This GTA 5 Online Import Export guide is tailored for players aiming to thrive as successful CEOs within the multiplayer landscape, specifically through the Vehicle Cargo venture. The Grand Theft Auto Online: Import/Export DLC, unveiled in December 2016 by Rockstar Games, introduced this exciting new business opportunity within the Executive Office. While the premise appears straightforward, the operation comes with unique perks and challenges that every reader of this GTA Online Import Export guide should familiarize themselves with.
Engaging in the Import Export business stands out as one of the most lucrative ways to earn cash in the game, accessible to all players right after completing the initial stages. This guide will walk you through the steps to obtain the business and strategies to maximize profits.
GTA 5 Online Import Export: Business Overview
In Grand Theft Auto 5 Online, the Import Export business fundamentally revolves around the Vehicle Warehouse, governed by the CEO Office. As suggested by its name, you’ll be tasked with illegally importing (stealing) cars to your warehouse for resale to the highest bidders. However, this particular business is intertwined with other gameplay elements, distinguishing it from other ventures in the popular multiplayer game.
Before obtaining the Vehicle Warehouse, you’ll need to secure an Executive or CEO Office in Los Santos. Thus, readers of this GTA 5 Online Import Export guide will need to invest in this additional property prerequisitely, as it represents a considerable financial commitment. It’s wise to accumulate sufficient funds beforehand; consider consulting the Grand Theft Auto 5 money guide for valuable strategies.
Acquiring the Import Export Business in GTA 5 Online
As previously mentioned, owning a CEO Office is a prerequisite for venturing into the Import Export business. Rockstar Games presents players with four different office options throughout Los Santos, each with distinct costs:
- Maze Bank West CEO Office: $1,000,000
- Arcadius Business Center CEO Office: $2,250,000
- Lombank West CEO Office: $2,250,000
- Maze Bank Tower CEO Office: $4,000,000
Although you can choose any office you prefer, if your finances are constrained, the GTA 5 Online Import Export guide recommends starting with the Maze Bank West CEO Office. However, you have the flexibility to switch office locations later. Furthermore, players on PC, Xbox One, or PlayStation 4 who possess the Grand Theft Auto Online: Criminal Enterprises Starter Pack can get the Maze Bank West CEO Office at no cost.
After securing your CEO Office and completing the initial setup, follow these steps to purchase the Import Export business in Grand Theft Auto 5 Online:
- Register as a CEO via the Interaction Menu.
- Access your CEO Office and log into the SecuroServe network on the primary computer.
- Select the Vehicle Cargo tab.
- Choose a location for your Import Export business and click on the Buy button.
- Select an interior design for your Vehicle Warehouse and click Confirm.
Rockstar Games provides players with nine potential locations to establish their Import Export business in Grand Theft Auto 5 Online. Although the internal layout is uniform across all sites, each comes at a different price point. Below are the locations and their respective base costs:
- La Mesa Vehicle Warehouse – $1,500,000
- El Burro Heights Vehicle Warehouse – $1,635,000
- Elysian Island Vehicle Warehouse – $1,950,000
- Los Santos International Airport Vehicle Warehouse – $2,170,000
- Los Santos International Airport Vehicle Warehouse 2 – $2,300,000
- Davis Vehicle Warehouse – $2,495,000
- Cypress Flats Vehicle Warehouse – $2,675,000
- La Puerta Vehicle Warehouse – $2,735,000
- Murrieta Heights Vehicle Warehouse – $2,850,000
Select any location based on your financial capacity and preference. For those short on cash, the GTA 5 Online Import Export guide suggests starting with the La Mesa Vehicle Warehouse for $1,500,000.
Running the Import Export Business in GTA 5 Online
Managing the Import Export business deviates from the typical gameplay in GTA 5 Online. Unlike other businesses that require direct visits for operation, much of the work for the Vehicle Cargo Warehouse occurs from within the CEO Office. It’s important for GTA 5 Online Import Export guide readers to realize that two primary actions are essential for the business:
- Acquire or import unique NPC vehicles for the warehouse.
- Sell these vehicles to customers at a profit.
To successfully source vehicles for your Vehicle Cargo Warehouse, follow these steps:
- Register as a CEO from the Interaction Menu.
- Go to your CEO Office and log into the SecuroServe network via the main computer.
- Click on the Vehicle Cargo tab.
- Select the green inverted pyramid icon on the map representing your Vehicle Cargo Warehouse.
- Click the Source Vehicle button and confirm your selection.
- You’ll automatically be logged out of the SecuroServe computer, initiating the vehicle sourcing mission.
- Proceed to the specified location given by the Office Assistant to locate and acquire the vehicle.
- Deliver the vehicle back to your warehouse to complete the sourcing mission.
