How to Import Electric Scooters from China

To import electric scooters from China safely, verify the supplier before comparing price: confirm it is a real manufacturer, check certification and export documents for your destination market, agree on MOQ, payment terms and lead time in writing, and plan spare parts and warranty before the first container. STARGO is a factory-direct manufacturer with a 10-unit MOQ, PSPV per container, and complete export documentation.

Reviewed by Ainne Zhang (Operations Director) · Last verified 2026-07-26

Key facts

• Verify the supplier first — a factory can change specs and stand behind warranty; a trading company adds a margin and a communication layer
• Confirm certification for YOUR market before ordering — requirements differ by country and vehicle class
• Agree MOQ, payment terms, lead time and incoterm in writing on a proforma invoice
• Plan spare parts and warranty before the first container, not after a fault appears
• STARGO: manufacturer, MOQ 10 (mixed container), 30–50% T/T + balance on PSPV, 7–15 working days

Step 1 — Start with the supplier, not the price

The most common first-order mistake is comparing FOB prices before confirming who the seller actually is. A factory-direct manufacturer builds the vehicle, can adjust the specification (motor, battery, colour, packaging), and is the party that ultimately honours the warranty. A trading company or sourcing agent sits between you and the factory, which adds a margin and a communication layer and can make after-sales slower. Neither is wrong, but the price you compare only means something once you know the supplier type. STARGO is a manufacturer — overseas customers deal with the factory in Guangxi directly rather than through an agent.

Step 2 — Verify the manufacturer before you pay

Step 3 — Confirm the commercial terms in writing

Before paying a deposit, confirm the commercial terms on a proforma invoice so both sides share one reference. The essentials are: minimum order quantity (MOQ) and whether a container can be mixed across models; unit price and the incoterm (EXW, FOB, CIF or DDP); payment terms; production lead time; and the export mode (CBU, SKD or CKD). STARGO's standard terms are a 10-unit MOQ with mixed-container flexibility, a 30%–50% T/T deposit with the balance paid after the buyer confirms the pre-shipment production video (PSPV), and a 7–15 working-day lead time (15–20 for larger orders). Paying the balance against the PSPV is a practical safeguard for a first-time importer because it ties the final payment to a shared acceptance reference.

Step 4 — Check certification and documents for your market

Certification requirements are set by the destination market, not the factory, and they differ by country and by vehicle class (bicycle-class e-bike, moped, motorcycle, tricycle). China 3C applies to certified STARGO models (certificate number per model); CE, EEC, CB, COC and SONCAP are available on application per market, with destination approvals confirmed per model and market. Ask your customs broker two questions early: what is the HS code for this vehicle class in my country, and does the vehicle need type approval or homologation before it can be registered? For any model with a lithium battery, UN38.3 test reports and MSDS are required for shipment — confirm document readiness at the order stage, because these depend on the exact battery configuration.

Step 5 — Plan after-sales before the first container

The difference between a repeat importer and a one-time buyer is usually after-sales. Plan it before the first order, not after a customer returns with a fault. Bundle a model-matched spare-parts package — controllers, chargers, brake parts, lighting, common wear items — into the same container as the vehicles; this is the most cost-effective way to start local service. Confirm the warranty in writing: STARGO's standard terms are 12 months on motor and controller, 12 months on lithium battery (≥70% capacity), 6 months on lead-acid battery (≥60% capacity) and 24 months on the frame, counted from the bill-of-lading date, with warranty parts shippable on subsequent orders.

The import process, step by step

• Inquiry — send your market, target models, quantity and preferred battery to the supplier
• Proforma invoice — confirm price, MOQ, incoterm, payment, lead time and export mode in writing
• Optional sample — order one unit to verify build quality before a full container (recommended for new relationships)
• Deposit — pay the T/T deposit to the company account to start production
• Production & PSPV — the factory builds the order and films a pre-shipment production video
• Balance & documents — confirm the PSPV, pay the balance, receive CI, PL, CO, Form E, B/L and battery documents
• Shipping & clearance — vessel departs; clear customs with your broker using the document set

Frequently asked questions

How do I know if a Chinese electric scooter supplier is a real factory?

Ask for the registered legal entity name and factory address, request a live video factory tour, and check that the payment account matches the company name. A manufacturer can also show a per-container pre-shipment production video and supply full export documents. STARGO is Guangxi Xinli New Energy Technology Co., Ltd., assembling two-wheelers in Guigang and tricycles in Chongzuo, Guangxi.

What is a safe MOQ for a first order?

A container that can be mixed across models keeps first-order risk low, because you trial several models in one shipment rather than committing to one. STARGO's MOQ is 10 units with mixed-container flexibility, which suits a distributor testing a new market.

Should I order a sample before a full container?

For a new supplier relationship, ordering one sample unit to verify build quality, specification and documents before committing to a container is a low-cost way to reduce risk. STARGO accepts sample orders on many models; feasibility and terms are confirmed per model at the quotation stage.

What payment terms protect a first-time importer?

Paying a partial deposit to start production and the balance against a shared acceptance reference is safer than 100% upfront. STARGO uses a 30%–50% T/T deposit with the balance paid only after the buyer confirms the pre-shipment production video (PSPV), so the final payment is tied to verified production.

What certification do I need to import electric scooters?

Certification depends on the specific model and destination market — requirements differ by country and vehicle class. China 3C applies to certified STARGO models (certificate number per model); CE/EEC is available on application, with CB/COC/SONCAP also available on application and other market approvals confirmed per model. Confirm the exact requirement and HS code with your local customs broker before ordering.

How long does it take from order to delivery?

STARGO's production lead time is 7–15 working days after the deposit (15–20 for larger orders). Sea-freight transit time on top of that depends on the destination port and is confirmed at the quotation stage.

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