Mohan Entry: Pitfalls & How to Avoid Them

1. Deposit scams and slow refunds

Most problems at Mohan are not about the border itself — they happen before you arrive, around the customs deposit. A few rules keep your money safe:

• Transfer the deposit only to the agency's corporate bank account. Payments to personal accounts are difficult to recover.
• Get a written receipt stating the amount and the refund terms, including the expected timeline.
• Be wary of very low service fees. A company that makes no money on the fee may be planning to use your deposit for its own cash flow, returning it late — or not at all. Recovering a deposit from an uncooperative company can mean a lawsuit in a Chinese court that takes 1–2 years.

2. Unqualified agencies

A qualified travel agency holds a valid travel business operation permit (a licence number in the format L-YN-CJ100081) and has deposited guarantee funds — licensed agencies hold RMB 1.6 million with the tourism authority. This guarantee is what backs your vehicle's customs entry.

Unqualified companies cannot provide that customs guarantee, so customs may require the full deposit — roughly 50% of the vehicle's value — for the whole trip. Before paying anyone, verify the licence number and, if possible, confirm it with the tourism authority.

3. Paperwork mistakes

Customs officers at Mohan check documents carefully, and a single mismatch means waiting hours or being turned back. Check these before you travel:

• VIN on the temporary import permit matches the vehicle's actual VIN.
• Vehicle registration shows the driver's name, matching the passport.
• Passports valid for 6+ months; an International Driving Permit is recommended alongside your national licence.
• Vehicle photos (front, back, sides and VIN close-up) match the actual car — customs compares them at inspection.

4. Vehicle inspection issues

The vehicle is inspected at the border. Common reasons for delay or rejection:

• Heavy modifications or non-standard parts that do not match the registration photos.
• Window tint or film that reduces visibility beyond local limits.
• A dirty or unreadable VIN plate — clean the area before inspection.
• A car that clearly does not match its registration documents (different colour, body kit, roof rack).

5. Arriving at the wrong time

Waiting times at Mohan vary a lot by day and season:

• Weekday mornings (8–10 AM) are the fastest — often 1–2 hours total.
• Afternoons, weekends and public holidays can stretch to 3–5 hours.
• Peak seasons (October–November and March–April) see longer queues.

Arriving with permits and insurance pre-arranged reduces the wait considerably — you drive through the inspection lane instead of starting paperwork from zero.

6. Overstaying your permit

The Temporary Import Permit is valid for up to 6 months and is cancelled when you exit. If you stay beyond the expiry date you are driving illegally, which can mean daily fines, vehicle impoundment and serious delays at exit. If your plans change, contact your agency before the permit expires — it may be possible to adjust it in advance.

7. An exit plan you cannot fulfil

Your application states planned entry and exit borders, and customs expects the vehicle to leave through a designated temporary-import border. Check before you start that your planned exit point accepts foreign temporary imports — some crossings are one-way or seasonal for vehicles. Keep your itinerary realistic and consistent with what you applied for.