China is the largest exporter of heavy equipment in the world. Among the range of heavy machines they export, the low-cost excavators have quickly gained attention from the world.
However, shipping these oversized, heavy-duty machines is a real headache. Besides, you might get entangled in the web of surprising costs that may disrupt your whole shipment budget. So it is a must-have to plan your shipment budget in advance, and for that, you need to know how much it costs to ship an excavator from China.
Here is a detailed article about the cost estimation for shipping an excavator from China.
Methods for shipping an excavator from China
Before we get to the cost of shipping an excavator, you should know the available options. Here are some common methods you can consider while shipping an excavator from China.
Full container shipping
For heavy equipment like excavators, you might need a whole container space. Therefore, the Full Container Load (FCL) sea freight shipment is the best available option. Your excavator can reach your destination with minimal handling and in a reasonable time. However, this type of sea freight is expensive.
Roll-on/roll-off (RoRo) transportation
Have you seen large trucks or heavy machinery tied to seafaring vessels? This is what we call “roll-on/roll-off (RoRo) transportation.” If you want to be on the cheaper side, unlike FCL, RORO is a great alternative.
Flat rack or open-top container
If your equipment is oversized that it won’t fit the container, a flat rack is a good option. Similarly, if your excavator is too tall to fit a standard container, an open-top container may cater to this dimension.
Cost of shipping an excavator
It’s really tricky to determine the precise cost of shipping an excavator. The reason is international shipping charges fluctuate over time. Besides, there are plenty of factors that directly impact shipping costs.
The best thing for you to do is understand what’s included in shipping rates. When you start shipping an excavator from China, different equipment and freight rates will apply.
Equipment Rates
Equipment rates can be further broken down into three types that include:
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Weight based
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Size based
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Flat rates
Weight-based excavator shipping rates, as you can guess, are based on the weight of your equipment. Similarly, size-based equipment depends on the size of your equipment. However, flat rates are fixed prices that apply to a specific item, no matter the size or weight of the shipment.
Freight Rates
Besides the fees charged based on your goods, there are other shipping fees you need to consider. Freight includes the actual amount that goes into transporting goods from the port of China to your destination port. It involves loading/unloading costs, fuel charges, and other charges associated with the shipment.
Factors affecting the cost of shipping an excavator
Though the cost breakdown may help you estimate your shipment budget, as we said earlier, there are so many factors that collectively decide the cost of shipping an excavator.
For example, if you are shipping a 40-foot container from China to the United States, the West Coast would cost around $2,500 to $4,000. If it’s the East Coast, prices may go higher, around $3,000 to $4,500. Why? Because the shipping distance has increased. Similarly, if you ditch the standard container, and opt for a special flat-rack or open-top container, you are going to pay around $2,000 to $3,000 more than a 40-foot container.
So, there are plenty of things that influence the final cost of shipment. Here are some of the main factors:
Equipment Type
Excavators vary in size and weight, depending on the manufacturer. If the excavator you are importing from China has a higher weight, and you are paying under weight-based equipment charges, of course, you will have to pay higher. So, the type of equipment directly impacts the cost of shipping.
Distance
Stating the obvious, if you are shipping from China to the USA, shipping rates would be different than if you are shipping to Australia. So, keep your destination port in mind while estimating your shipping costs.
Customs Duties and Taxes
Another complicated part of shipping equipment from China is customs duties and taxes. Different countries have different customs regulations and standards.
For example, excise duty on goods from China usually ranges from 3% to 25%. You can use the local customs code lookup tool to find out the tax rate. For instance, if you are shipping to the USA, input the HTS code of your cargo on the United States International Trade Commission website.
Insurance Costs
Insurance for international shipment is usually around 1% to 3% of its value. For instance, if the excavator is worth $100,000, insurance might cost between $1,000 and $3,000. So, insurance costs also impact the final shipment cost.
Shipping Method
As we discussed already, your shipment mode factors into creating a shipment budget. If you are transporting your excavator in an enclosed standard container, the fee might be lower. On the other hand, specialized containers will cost more though the risks of damage will be higher. If your excavator is oversized, open space is the only applicable option.
Final words
Shipping heavy equipment like an excavator is a hard bet. If you get confused in the middle of the process and take the wrong step, your big investment can go down the drain. So, understand the process completely to avoid costly delays and penalties.
Plus, understand the cost factor of shipping an excavator. This guide will help you plan your shipment budget and ensure a smooth delivery along the way.
FAQs
How to find the most affordable option for shipping an excavator from China?
You should compare quotes from different shipping providers to get a suitable price. Besides, you can ask your freight forwarder to use their network to get you the reasonable cost of shipping an excavator from China.
How long does it take to ship an excavator from China to the United States?
Sea shipment from Shanghai to the West Coast takes around 22 to 28 days.
What shipment method is most favorable for shipping an excavator?
It depends on your needs and budget, and most importantly, the size of your excavator. If your excavator is oversized and doesn’t fit the standard container, you only have the flat Rack or Ro/Ro options.
