Many buyers face challenges with quality and trust when looking for used excavators from China, often worrying about potential scams and machine reliability.
The answer to the question of buying a used excavator from China is to work with a supplier you know who will be there to help you inspect the equipment and basically make sure you’re getting the deal done the right way. Then, if something goes wrong, you’ll still have local people you trust to help you.
Now, the next step is to look at the key selection factors for high-end High quality second hand machines.
What to Look for in a Supplier?
Choosing the right supplier is the first step in getting high-quality used excavators. But, in many cases, they’re going to be your largest hurdle. A good supplier, though, will often answer many of these questions for you or provide enough data to answer questions for yourself. A good supplier will give you extensive machine histories, emissions testing certifications, and be upfront with you.
You might do an internet search for their company name and see what you come up with. You might go to industry forums and ask people if they’ve dealt with this company. You need to talk to them. How quick are they getting back to you? How knowledgeable are they?
If you’re living in the United States and you think, “Well, how in the world am I going to deal with somebody in the UK, Europe, China, or wherever,” trust me, you will overcome that. But the only way you can do that is by developing a relationship with those people. Finally, request references from people who have actually bought these machines from the company you’re sourcing from.
Can I Import an Excavator from China?
Yes, you can buy used machines from China. Yes, you can bring them to our country. But, you’ve got to follow the rules, or they will send them back to wherever you’re from and tell you to start over. You need to understand all the customs requirements in your country.
If you’re intimidated by that, then tell the people in ECI, “Hey, I need the name of a good freight forwarder in Houston, Texas, who can handle these inbound containers and get them into my yard, then call me when it’s time for you to pick it up and exit the country.” That’s the best advice anyone can give
you if you’ve never imported anything before. Either be up front, spend a few more bucks, and let people who are very good at clearing customs do it; or, if you’re experienced enough that you’ve done it before, slam it through them yourself and save a few bucks.
How Do You Evaluate a Used Excavator?
When looking at used machines, you’ve got to check the hours. You’ve got to look at the serial number; where was the machine made? It’s not a deal killer. You just need to understand the machine. Look at its records. Did they do the maintenance on it when they were supposed to? What’s the physical condition? If you can see the machine, is there any visible damage? How much wear is on the inside?
The best thing you can do is get somebody to drive out to where the machine is and lay hands on it for you. Look for any modifications that might have been made on the machine. Pay particular attention to any repairs that could have been made. Make the seller provide you with every opportunity to review their service records to get an overall sense of their history and how they’ve been used.
Don’t ask for their scrap of paper that they wrote down last week and tell you, “Man, I’ve done maintained this baby good.” That’s not what we’re after. We want service records, books, and the entire white envelope that comes with these things new.
What Does It Cost to Ship an Excavator from China?
Shipments from anywhere in the world will vary based on distance, shipping method, and the size of the machine. Typically, you will need a container. This is not an open-sided container like you might see on the highway. You need a flat rack or a high-sided container to get these machines in. For used machines, you might be looking at a couple, three, or four thousand bucks.
The more you ship, the more efficient getting them here and the cost-per-chest of the shipping comes down. Quotes are easy to get. Every country has forwarders that specialize in this type of routing. Get a few quotes. Also, consider what load costs are and how much it will cost to get them out of the containers. You’ll have to get somebody to help you with this unless you’ve got a whole lot of iron around you right now. Again, even if you’re sitting in St. Louis and you want to buy something from China, don’t let that keep you from checking prices around town.
Will I Pay Import Tax from China?
Yep, you may have to pay import taxes and duties to get machines into this country. The rate depends on what the machine is and what they say it is worth before they ship it. Call your local customs office and tell them. “I’m thinking about importing a 4-wheel drive backhoe from China. Can you give me some idea what the import duty on that machine might be?” If you get really excited about this and spend $250,000 you ain’t ready to spend, you need to make sure you do everything the right way to keep from getting a surprise when the invoice is handed to you by the shipping company.
What Is the Most Sold Excavator?
The most-sold machines anywhere in the world are in the 20- to 30-ton class size and, without a doubt, the number-one machine in that size is Caterpillar’s 320. The Cat 320 is probably Cat’s bread-and-butter machine. It’s probably the sweet spot for most construction companies. There are other brands and sizes of machines that work, but find a Cat 320.
Summary:
By selecting the right suppliers, conducting thorough evaluations, and understanding the logistics involved, you can confidently purchase high-quality used excavators from China.
