First Container Import Checklist — Truck & Pickup Body Parts

1. Before you request a quote

A quotation is only accurate if it is built on the right inputs. The five things that change a price most are: vehicle generation (not just the brand), left- or right-hand drive, quantity per SKU, packaging (bulk carton vs retail-ready), and incoterm. Give all five at the first email and the quote comes back in hours instead of rounds of questions.

Vehicle generation + year range — e.g. Isuzu D-Max RG01 2020–2023, not “D-Max”.
OEM cross-reference numbers where you have them (e.g. 8983950310 for the D-Max side lamp).
LHD or RHD destination market — headlamps, mirrors and some trim are handed.
Quantity per SKU and the full mix you are considering — mixing changes packing and loading.
Destination port or door address, and whether you want FOB, CIF or DDP pricing.
Target retail or wholesale price if you are willing to share it — it tells us which line (OE-style vs modified) to quote.
Packaging needs: neutral cartons, your logo, retail-ready, UPC/barcode, or drop-ship ready.

2. Documents to line up early

Export documents are our side, but the import side is yours, and it should start before production. Conformity schemes and import licences often have processing times longer than production. Confirm the scheme for your HS codes with your broker now, not when the container is ready.

Commercial invoice and packing list — issued by us; ask for your language (Spanish, French, Russian, Arabic) at order confirmation.
Bill of lading — issued by the forwarder after the shipping instructions cut-off.
Certificate of origin — CCPIT-issued; legalisation adds 3–7 working days if your customs requires it.
Conformity file — test reports, product data sheets, photos, HS codes; we supply these per SKU.
Import licence / registration / tax ID — importer-side, but confirm the number format early so the documents match.
Cargo tracking note (CTN/BESC/ECTN) where required — the reference must be on the bill of lading, so tell us before booking.

Stage	Typical duration (estimate)	What you should be doing
Quote → proforma invoice	1–3 days	Confirm fitment, quantities, incoterm, packaging.
Sample / pre-production approval	5–10 days	Approve photos or a physical sample; sign the PI.
Production (stock items)	7–15 days	Confirm label artwork and carton marks.
Production (new tooling / painted)	15–30 days	Book the conformity inspection if required.
QC + loading	2–3 days	Receive QC photo pack and loading photos.
Ocean / rail transit	7–45 days depending on lane	Send original documents or telex release to your broker.

Watch out

The most common delay we see on a first container is a conformity inspection booked after production instead of during it. Book the agency when you approve the sample.

3. Before production starts

Once the proforma invoice is signed, three decisions are locked and expensive to change later: the fitment list, the packaging artwork, and the loading plan. Review all three in writing. A wrong part number on a carton label discovered at destination costs a full container cycle to fix.

Sample approval in writing — photos with a ruler or a physical sample; note the approved revision/date.
Payment terms confirmed: normally 30% deposit, balance before shipment; LC at sight for larger orders.
Packaging artwork approved: carton size, label position, barcode, language.
Loading plan agreed: which SKUs on the floor, which on top, weight per pallet or stack.
QC standard agreed: what “pass” means for lens scratches, paint match, connector fit and panel gaps.

4. Before the container is sealed

Ask for two evidence packs: a QC photo pack per SKU and loading photos inside the container. They cost nothing and settle most damage or shortage disputes later. Verify that the loading count matches the packing list before the doors close.

QC photo pack: quantity, carton marks, product close-ups, label, accessories/hardware.
Loading photos: container number, empty container, half-loaded, full-loaded, sealed.
Packing list matches the loaded quantity — count, carton numbers, net/gross weight, CBM.
HS codes on the invoice match what your broker will declare.
Shipping instructions sent before the cut-off; confirm the bill of lading draft.

5. On arrival

Inspect before you clear and distribute, and photograph everything. Most cargo insurance claims fail not because the damage was not real, but because there is no evidence of the condition at the time of unpacking.

Photograph the container seal and the doors before opening.
Count cartons against the packing list; note any shortage on the delivery receipt before signing.
Inspect cartons for crushing or water marks; open damaged cartons with photos at each layer.
Report damage to the forwarder and insurer within the window stated in your policy.
Log fitment issues per SKU — send us the VIN/model and photos; it feeds the next production batch.

Take-away checklist