Import Excavator from China
Importing an excavator from China can mean significant cost savings compared to buying from European dealers. Chinese manufacturers often offer prices that are 30-50% lower than comparable European models.
But for imports to be profitable, proper handling of customs regulations is required, import declarations and certification requirements. Here we go through what you need to know – and how we at Tullify help you get the machine to Sweden without delays or unnecessary costs.
How does importing excavators from China work?
When you import an excavator from China to Sweden, the process goes through several steps:
1. Purchase and delivery terms
You buy the machine from a Chinese supplier and agree on delivery terms (usually FOB or CIF). The price from the manufacturer is just the starting point – customs, VAT and shipping are added.
2. Quality control in China
Before the machine is shipped, it must be quality checked and tested on site at the factory. This is critical to avoid problems once the machine is in Sweden.
3. Transport to Sweden
The machine is shipped from a Chinese port (often Shanghai, Ningbo or Qingdao) to a Swedish port. Sea freight normally takes 4-8 weeks. You can also choose rail transport via Silk Road which is faster but more expensive.
4. Import declaration upon arrival
When the excavator reaches Sweden, an import declaration must be submitted to the Swedish Customs before the machine can be picked up. This is the critical step where many companies encounter problems.
5. Customs clearance and extradition
After the declaration has been approved and customs and VAT have been paid, the machine can be picked up from the port and transported to your facility.
6. CE marking and commissioning
Before the machine can be used, it must comply with the EU Machinery Directive and be CE marked. This can either be supplied by the manufacturer or arranged through certification bodies in Sweden.
How much does it cost to import an excavator?
Many people only focus on the purchase price from China, but the total cost includes several components:
Cost components for imports:
Purchase price of excavator: Varies depending on size and model
Shipping to Sweden: Depends on transport choice and machine weight
Customs value: Purchase price + shipping
Customs: Excavators are normally taxed at 0-4.2% depending on type (HS code 8429.52)
VAT: 25% on the customs value (purchase price + shipping + customs)
In addition, the following may be added:
- Quality control in China
- CE certification (if not included)
- Transport from port to facility
- Spare parts (recommended to order directly)
- Possible adaptations for the Swedish market
The only thing we can determine with certainty is the customs duty and VAT, other costs vary greatly depending on your specific situation, supplier and transport solution.
How to quality control the excavator in China – avoid costly mistakes
It is crucial that the excavator is quality checked and tested in China before delivery. Once the machine is in Sweden, it is difficult and expensive to fix problems.
What a professional quality control should include:
✓ Functional tests with documentation – The machine must be properly tested under real-world conditions, not just started and shut down. Video and pictures document performance.
✓ Construction review – Check that the machine is built according to specification and that no components are missing or faulty.
✓ Rating plate – Must meet EU requirements and contain correct information (manufacturer, model, CE marking, technical data).
✓ CE documentation – Verify that the Declaration of Conformity, instructions, test reports, risk assessment and technical documentation are available and correct.
✓ Spare parts – Check that ordered spare parts are correct and complete.
Important: Test all machines if you order multiple, not just a sample. Faults are rarely discovered unless the machine is fully tested under realistic conditions.
Many Swedish importers hire third-party inspectors in China to carry out these checks before payment and delivery.
Payment terms when importing excavator from China
When purchasing machinery from China, the right payment structure is crucial to minimizing risk.
Recommended payment terms:
✓ Advance payment – Usually a smaller amount when ordering
✓ Final payment – After approved quality control in the factory, but before delivery
✓ Pay to verified business account – Never to individuals or offshore accounts
✓ Letter of Credit – Option for larger orders that provides extra security
Many machine shops require full payment before assembly or inspection. This is not acceptable and exposes you to great risk.
Never pay the full amount upfront, no matter what the supplier says. If the machine turns out to be defective or not up to specification, you have no room for negotiation if you have already paid in full.
Shipping from China to Sweden
The right shipping solution is crucial to avoiding hidden costs and delays.