It’s important for GTA 5 Online Import Export guide readers to recognize certain nuances in this process. The game randomly selects from three vehicle tiers: Top Tier, Mid Tier, and Standard Tier. Top Tier vehicles command the highest resale value. Below is a list of vehicles available for sourcing:
Top Tier Vehicles:
- Pfister 811
- Emperor ETR1
- Vapid FMJ
- Declasse Mamba
- Pegasi Osiris
- Pegasi Reaper
- Albany Roosevelt Valor
- Benefactor Stirling GT
- Progen T20
- Progen Tire
- Grotti X80 Proto
- Truffade Z-Type
Mid Tier Vehicles:
- Cheetah Caves
- Invetero Coquette BlackFin
- Invetero Coquette Classic
- Overflod Entity XF
- Obey Everyone
- Dewbauchee Seven-70
- Karin Sultan RS
- Lampadati Tropos Rallye
- Bravado Loser
- Pegassi Zentorno
Standard Tier Vehicles:
- Albany Alpha
- Bravado Banshee 900R
- Grotti Beast GTS
- Benefactor Feltzer
- Dinka Jester
- Dewbauchee Massacre
- Imponte Nightshade
- Declasse Sabre Turbo Custom
- Declasse Tampa
- Grotti Tourism R
Rockstar Games introduced 15 types of vehicle sourcing missions, including:
- Stationary Vehicle
- Stationary Car Bomb
- Amateur Thief
- Detective Work
- Mobile Vehicles
- Key
- Car Meet
- Heist Crew
- Race Bet
- Photo Shoot
- Movie Stunt
- Closed Circuit
- Traffic Stop
- Crime Scene
- Tail
Your objectives and approach will vary based on the specific mission you undertake.
Additionally, the GTA 5 Online Import Export guide warns about potential adversaries during sourcing missions. Expect to face enemy NPCs or even a wanted level while delivering cars to your Vehicle Cargo Warehouse. Their primary objective is to damage your vehicle as you transport it, which adds to the difficulty.
It’s advisable to minimize damage to the sourced vehicle, as players will incur repair costs upon delivering to the warehouse. Repair expenses can soar up to $34,000, prompting players to eliminate enemies swiftly from a safe distance before proceeding.
If you have a Cargobob in Grand Theft Auto 5 Online, consider airlifting vehicles to mitigate damage risks. Using the Cargobob is particularly beneficial given the unpredictable driving behaviors of NPCs, which some players suspect were modified post the GTA Online: Import/Export DLC update, leading to higher collision rates with player-operated vehicles.
The Vehicle Cargo Warehouse can accommodate up to 40 stolen vehicles. Out of these, only 32 individual cars can be sourced, categorized as follows:
- 12 Top Tier Cars
- 10 Mid Tier Cars
- 10 Standard Tier Cars
While sourcing missions may randomly determine vehicle tiers, players can manipulate the system to ensure they receive only Top Tier cars, albeit after investing significant time in the business.
The GTA 5 Online Import Export guide suggests that players maintain ten Mid Tier and ten Standard Tier vehicles permanently within the Warehouse, refraining from selling them. This strategy prevents the game from assigning vehicles from those tiers, resulting in exclusive access to Top Tier vehicles for future sourcing missions.
With that understanding, let’s shift focus to the selling aspect of the Vehicle Cargo Warehouse.
Exporting Vehicle Cargo in Grand Theft Auto 5 Online
While sourcing vehicles to the Vehicle Cargo Warehouse is predominantly done from the CEO Office, the actual selling can be executed directly from your Warehouse. Here’s how to sell vehicle cargo in Grand Theft Auto 5 Online:
- Navigate to your Vehicle Cargo Warehouse and access the Ad-Hawk Autos laptop located inside.
- A list of imported vehicles will display. Filter by value, name, range, or position. Choose the vehicle(s) you wish to export and hit the Export button.
- You will be presented with three potential buyers (Private, Showroom, and Specialist Dealer). Make your selection.
- Customize the car to your liking.
- Confirm the modifications to initiate the sale mission.
- Deliver the car to the specified destination within the allotted time to finalize the transaction.
It’s important to acknowledge that, similar to sourcing, there are critical aspects to consider when selling. As previously noted, Top Tier vehicles yield the highest payouts. Thus, utilizing the Top Tier-only sourcing strategy will maximize profits when you sell.
Below is a breakdown of profit margins for each vehicle tier:
- Top Tier: $80,000
- Mid Tier: $50,000
- Standard Tier: $30,000
However, players should keep in mind that any damage inflicted on the car during delivery will decrease the final payout. Similar to sourcing, selling vehicles also attracts hostile NPCs aiming to damage your acquisitions. Therefore, the GTA 5 Online Import Export guide recommends that you promptly abandon the car(s) in a secure area upon enemy appearance and deal with them before returning to the delivery vehicle.
Furthermore, you can sell a maximum of four vehicles simultaneously. However, this is best done when supported by other members of your organization; if you’re playing solo, targeting one vehicle at a time is advisable. Just like during sourcing, utilizing the Cargobob helicopter to airlift vehicles can add a layer of security to the delivery process.
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