- Strong CCIC pre-shipment inspection record with minimal containers held for documentation issues, full agency service for all regulatory filings
- Heaviest single piece handled: 45 tons, with professional dismantling, custom crating, and flat rack/open top container solutions
- Dual CCIC routing options (Hong Kong CCIC or domestic CCIC) matched to each shipment for faster, more cost-effective compliance
Background
Used CNC machine tools, printing equipment, construction machinery, cross-border trade in used industrial equipment is growing. But used machinery export is not standard cargo transport. It spans two specialized domains: mandatory pre-shipment inspection compliance and oversized/heavy-lift operations.
Why Used Machinery Export Is Complex
Long regulatory chain. Before export, used electromechanical products must complete old electromechanical product filing (旧机电产品备案) with the competent local customs authority, and pass pre-shipment inspection by a designated agency (such as CCIC). Some product categories also require import permits at destination. Filing → inspection → certification → declaration, four interlocking steps where any gap causes delays.
The equipment itself is challenging. Used equipment is often oversized and overweight, irregularly shaped, and some units retain residual oils requiring drain-and-clean treatment or dangerous goods declaration. Standard containers often won't fit, and generic lashing plans won't suffice.
Information asymmetry. Older equipment may have faded nameplates and incomplete technical documentation, yet these are precisely the core basis for CCIC inspection and customs declaration. Missing or unreadable nameplates are a common cause of inspection delays.
Our solution: full-process CCIC compliance + heavy-lift transport
1. Used Machinery Export Compliance Coordination
Old electromechanical product filing (旧机电备案): We assist clients in organizing equipment lists, technical parameters, usage descriptions, and other filing materials for submission to the local customs authority. Our team is familiar with filing requirements and common reasons for rejection across different customs districts, helping reduce back-and-forth resubmission.
CCIC pre-shipment inspection coordination: We coordinate the CCIC inspector's visit to the equipment location, whether at the factory or our warehouse. Before inspection, we assist clients with preparation: equipment cleaning, nameplate and serial number verification against documentation, and technical file organization. For older equipment with faded or missing nameplates, we help clients prepare replacement nameplates and supporting explanatory documentation in advance.
Inspection routing options: Depending on destination country requirements and the port of export, we evaluate the faster and more cost-effective path between domestic CCIC and Hong Kong CCIC. Certain destination countries accept Hong Kong CCIC certificates, and transiting through Hong Kong can shorten the inspection scheduling timeline.
Export customs clearance: Our customs brokerage team has experience with used electromechanical product HS code classification and declaration requirements, including the specific "used" (旧) prefix categorization and common inspection triggers.
Our track record: a strong CCIC inspection pass record across all shipments handled.
2. Oversized & Overweight Equipment Transport
Used machinery is rarely standard-sized. We provide the full physical logistics chain:
- Professional dismantling: When equipment must be partially disassembled to fit container dimensions or weight limits. Each disassembled component is tagged, photographed, and documented for reassembly.
- Custom crating: Heavy-duty wooden crates with internal bracing designed for the specific equipment. Not generic, each crate purpose-built.
- Special container selection: Flat rack containers for over-width machines. Open top containers for over-height equipment. Standard containers with reinforced floors for heavy but dimensionally compliant pieces.
- Professional lashing & securing: Custom lashing plans for each piece with certified securing materials. Plans reviewed by engineering team before loading.
- Residual oil and fluid handling: Equipment may retain fuel, hydraulic oil, or lubricating oil. Based on the type and quantity: small amounts are drained and cleaned for standard shipping; larger volumes or DG-classified fluids are coordinated for dangerous goods declaration and packaging. This is a commonly overlooked step that can cause customs holds if not addressed.
3. Specialized Customs Clearance
Our customs brokerage team has dedicated experience with old electromechanical product declarations. They understand the specific HS code classifications, the required supporting documents, and the common inspection triggers, ensuring fast clearance without surprises.
4. Destination Services
We provide destination port customs clearance, heavy-lift unloading, and delivery to the buyer's site. For equipment requiring reassembly, we coordinate with local technicians to ensure the machine is operational, not just delivered.
CCIC pass record
max single piece
CCIC routing options
nationwide coverage
Case Examples
Case 1: Used CNC Machine Tools to Turkey (3 Units)
A machinery trading company procured 3 used CNC machining centers (12-18 tons each) from a Shandong factory for export to a buyer's factory in Istanbul, Turkey.
Process: Assisted the client with old electromechanical product filing and CCIC inspection scheduling → discovered one machine had a missing nameplate before the inspection, assisted with replacement nameplate fabrication and preparation of explanatory documentation → CCIC inspection passed on first attempt → equipment partially disassembled (separating tool magazines and cooling systems) and loaded into 40FR flat rack containers → lashing plan approved by the shipping line → shipped from Qingdao port.
Outcome: Approximately 18 days from filing to vessel departure. Destination clearance and delivery handled by our partner agent. The buyer arranged their own technicians for reassembly and commissioning.
Case 2: Used Construction Machinery to Africa (5 Units, Including Oversized Pieces)
Export of 5 units of used construction machinery to Africa, with several units exceeding standard container dimensions and weight limits. The shipment required coordination across CCIC inspection, heavy-lift transport, and destination delivery.
Process: Coordinated domestic CCIC inspection routing → partial disassembly of oversized units to meet transport dimensions → custom crating for each unit → flat rack and open top container loading with engineered lashing plans → ocean freight coordinated with priority space arrangement → destination port clearance and delivery coordination.
Outcome: All units successfully delivered. The heavy-lift and CCIC compliance experience demonstrated the value of integrated coordination across both regulatory and physical logistics domains.