Requirements for Duty-Free Car Purchase for Returned Overseas Students & Graduation Certificate Application Process

📚 Requirements for Duty-Free Car Purchase for Returned Overseas Students & Graduation Certificate Application Process | 留学生免税车购买条件与毕业证明申请流程

For many overseas students returning to China, purchasing a vehicle is a major step in settling back home. China offers a special tax exemption policy that allows eligible returnees to buy a domestically produced car without paying vehicle purchase tax, leading to significant savings. However, the process relies heavily on proper documentation, especially the graduation certificate and its official verification. This article explains the eligibility conditions, the application procedure for the required graduation certificate, and the step-by-step process to secure a duty-free car.

对于许多回国留学生而言，购车是回国安顿的重要一步。中国提供一项特殊的免税政策，允许符合条件的回国人员购买国产汽车并免征车辆购置税，可大幅节省开支。但整个过程十分依赖正确的文书工作，尤其是毕业证明及其官方认证。本文详解资格条件、所需毕业证明的申请流程以及获取免税车的分步操作。

1. Policy Overview | 政策概述

China’s duty-free car policy for returned overseas students is jointly administered by the General Administration of Customs and the State Administration of Taxation. It exempts qualified individuals from paying the 10% vehicle purchase tax when buying a domestically manufactured car from designated automakers. This incentive is designed to attract talents who have completed their studies abroad to return and contribute to the country.

中国针对回国留学生的免税车政策由海关总署和国家税务总局共同管理。该政策免除符合条件者在购买指定国产汽车时需缴纳的10%车辆购置税。此激励措施旨在吸引已完成海外学业的人才回国贡献力量。

The exemption applies to a wide range of models from joint-venture and domestic brands, and the savings can range from tens of thousands to over a hundred thousand RMB depending on the vehicle price. However, strict rules govern who can benefit, the timeframe for applying, and the required paperwork.

免税范围涵盖合资及自主品牌的多种车型，根据车价不同，节省金额从数万元到十几万元不等。但政策对受益人群、申请时限和所需文件有严格规定。

2. Eligibility Criteria for Duty-Free Cars | 免税车购买资格条件

A returning student must meet all of the following conditions to be eligible: hold a degree (bachelor’s, master’s, or doctorate) from a recognised overseas institution; have studied abroad for at least 270 days (about 9 months); return to China within two years after graduation (the date on the diploma); and be a first-time returnee who has not previously enjoyed a similar tax exemption. Additionally, the applicant must provide a valid ‘Letter of Certification for Returned Overseas Students’ issued by the Chinese Service Centre for Scholarly Exchange (CSCSE).

回国留学生须同时满足以下全部条件：持有境外认可院校颁发的学位（学士、硕士或博士）；在境外累计学习时间不少于270天（约9个月）；毕业（以学位证书日期为准）后两年内回国；首次入境回国且此前未享受过同类免税政策。此外，申请人须出具由中国教育部留学服务中心（CSCSE）颁发的《留学回国人员证明》或相关认证文件。

Note: short-term exchange students without a degree, language programme participants, and those who obtained only diplomas or certificates below bachelor level are generally not entitled. The policy strictly requires a formal degree awarded by an accredited foreign university.

注意：无学位的短期交换生、语言课程参与者以及仅获得专科或非学位证书的学生通常不具备资格。政策严格要求由正规外国大学授予的正式学位。

3. Overseas Study Duration Requirement | 境外学习时间要求

The 270-day minimum study period is calculated based on the actual dates of entry and exit stamps in the passport. Days spent outside the country for travel, internship, or holidays during the study period do not count against the total; only days physically present in the country of study while enrolled in a degree programme are counted. Students who completed their programme entirely online from China are not eligible.

270天的最低学习时长依据护照上的实际出入境印章日期计算。学习期间因旅行、实习或假期离开求学国的天数不计入总数；只有在学位课程注册期间实际身在求学国的天数才被计算。全程在中国线上完成学业的学生不具备资格。

If a student studied in multiple countries, the total days across all study locations can be aggregated, provided each period is part of the same degree programme and the aggregate reaches 270 days. It is crucial to keep all entry/exit records clean, as customs officials will carefully cross-check the passport stamps.

若学生在多国留学，可将在不同学习地点的天数合并计算，前提是各段时间均属于同一学位项目且累计达到270天。务必确保护照出入境章清晰，海关人员会仔细核对。

4. The Role of Graduation Certificate | 毕业证明的作用

The graduation certificate (degree/diploma) is the cornerstone of the entire duty-free car application. Without a valid degree certificate, the applicant cannot proceed with the CSCSE authentication or the customs declaration. The certificate must be the official version issued by the overseas university, showing the degree title, date of conferral, and the student’s name as it appears in the passport.

毕业证明（学位证书）是整个免税车申请的基石。没有有效的学位证书，申请人无法进行教育部留学服务中心认证，也无法向海关申报。证书必须是由海外大学颁发的官方版本，载明学位名称、授予日期以及与学生护照姓名一致的名字。

If the certificate is not in Chinese or English, a notarised translation is required. Some universities provide digital copies via secure platforms, but customs generally requires the original hard copy or a certified true copy during the verification stage.

