Importing from China
China builds every kind of industrial machinery — production lines, presses, lathes, packaging machines, construction equipment — at prices that are hard to beat. But a machine has specifics worth mastering before you sign: it is heavy and bulky (sometimes it will not fit a standard container), it often carries oils, fluids or batteries, and to sell or use it in the EU it needs CE marking and a Declaration of Conformity under the Machinery Directive. Here is how it ships, what happens at customs and the critical points so it arrives ready to run.
Machinery almost always travels by sea in a full container (FCL): by weight and volume, air freight rarely pays off (only for urgent spares or critical parts). If the machine fits a standard 20’ or 40’ container, that is the simplest case. When it exceeds the height, width or length of the container, you use special equipment: a flat rack (a platform with no walls or roof) or open top (no roof, loaded by crane), and for truly huge pieces, breakbulk (general cargo in the ship’s hold).
Out-of-gauge cargo needs planning ahead: exact dimensions and weight, lashing, permits and cranes at both ends. Packing is critical: a reinforced wooden skid or crate, anti-corrosion protection for the sea leg, and ISPM-15 on all timber. Watch out if the machine carries oils, coolants or batteries: it may need to be drained or declared, and some components count as dangerous goods.
Machinery is classified mostly under chapter 84 of the tariff (mechanical machinery and appliances; electric motors and some equipment fall under 85). Import duty into the EU is often low or nil on many capital-goods headings (roughly 0 %–2.7 % depending on the machine), but the exact heading rules: confirm it with your customs broker. Import VAT is recoverable if you import as a business with your EORI and the declaration is in your name.
The point that catches people out is not the duty but conformity. To put a machine into service in the EU you need CE marking and its signed EC Declaration of Conformity (Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC), plus the instruction manual in the language of the country of use and, depending on the machine, the technical file. Customs may not ask for it, but without it you cannot legally sell or use the machine: require it from the manufacturer by contract.
This matters most. The machine must carry CE marking and come with a signed EC Declaration of Conformity (Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC). Without that document you cannot put it into service in the EU. Agree it by contract before you pay.
The instruction manual must be in the official language of the country where the machine will be used. A manual only in English or Chinese does not comply. Ask the manufacturer for a proper translation and review it: it is a legal requirement, not an extra.
If the machine will not fit a standard container, you must plan for flat rack, open top or breakbulk with exact dimensions and weight. It affects cost, cranes and inland transport permits at destination. Send us the dimensions as early as you can.
Many machines arrive with oils, coolants or batteries. Some components are dangerous goods and tanks may need draining or declaring. Tell us so we can prepare the right paperwork.
Machinery almost always moves by sea freight (FCL, plus special equipment when out of gauge), and we also handle customs clearance. Send us dimensions and weight and we will advise the best mode.
Note: duties, thresholds and rules (CE marking, the Machinery Directive, dangerous-goods requirements) can change and depend on the exact machine and the destination country. This guide describes the general situation at the time of writing; confirm it with your customs broker and the manufacturer before deciding.
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