Importing and modifying a new mini excavator from China

   / Importing and modifying a new mini excavator from China #11  
Don't be too concerned about 'Ports'. You don't have to be near a coast to get your purchase. In fact, I had mine sent to Cincinnati and could have had it in Louisville, had I recognized it. Mine was offloaded in New Jersey and trucked overland to the 'port' in Cincinnati, which was just a warehouse out in the suburbs.

Ports of Entry USA

There are ports all over the place, and it is likely that there is one close or at least 'closer' to you than you think. It will obviously cost more to haul it to Colorado (which has 4 POEs) but it isn't as crazy as you'd think.

If I do it again, I will set up with a US based importer who does this sort of thing and let them deal with everything. Make your purchase from the company FOB, or 'Free on Board' which basically means they are responsible for everything up to and including getting it loaded on the ship. Then, you, or your company, is responsible for getting it to you. If you do it BEFORE you actually are in the process of the shipping, it shouldn't be too difficult. Just be prepared for a hiccup and don't fret. There are many reputable importers who know what is required and have the connections to insure you get your shipment. And STILL, it is likely to be less expensive.

But, remember, Alibaba begins counting down the 14day Escrow period from when it hits the port/warehouse NOT from whenever you get your act together and go get it. IF it sits in the warehouse for 15days before you see that they sent you problem... well.... then its YOUR problem. Nothing that cannot be addressed with some planning and a little flexibility. But just recognize this is the case.
 
   / Importing and modifying a new mini excavator from China
  • Thread Starter
#12  
EDIT: Not sure what Dadnatron is referencing, I had 3 days to remove freight from
storage in bonded warehouse, or huge storage fees applied.

I was able to watch real-time online the status of everything in my container (13 items), and when they got their
release. I could see a lot of info on each shipment in there, surprisingly.

My CFS (Container Freight Station) gave me 5 days "free" in which to pick up my load, or have it shipped.
Storage fees beyond that were going to be something like $25/day.

Airports are often "ports of entry" as well as seaports, but container ships only use seaports. If you
are far from a seaport, the truck shipping can be spendy. Note that if you import via full container, it can
be shipped directly from the Port to your final destination, and they give you something like 3 hours to
unload before returning with the empty container.

I have spoken with 2 people who have had to pay for X-ray inspections of their container, prob brought on
by the Port spot-checking for contraband. This amounted to several hundred dollars that was not expected.
Thankfully, I did not have this "service".

These photos are at the CFS near the Port, showing the loading of my 2200# crate. Both ends had been
opened, I guess by some inspector(s). Maybe US customs?
 

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   / Importing and modifying a new mini excavator from China #13  
Interesting thread. I'm curious as to why no engine and what you installed for an engine.
 
   / Importing and modifying a new mini excavator from China #14  
This importing of machines thread has been very interesting. I've looked at items sold on Alibaba but never purchased any. Thanks to all who have added to it.
 
   / Importing and modifying a new mini excavator from China #15  
Interesting thread. I'm curious as to why no engine and what you installed for an engine.

I know that the complexity of importing an engine greatly expounds the difficulty in the importation process. A whole new BIG layer of regulations, etc must be met. Basically, the engine must be proven to meet US import standards, and given you are a 'one off' importer, this is immeasurably more difficult, than to be importing 1000 engines, all of the same make/model.

Actually, there are other 'levels' of importing equipment, that off hand, I don't remember. But different regulations exist for 'farm' equipment vs 'commercial' vs 'personal' etc. I don't remember the reason, but I do remember I had to 'prove' my flail was for farm use, although I don't remember that clearly. I know I had a discussion with the importer on the subject.

I suspect this was put into the OP's calculations.
 
   / Importing and modifying a new mini excavator from China #16  
Interesting....your crate seems to survive better than most small China shipments. Their cardboard is not near as strong as the stuff in the US.
 
   / Importing and modifying a new mini excavator from China #17  
I know that the complexity of importing an engine greatly expounds the difficulty in the importation process. A whole new BIG layer of regulations, etc must be met. Basically, the engine must be proven to meet US import standards, and given you are a 'one off' importer, this is immeasurably more difficult, than to be importing 1000 engines, all of the same make/model.