We highly recommend:
✓ Book shipping via Swedish shipping company – Not via Chinese supplier
✓ Door-to-door shipping – Fewer intermediate steps, clearer responsibility
✓ Include transport insurance – Excavators are expensive to replace
✓ FOB terms – You control the freight instead of the supplier
Many machine factories offer CIF (Cost, Insurance and Freight) where they arrange the shipping. This sounds convenient but can be expensive.
CIF often does not cover all fees, and you may receive unexpected port fees upon arrival in Sweden.
With FOB terms, the supplier only pays until the machine is loaded onto the ship in China. You then book your own freight through a Swedish freight company, which gives you full cost control and better service.
FCL vs LCL:
FCL (Full Container Load): You rent an entire container. Better for larger machines or multiple units. Lower risk of damage.
LCL (Less than Container Load): Shared container with other customers' goods. Cheaper for individual smaller machines but higher risk of damage during reloading.
For excavators, FCL is almost always recommended as the machines are heavy and susceptible to damage.
Customs regulations and classification
Excavators are normally classified under tariff nomenclature (HS code) 8429.52 for power-driven excavators. The tariff from China varies but is typically 0-4.2% depending on the type and size of the machine.
You can search for the tariff yourself:
- Go to the Swedish Customs database
- Select ”SECTION XVI – Machinery and apparatus”
- Navigate to Chapter 84 or 85
- Find the code that best describes your machine
- Specify China as the country of origin
There are at least 31 items that must be completed correctly when submitting your import declaration. If you fill in these items incorrectly, the declaration will be rejected, which will lead to:
- Delays of several days or weeks
- Extra storage costs at the port
- Possible fines from Swedish Customs
Particularly critical points:
HS code – Wrong classification results in wrong tariff rate
Customs value – Must include invoice value + shipping + insurance
Country of origin – Affects which tariff rate to use
EORI number – Must be registered before first import
How Tullify helps you
We at Tullify are experts in import declarations and ensure that your excavator from China is cleared through customs correctly from the start.
We take care of:
✓ Import declaration to Customs – All 31 items are filled in correctly so that the declaration is approved immediately
✓ HS code classification – We ensure the correct tariff for your specific machine type
✓ Customs value calculation – Accurate calculation so you pay the right amount, no more, no less
✓ Contact with Customs – We handle all communication about the declaration.
✓ Fast processing – Normally under 15 minutes response time from the time we receive your documents
You need to prepare:
- Invoice from Chinese supplier
- Bill of Lading
- Packing list
- CE documentation (Declaration of Conformity, instructions, technical documentation)
- Your company's EORI number (we will help you apply if you don't have one)
With the right customs management from the start, you avoid costly delays and get your excavator up and running faster.
CE marking when importing excavators from China
To be able to use the excavator in Sweden, it must be CE marked according to the EU Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC and the new Machinery Regulation (EU) 2023/1230.
It is not enough to have a CE mark printed on the machine. The following documentation must be available:
✓ Declaration of Conformity
✓ Instructions in Swedish
✓ Marking plate that meets EU requirements
✓ Test reports
✓ Technical documentation
✓ Risk assessment
1. The manufacturer supplies with CE marking
Easiest and most common for new excavators from established Chinese manufacturers. Check that all of the above documentation is included. Verify this already during the quality control in China.
2. The excavator does not have a CE marking
You must hire a certification body in Sweden to inspect the machine and issue a CE marking.
3. Used excavator from China
Often requires more extensive checks and possible security modifications to meet current requirements.
Warning: Far from all excavators manufactured in China have been designed according to EU requirements. Many machines are manufactured for the Chinese domestic market and lack the correct CE marking.
Excavators without correct CE documentation can be seized by Customs or other authorities, both upon import and long after the machine has been put into use.
We at Tullify do not handle CE certification, but we can recommend reliable certification bodies that are experienced in importing heavy machinery from China.
FAQ about importing excavator from China
How long does it take to import excavator from China?
The entire process normally takes 3-4 months from order to finished machine in Sweden. Sea transport accounts for 4-8 weeks, while the rest is production, quality control, preparation and customs clearance. If you choose rail transport, the time can be shortened to 2-3 months in total.