若证书非中英文，需提供公证翻译件。部分大学通过安全平台提供电子版证书，但海关在核验阶段通常要求查看原件或经核证的副本。

5. How to Obtain Graduation Certificate (Degree/Certificate) | 如何获取毕业证明（学位证书）

Most students receive their diploma during the graduation ceremony or have it mailed to their permanent address. If you have already returned to China and your diploma is still with the university, contact the registrar’s office promptly to request international mail delivery with tracking. Many universities now offer a ‘e-degree’ service integrated with China’s CSCSE system, allowing direct verification without a physical copy, but you should still secure the original document.

多数学生在毕业典礼上领取学位证书，或由校方邮寄至其永久地址。若您已回国而证书仍留在大学，应尽快联系注册办公室，要求通过可追踪的国际快递寄送。许多大学现在提供与中国留学服务中心系统对接的“电子学位”服务，无需实体证书即可直接验证，但仍应设法取得原件。

If the original certificate is lost, you must apply for a replacement or an official letter of degree confirmation from the university. This process can take several weeks, so start early. Keep all correspondence with the university, as customs sometimes asks for proof of mailing and tracking details.

若原件丢失，必须向大学申请补发证书或官方学位确认函。此过程可能耗时数周，故应尽早开始。保留与大学的所有往来邮件，因海关有时会要求提供邮寄证明和跟踪详情。

6. Applying for Chinese Education Ministry Certification | 申请中国教育部学历认证流程

The official recognition of your foreign degree by CSCSE (the Chinese Service Centre for Scholarly Exchange) is a compulsory step. You need to create an account on the CSCSE online portal, fill in personal and academic details, upload scanned copies of the passport, visa, entry/exit stamps, degree certificate, and a recent photo. A processing fee applies, currently around 360 RMB.

由中国教育部留学服务中心（CSCSE）对国外学位进行官方认证是必须项。您需在CSCSE网上平台上注册账号，填写个人及学业信息，上传护照、签证、出入境章、学位证书和近期照片的扫描件。需支付认证费，目前约360元人民币。

After submission, the processing time is typically 10-20 working days. Once approved, you will receive an electronic ‘Foreign Degree Certification Report’ and a corresponding QR code for verification. This report is what customs uses to confirm your degree validity, not the original university certificate alone.

提交后，认证处理时间一般为10–20个工作日。审批通过后，您将获得电子版《国外学历学位认证书》及对应的验证二维码。海关凭此认证报告确认学位有效性，而非仅凭大学原始证书。

7. Duty-Free Car Application Steps (Customs) | 免税车申请步骤（海关）

With the CSCSE certification in hand, you can start the customs application. The main steps: (1) Prepare all required documents (see checklist below). (2) Visit the local customs office in your place of residence (the office that handles vehicle import/export formalities). (3) Submit the application for a ‘Certificate of Tax Exemption for Returned Overseas Students Purchasing a Locally Made Car’. (4) Customs reviews and, if approved, issues the ‘Approval Form for Purchase of Locally Made Vehicle’ (commonly called the ‘Customs seal’). This approval is valid for 6 months.

持有CSCSE认证后，即可开始海关申请。主要步骤：(1) 准备所有必需文件（参见下文清单）。(2) 前往户籍所在地主管海关（办理车辆进出口手续的科室）。(3) 提交《留学回国人员购买国产小汽车免税证明》申请。(4) 海关审核通过后，出具《准予购车通知书》（俗称“关封”），该批准书有效期为6个月。

After obtaining the customs seal, you contact the designated car manufacturer’s sales department or an authorised duty-free car service agency. They will guide you through vehicle selection, configuration, contract signing, and final payment. The car will be delivered to a dealership near you, and the tax exemption is applied at the vehicle registration stage.

拿到关封后，联系指汽车生产厂家销售部门或授权免税车服务中介。他们会指导您选车、选配、签合同并支付尾款。车辆将发运至您附近的经销商处，免税资格在车辆注册登记环节落实。

8. Required Documents Checklist | 所需材料清单

The following documents are typically required for the customs application. All copies should be presented alongside originals for verification.

以下文件通常在海关申请时所需。所有复印件均须出示原件以供核对。

Valid passport with original entry/exit stamps and visa pages

有效护照（含原始出入境章及签证页）
Original degree certificate from the overseas university

境外大学原始学位证书
CSCSE Foreign Degree Certification Report (electronic or printed)

教育部留学服务中心《国外学历学位认证书》（电子版或打印件）
Chinese ID card (resident identity card)

居民身份证
Household registration booklet (hukou) or residence permit

户口簿或居住证
Two 1-inch colour photos with white background

两寸白底彩色近照两张
Customs application form (filled on site)

海关申请表（现场填写）
Employment certificate or proof of settlement in China (some regions require it)

在穗/在沪等工作证明或定居证明（部分地区要求）

Always check with your local customs authority for any additional regional requirements before the visit.