Actually, there are other 'levels' of importing equipment, that off hand, I don't remember. But different regulations exist for 'farm' equipment vs 'commercial' vs 'personal' etc. I don't remember the reason, but I do remember I had to 'prove' my flail was for farm use, although I don't remember that clearly. I know I had a discussion with the importer on the subject.

I suspect this was put into the OP's calculations.

At one time I looked into importing a 7 hp Listeroid diesel from India. Basically I could bring in 5 engines before I had to worry about emissions. I didn't pursue it too far as I didn't know who I could trust. I live in Canada and the regs are different here.
 
   / Importing and modifying a new mini excavator from China
  • Thread Starter
#18  
Interesting....your crate seems to survive better than most small China shipments.
Their cardboard is not near as strong as the stuff in the US.

The crate that my XN08 was shipped in was the most substantial crate I have ever received. It featured
1.5x3.5" U-channel on the bottom and rectangular tubing for the skeleton, all welded. That was covered by
1/4" plywood on all 6 sides, screwed on with self-drilling screws that had plastic and steel washers. Wow. Even
Kubota tractor crates (got them free from the dealer), and Kioti crates (2 of my tractors I bought crated) were not
this substantial. I reuse the channel steel for backhoe subframes. Tubing is far more desirable for reuse (IMO), vs. the
steel angle-iron that you usually get on tractor crates.

I had to cut off the tubing frame from around mini-X, since I could not drive it out of the crate. No engine. That is the
biggest part of this story. Good thing I had a plasma cutter, as this would sure have been tedious with a different
tool.

Next: the engine debacle.
 

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   / Importing and modifying a new mini excavator from China
  • Thread Starter
#19  
So this whole engine project started out when I decided to pull the trigger, and import one of these
1-ton units. I fully planned to get it turn-key, with the original diesel engine and some
accessories and spares. I was going to explore getting a whole spare engine as part of the
shipment.

At about the same time, I heard of and contacted a guy in WV trying to make the same
deal and import one unit for himself, and possibly other units to sell. He had just run up against
a brick wall with his customs broker: how to fill out his EPA Form 3520 (attached)?

There is no EPA exemption for small diesel engines in the doc. When I contacted the seller, I
was told that they have successfully exported the XN08 to the US numerous times. I
contacted some of them, and it was true: they did not have to fill out any EPA form or
undergo EPA inspection. Not to give up easily, I even contacted the EPA, and heard back
(5 days later), that I could not import the non-EPA certified engine. I suspect that
EPA inspectors are upping their diligence in recent months.

I also talked to a buyer in OR who had imported one, sans engine, and installed his own.
Another buyer in UT had purchased one with diesel engine only 6 months prior, and it
had failed. He converted to gas just after I did, rather than repair his ChangChai.

This is a ChangChai 499cc 1-cyl diesel engine of about 10hp, commonly used in small
equipment. There is another maker, Koop, which makes a similar engine in these units.
My research finds only 2 EPA-certified 1-cyl diesels sold in the US (Hatz and Kohler), which
run about $3000. For reference, Cat and Kubota both use THREE-cyl 10hp 700cc diesels in their
1-ton units. One is a Yanmar; one is a Kubota, both are EPA- and CARB-approved.

There was/is no way around the EPA declaration and inspection for me. I also need CARB
certification for purchase in CA, but I know of no way that the state enforces compliance. It
seems to be up to the seller to not sell into CA unless there is a CARB sticker.

So, I made a deal to buy one unit without an engine, with the plan to install a CARB/EPA
gasoline engine. I knew I would need to make some serious changes to make it work, but
I like that kind of project anyway. Concerns about repairing a ChangChai engine would also
vanish. (Parts ARE available, but not widely, and not cheaply.)

Since I had already paid my money, I substituted a spare 8-spool stack valve for the deleted
engine. Now, I have some repair parts for the valve, too. There are all sorts of brands
of Chinese hydraulic components, and little data on them. That concerns me more than a
Chinese engine.

Next: my new engine
 
   / Importing and modifying a new mini excavator from China #20  
Only a 10hp? The unit must be pretty small. I would be thinking a Kubota or Yanmar in the 23hp range. Keep us updated with pics....interesting.
 

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