insurance costs and the rest of the service fee.
4
From loading to the customs zone
No further payments. Status, documents and tracking only.
- The car price is paid only to the seller's company account registered in mainland China. No offshore or third-party accounts.
- Logistics and insurance are shown at cost, from the real invoices, with no markup. Our income is the fixed service fee only.
- All prices are in US dollars.
Pre-loading inspection and Handover Report
When the car reaches the logistics terminal it is inspected before loading. The logistics company issues a signed and stamped Vehicle Handover & Inspection Report, which is sent to you.
- VIN, engine and chassis numbers
- Body, glass, lights, tyres
- Interior, odometer, fuel or battery level
- Keys, documents, accessories, EV charging cable
- At least 11 photos and a 360° video
If no written objection is received within 24 hours of receiving the report, it is deemed approved and loading continues.
Insurance and force majeure
- The car travels under cargo insurance from loading to the customs zone. Insurance is charged at cost.
- You receive the insurer, policy number, sum insured, exclusions and deductible in writing.
- If damage occurs in transit, we prepare the claim documents and follow them through to the result.
- In a force majeure event we send written notice within 3 working days, with an alternative route and a cost breakdown.
Cancellation and refunds
| Stage | If you cancel |
|---|---|
| Before payment to the seller | Documented costs are deducted; the rest is refunded within 10 working days. |
| After payment to the seller, before export documents | The seller contract's return terms apply; we assist you through the process. |
| After export documents are ready or transport has started | No refund. |
Spare parts support
For Chinese cars bought through us we offer long-term spare parts sourcing and delivery. This is not a free-parts promise: we find, quote and deliver the right part.
Everything in writing
All terms are agreed in writing by email or message. Points discussed verbally get forgotten and later turn into doubt and losses for both sides, so neither side relies on verbal promises that cannot be proven.