Buy Used CAT 320 Excavator from Shanghai China: Export Buyer Guide
Release time: 2026-10-26
The used CAT 320 excavator remains one of the most searched mid-size diggers for contractors who want global parts support and a machine that holds resale value. If your goal is to buy a used CAT 320 from China and ship it from Shanghai, this guide explains which variants show up in Chinese yards, what to verify on video, and how export packing usually works.
Why the CAT 320 class still dominates export searches
Across Africa, the Middle East and South America, dealers and site managers keep asking for a used CAT 320 excavator for sale because operators already know the controls, filters are easy to source, and the 20–23 ton weight class fits most trucking and trailer limits. Compared with obscure local brands, a Caterpillar badge also makes bank finance and second-sale easier in many markets.
In Shanghai export yards you will mainly see 320D, 320D2, 320GC and newer GC/NGC units, plus older 320C/320B machines that need stricter undercarriage and pump checks. Do not treat every “320” as identical: boom length, stick options, hammer piping and undercarriage shoe width all change the landed job-site cost.
Match the variant to your job, not only the badge
- General earthworks and road cuts: a clean 320D / 320D2 with healthy rails is still the volume workhorse.
- Fuel-sensitive rental fleets: many buyers shortlist the 320GC for lower fuel burn on lighter soils.
- Hammer / breaker work: confirm factory or dealer hammer lines, accumulator condition and stick reinforcement.
- Soft ground or wetlands: ask for wider shoes and check idler/roller play more carefully.
If you are comparing against Komatsu PC200-8 or Hitachi ZX200, focus on the individual machine’s hours-versus-wear story. Badge preference matters less than a honest cold-start video and undercarriage measurements.
Pre-deposit inspection checklist for remote buyers
Most overseas buyers cannot fly to Shanghai every week. Ask the exporter to film a fixed sequence so you can compare units fairly:
- Serial plate + monitor hours in one continuous shot — avoids mismatched stickers.
- Cold start after sitting overnight — watch white/blue smoke, idle hunting and blow-by.
- Full dig cycle — boom, arm, bucket and swing under load; listen for pump whine.
- Travel straightness — skewed travel often means roller or frame issues.
- Undercarriage close-ups — rail height, sprocket tips, pad bolts, idler oil leaks.
- Boom and stick stress points — clean paint can hide weld repairs; ask for wipe-down photos.
- Cab electrics — working lights, A/C, backup camera if fitted, active fault codes.
For a deeper structural checklist, see our swing-bearing and boom/stick inspection articles on the blog, then apply the same method to the exact CAT 320 you shortlist.
Export from Shanghai: FOB, CIF and packing notes
YCHS Machinery loads used excavators from the Shanghai area for flat-rack or bulk shipping. Typical choices:
- FOB Shanghai — you appoint the forwarder; we deliver washed, photographed and lashed as agreed.
- CIF your port — we quote once you confirm discharge port, preferred line and whether the stick/bucket must be removed.
Before sailing, request wash photos, a lashing plan and the commercial invoice / packing list draft. Customs HS codes for used excavators are familiar to Shanghai exporters, but your import licence, age limits and emissions rules in the destination country are your responsibility — Nigeria, Kenya, Peru and Chile each have different paperwork habits.
Price talk without the traps
Online “lowest price CAT 320” listings often hide missing rails, mixed serials or machines still inland far from port. A realistic Shanghai export quote should name the exact unit, year, hours, undercarriage estimate and whether hammer piping is included. If a seller will not film today, treat the price as marketing, not inventory.
Browse current Caterpillar excavators on our site, then WhatsApp the unit ID you want filmed. We also keep related mid-size stock under all excavators if you want a Komatsu or Hitachi backup option.
Who this guide is for
This article is written for contractors, rental houses and importers searching for used CAT 320 excavator for sale with China origin, and for buyers who specifically want a Shanghai used excavator exporter that can provide yard video, export packing and FOB/CIF options. It is not a substitute for a paid third-party survey if your bank requires one — we can still host the surveyor at the yard.
Sales WhatsApp / Tel: +86 180 1734 8066
Tell us your port, preferred year/hours range and whether you need hammer piping. We will reply with matching CAT 320 candidates and same-day video when the machine is in the Shanghai yard.
