An excavator is one of the biggest single purchases a Nigerian contractor makes. Buying one from China can save money, but only if you check the right things before you pay. A machine that looks good in a photo can hide worn tracks, leaking hydraulics or missing paperwork, and you cannot fix those problems from Lagos.
This guide covers how to choose, inspect and pay for an excavator from China, the paperwork Nigeria needs, and what to expect when it ships.
Quick answer: Decide the job first, then have the actual machine inspected in China before you pay: serial number and model year, hour meter and service records, undercarriage, hydraulics, engine and a full test run, with photos and video. Get the Form M sorted through your bank before the supplier ships, and budget separately for shipping, port charges and clearing.
Last updated: October 2026
Step 1: Decide what you need before you look at machines
Most bad purchases start with a good-looking price on the wrong machine. Before you ask for quotes, write down:
- The job: general digging, road work, quarry, demolition or loading.
- The size you need: machine weight and bucket size that suit the work and the trucks that will carry it.
- New, used or refurbished: new costs more but comes with a known history. Used and refurbished are cheaper, but they need a proper inspection.
- Spare parts and service: ask whether parts and a mechanic who knows that brand are available near your site in Nigeria.
- Your total budget: the machine price is only one part. See step 5.
Step 2: Inspect the actual machine, not just photos
Photos and a price list tell you almost nothing about condition. Heavy equipment guides, such as this one from Equipment World, put the focus on the undercarriage and the hydraulics. Use this checklist and ask for photos and video of each point:
- Serial number and model year: read them from the machine’s nameplate and check they match the paperwork.
- Hour meter and service records: ask for the hours, the maintenance history and what the machine was used for. Hard work wears a machine as much as hours do.
- Undercarriage: tracks, rollers and sprockets. This is expensive to replace.
- Hydraulics: check cylinders and hoses for leaks, and run every function.
- Engine: ask to see it start cold. Watch the exhaust smoke and look for oil or coolant leaks.
- Boom, arm and bucket: look for cracks, welds and worn pins.
- Electrical and controls: lights, gauges, monitor and safety devices.
- Past damage and repairs: ask about accidents, overloads and earlier hydraulic failures.
- A full test run: dig, swing, travel and lift, and record it on video.
- Someone you trust on site: have an agent or inspector check the machine in person before you pay.
Service limits depend on the model, so ask the supplier for the manufacturer’s service manual for that machine, and compare the machine’s condition against it.
Step 3: Get the paperwork right
Paperwork mistakes delay machines at the port, and delays cost money. The exact list can change, so confirm it with your bank and your clearing agent before you pay the supplier. Most imports to Nigeria involve:
- Form M: the import form you complete through your bank. Read GTBank’s explanation of Form M, and ask your bank whether the supplier can ship before it is registered.
- Commercial invoice and packing list: the details must match the machine, including model and serial number.
- Bill of lading: issued by the shipping company once the machine ships.
- Insurance: ask your bank and clearing agent what cover is required and who arranges it.
Duties and port charges depend on the machine and change over time. Ask a licensed clearing agent for a written estimate for your exact machine before you commit.
Step 4: Shipping and clearing are separate jobs
Your supplier or agent buys and prepares the machine. A shipping company moves it, and a clearing agent gets it out of the port in Nigeria. These are three different jobs, and responsibility passes from one to the next at hand-over. Our guide on procurement agent vs shipping company explains the hand-over questions to ask.
Sea freight takes about 60 to 72 days, counted from the day the goods ship. That is an estimate, not a guarantee, and inspection and preparation time in China is extra.
Step 5: Budget for the whole cost, not just the machine
Ask for every cost in writing before you pay a deposit:
- machine price and any attachments;
- inspection and your agent’s fee;
- loading and transport inside China;
- sea freight to Nigeria;
- insurance;
- port charges, duties and clearing;
- delivery from the port to your site.
Red flags when buying an excavator from China
- A price far below similar machines, with no explanation.
- The seller will not show the nameplate, hour meter or a test run on video.
- Photos that look like stock or came from another listing.
- Pressure to pay the full amount before any inspection.
- Vague fees, unclear paperwork or no written scope.
Our guide on how to find a reliable China agent in Nigeria covers how to verify whoever you hire.
How Hind Procurement Services handles heavy machinery
We are a procurement company, not a shipping company. For heavy machinery, equipment and trucks, here is what that means:
- We source in China, Turkey and Dubai, with offices in Abeokuta and Guangzhou.
- We check and document your order with photos and video before it ships.
- We hand over to your chosen shipping company, or one we assign. Once the shipping company confirms receipt, it is responsible for the goods in transit, and we keep following up until delivery.
- We work in bulk unless an offer states otherwise, so contact us to confirm what applies to your order.
- Looking for a truck? See our heavy truck procurement page for Howo 371 and Shacman F300 options.
- You can verify us: Hind Importation Brand Limited, RC 7173495. Read the China importation agent page and our Terms and Conditions.
Frequently asked questions
Is it safe to buy an excavator from China without seeing it?
It is risky. Photos cannot show wear or leaks. Have someone inspect the actual machine on site and send video of a full test run before you pay.
Should I buy a new, used or refurbished excavator?
New machines cost more but have a known history. Used and refurbished machines cost less but need a thorough inspection and clear service records. Choose based on your budget, your workload and the availability of spare parts in Nigeria.
How long does shipping an excavator from China to Nigeria take?
Sea freight takes about 60 to 72 days from the day the goods ship. That is an estimate, and inspection, preparation and clearing time are extra.
Who clears the excavator at the port in Nigeria?
A clearing agent does, often the shipping company or a company it works with. Ask for a written estimate of charges for your exact machine.
Does Hind Procurement Services ship the machine?
No. We source and check the machine, then hand it over to your chosen shipping company, or one we assign.
Ready to buy heavy machinery from China?
Tell us what you want to buy and our team will review your requirements and connect you with the right procurement specialist. Contact Hind Procurement Services, or call +234 816 226 4915.
