The price on a quotation is usually FOB. What a buyer actually pays includes freight, and freight is driven by how many units share a container. Two buyers ordering the same model can end up with very different landed costs because one ordered a full load and the other ordered three units.
What comes off the machine
To fit machines efficiently, the following are normally removed and packed separately: counterweight (on larger models), mast, overhead guard, forks, and wheels on some models. Removal is not damage — it is standard practice — but it means the machine arrives in parts and needs reassembly at destination.
| Model class | Typical packing | Units per 40 ft HC |
|---|---|---|
| 1.5–2.0 t electric | Mast and guard removed, upright | 6–8 |
| 2.5–3.0 t electric | Mast and guard removed, counterweight in place | 4–6 |
| 3.0–3.5 t diesel | Mast removed, counterweight in place | 3–4 |
| 5.0 t diesel | Mast removed, partial disassembly | 2 |
| Mini excavator 1–2 t | Boom folded, tracks in place | 4–6 |
| Wheel loader 3 t | Partial disassembly, mast-free | 1–2 |
Where the cost actually goes
Freight is charged per container, so the cost per unit falls sharply as the container fills. Moving from three units to six does not double the freight — it divides the same freight across twice as many machines. This is why a mixed order (two models sharing one container) is usually cheaper per unit than two small orders.
The reassembly question
A machine that arrives disassembled needs labour, a forklift to lift the mast, and someone who knows the torque values. Ask three things before ordering: does the packing include a reassembly drawing, are the fasteners bagged and labelled per assembly, and is there a commissioning checklist. Suppliers who ship a lot of containers usually have all three; suppliers who ship air freight often do not.
What to ask for in the quotation
- Units per 40 ft HC and per 20 ft, for the exact model and mast
- Loading plan drawing
- Which components ship loose, and how they are labelled
- Reassembly instructions and torque table
- Whether rust-prevention film is applied, and for how many days of sea transit