How much can I save by importing an excavator from China?
The purchase price from China is often 30-50% lower than European retailers. But remember that shipping, customs, VAT, quality control and any certification are added. After all costs, you can still expect a lower total cost compared to Swedish retailers.
What customs duties are added when importing an excavator from China?
Excavators from China are normally taxed with 0-4.2% duty depending on the machine type (HS code 8429.52 is most common). In addition, 25% VAT is added to the full customs value (purchase price + freight + duty). The total tax burden is therefore approximately 27-30% on top of the purchase price and freight.
Does the excavator have to be CE marked when I import from China?
Yes, all excavators used in Sweden must comply with the EU Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC and the Machinery Regulation (EU) 2023/1230. The excavator must be CE marked with complete documentation: Declaration of Conformity, instructions in Swedish, rating plate, test reports, technical documentation and risk assessment. It is not enough to just have a CE mark on the machine.
How important is quality control in China before delivery?
Quality control in China before delivery is critically important when importing an excavator. Once the machine is in Sweden, it is very expensive and complicated to fix problems. A professional inspection (15,000-30,000 SEK) should include functional tests with video/photo, review of construction, check of marking plate, verification of CE documentation and check of spare parts.
What payment terms should I accept when buying excavator from China?
Pay a maximum of 30% in advance when ordering. The remaining 70% is paid after approved quality control in the factory but before delivery. As a rule of thumb, never pay the full amount in advance.
How much does it cost to ship an excavator from China to Sweden?
The shipping cost depends on the weight, volume of the excavator and the mode of transport you choose. Rail transport is faster but 20-30% more expensive. Always book door-to-door shipping via a Swedish shipping company to avoid hidden costs.
Should I let the supplier arrange the shipping (CIF)?
No, we strongly recommend that you book shipping via a Swedish shipping company instead. Many Chinese machinery factories offer CIF shipping (Cost, Insurance and Freight) but this often does not cover all costs. You may receive unexpected port fees of 20,000-40,000 SEK upon arrival in Sweden. With FOB terms (Free On Board) you control the shipping yourself and get full cost transparency.
What is the difference between FCL and LCL when shipping an excavator?
FCL (Full Container Load) means that you rent a whole container for your excavator. This is best for excavators as they are heavy and delicate – lower risk of damage and faster handling. LCL (Less than Container Load) means sharing a container with other customers’ goods. For excavators from China, FCL is almost always recommended.
Can the machine be seized by Customs?
Yes, excavators without proper CE documentation can be seized by Customs or other authorities, both upon import and long after the machine has been put into service. Far from all excavators manufactured in China have been designed according to EU requirements. Many machines are manufactured for the Chinese domestic market and lack proper CE marking.
What happens if the import declaration is incorrect?
If the import declaration of the excavator contains errors, Customs will request additions or reject the declaration. This leads to delays (often several days or weeks), additional storage costs at the port and lost productivity. In some cases, incorrect information can even lead to fines.
What documents are needed for customs clearance of an excavator?
For the import declaration required:
- invoice from Chinese supplier
- Bill of Lading
- packing list
- your EORI number
- and CE documentation (Declaration of Conformity
- instructions
- test reports
- risk assessment
- technical documentation
All documents must be correct and complete. At Tullify, we will help you check that everything is correct before submitting the declaration.
What is an EORI number and how do I get one?
EORI (Economic Operators Registration and Identification) is a unique registration number required for all imports into Sweden. You apply for an EORI number free of charge from the Swedish Customs via their website. The processing time is normally 0-3 working days. You need an EORI before you can make your first import declaration of an excavator from China.
Should I use a customs agent or import myself?
For excavators from China, we strongly recommend using customs agent. There are at least 31 items that must be filled in correctly on the import declaration. Errors lead to delays, storage costs and possible fines. A customs agent like Tullify ensures that everything is correct from the start and handles the contact with the Swedish Customs, saving both time and money.