前往办理前，务必向当地海关确认有无额外地区性要求。

9. Key Deadlines and Restrictions | 关键时限与限制

The most critical deadline: you must apply for the customs approval within one year from the date of your first entry after graduation (the date stamped on your passport when you returned to China as a graduate). The entry date used is the first time you arrived in China after completing your degree. If you returned home for a visit before graduation and then went back, the clock usually starts at the post-graduation entry.

最关键的时限：必须在毕业后的首次入境日（护照上盖上入境章的日期）起一年内向海关提交申请。以完成学位后首次回国入境的那一次为准。如果在毕业前曾短暂回国探亲后又出境，计时通常自毕业后那次入境算起。

The customs seal is valid for 6 months; you must place the order with the manufacturer within that period. The car must be only from the authorised list of domestically produced models, and sometimes the manufacturer offers dedicated duty-free trim levels or wait times. Used cars, imported vehicles, and motorcycles are not eligible.

关封有效期为6个月，须在此期限内向厂家下单。车辆必须从指定的国产车型列表中选取，厂商有时会提供专属的免税配置或等待时间。二手车、进口车和摩托车不适用本政策。

Each qualifying student may only benefit from this duty exemption once in a lifetime. Therefore, if you have already purchased a tax-exempt car under this scheme years ago, you cannot use it again.

每位符合条件的留学生终身只能享受一次此免税优惠。换言之，如果数年前已通过此政策购买了免税车，则不能再使用。

10. Common Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them | 常见误区及规避方法

Mistake 1: assuming that a degree certificate alone is enough. Without the CSCSE authentication, the customs office will reject your application outright. Always complete the online certification before visiting customs.

误区一：以为仅凭学位证书即可。没有CSCSE认证，海关会直接拒收申请。务必先完成在线认证再跑海关。

Mistake 2: miscounting the 270-day study period. Some students include days of travel within Europe or weekends in neighbouring countries, which are not in the country of study. Carefully tally only days when you were physically present in the nation where your university is located, with corresponding passport stamps.

误区二：270天学习天数计算错误。部分学生将去欧洲旅行或邻国过周末的日子计入，但这些不在求学国内。应仔细统计仅实际身在大学所在国、并有对应出入境章的天数。

Mistake 3: missing the one-year application window. Many students delay until after finding a job or getting a driver’s licence, only to find the one-year grace period has expired. Start the authentication and documentary preparation immediately upon arrival in China.

误区三：错失一年申请窗口。很多学生等到找到工作或取得驾照后才着手，结果发现一年宽限期已过。应在抵达中国后立即着手认证和文件准备。

11. Frequently Asked Questions | 常见问题

Q: Can I purchase the car in a city different from my registered residence? A: Yes, but you must submit the customs application at the local customs office where your hukou is registered. After obtaining the seal, you can arrange delivery to any city.

问：可以在户籍地以外的城市购车吗？答：可以，但必须向户籍所在地海关提交申请。拿到关封后，可安排车辆发运至任意城市。

Q: What if my university provides only a digital degree and no physical certificate? A: Most CSCSE portals now accept digitally verifiable credentials. In such cases, download your e-degree and upload it together with a verification link. Customs will also accept a certified letter from the university if needed.

问：如果大学只提供电子学位，没有实体证书怎么办？答：多数CSCSE系统现已接受可在线验证的数字凭据。下载电子学位同时上传验证链接即可。必要时海关也接受大学出具的认证函。

Q: Does the duty exemption cover the full vehicle purchase tax? A: Yes, the entire 10% vehicle purchase tax is waived. However, other fees such as insurance, registration, and delivery charges are still payable by the buyer.

问：免税是否包含全部车辆购置税？答：是的，10%的车辆购置税全免。但保险、上牌、发运费等其他费用仍需由买方支付。

12. Summary and Final Checklist | 总结与最终清单

Securing a duty-free car as a returned overseas student is a valuable benefit, but it requires careful planning. Verify your eligibility: degree from an accredited institution, at least 270 days overseas study, return within two years of graduation, and no prior use of the benefit. Apply for CSCSE certification immediately after receiving your graduation certificate. Then, within one year of your post-graduation first entry, submit all documents to customs, obtain the approval, and place your order with the manufacturer. Keep copies of everything.

作为回国留学生获取免税车是一项宝贵的福利，但需要精心规划。请确认资格：认可院校的学位、至少270天境外学习、毕业两年内回国且此前未使用过该优惠。领取毕业证书后立即申请CSCSE认证。然后，在毕业后的首次入境日起一年内，备齐所有文件向海关提交申请，取得关封后向厂家下单。所有材料保留副本。

The final document checklist before customs visit: passport, original degree certificate, CSCSE report, ID card, hukou, photos, and any regional forms. With these in hand, you can drive home a new car with substantial tax savings.

前往海关前的最终文件清单：护照、学位证书原件、CSCSE认证书、身份证、户口本、照片及当地要求的任何表格。备好这些，您就可以开回一辆新车，并节省可观的税款。

Published by TutorHao | International Student Policy & Life Series | aleveler.com

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Requirements for Duty-Free Car Purchase for Returned Overseas Students & Graduation Certificate Application Process | 留学生免税车购买条件与毕业证明申请流程