Sep 29, 2026Diesel Forklifts
How to Import a Forklift from China: Documents, Duties, and Shipping Steps
Learn how to import a forklift from China. This guide covers essential documents, customs duties, shipping methods, and the step-by-step import process for buyers
How to Import a Forklift from China: Documents, Duties, and Shipping Steps
Introduction
Buying cost-effective products from China has become increasingly popular. So how do you import a forklift or other large material handling machinery from China? In practice, it is not difficult at all. Most documents are provided by the forklift manufacturer, and they can also offer customs duty inquiry services and shipping services.
As a forklift manufacturer with over ten years of production and import/export experience, we will provide professional guidance on documents, duties, and shipping steps.
Why Import a Forklift from China?
First, Chinese forklifts are qualified in quality and low in price. Here are this year's export data and examples:
With the development of made-in-China manufacturing, Chinese forklifts have been exported all over the world. From January to July this year, forklift exports exceeded 380,000 units, a year-on-year increase of 22%. In Zhejiang, some forklift companies' orders are already booked through the fourth quarter of this year.
On a small electric pallet truck production line at a forklift company, one forklift rolls off every two minutes on average, and about 90% of the products from this line are exported overseas, covering nearly 100 countries and regions.
This shows that Chinese forklifts are becoming increasingly popular around the world. Individuals, warehouses, and enterprises are sourcing material handling tools from China to reduce their daily operating costs.
Forklift Import Process from China
Here is a simplified process, mainly divided into three parts:
- Purchase from the Manufacturer: First, you need to purchase the forklift from the manufacturer. Generally, a 30% deposit is paid in advance, and the balance is paid after the machine is produced.
- Export Shipping: The manufacturer packs the machine and prepares export documents (provided directly to customs by the manufacturer). After packing, the freight forwarder begins shipping the machine, usually by sea.
- Customs Clearance: One week before the goods arrive at the port, you will receive an email. You need to send the invoice and packing list to customs, pay duties for customs clearance, and pick up the goods at the port after completion.
Forklift Shipping
After the forklift is completed, it will be packed in wooden crates or wrapped with plastic film to avoid damage or loss of parts during transportation.
Below is how a 3.5‑ton diesel forklift is packaged.
Forklifts are relatively large and heavy. Shipping methods are generally by sea and land, with air transport rarely used. Some buyers already have experience importing goods from China and often use express or air freight because it is fast and reasonably priced. However, for shipping forklifts, air freight costs are relatively high.
Since forklifts are divided into internal combustion forklifts and electric forklifts, both contain batteries. Diesel forklifts contain starter batteries, and electric forklifts contain lithium or lead-acid batteries. The forklift manufacturer needs to provide battery transport documents to the freight forwarder. It is worth noting that some buyers also have freight forwarders in China. Before shipping, you need to ask whether they are capable of transporting goods with batteries.
Documents
The main documents the buyer needs to provide are: commercial invoice, packing list, and completed customs documents. The above documents are submitted to customs or a customs broker.
The main documents the forklift manufacturer needs to provide are: proforma invoice, commercial invoice, packing list, and bill of lading, etc. The proforma invoice is provided to the customer so they can make a bank transfer; the bill of lading is provided to the customer so they can pick up the goods at the port. The commercial invoice and packing list are provided to the customer for customs clearance.
Customs Duties
Forklift customs duties are generally around 30%. For specifics, consult your local customs or the forklift manufacturer. When purchasing forklifts under terms such as CIF, FOB, or FCA, you need to handle customs clearance yourself or entrust an agent, and take the bill of lading to the port for pickup. Under DDP terms, you only need to wait at home for the machine to be delivered to your door.
Conclusion
The main process for importing a forklift from China is: order the machine – packing and shipping – customs clearance and pickup. The vast majority of documents are provided by the forklift manufacturer. What you need to pay attention to is timely customs clearance and pickup.
If you have any questions, you can consult us. We are a professional forklift manufacturer with rich import and export experience. Our main products include diesel forklifts, electric forklifts, reach trucks, electric pallet trucks, and electric stackers. Whether you need custom forklifts or forklift shipping, we can give you some advice.
