East and West African contractors searching for a used excavator from China often compare Shanghai export stock against local auctions and European imports. If you plan to import a used excavator to Kenya, Ghana or South Africa, this guide covers which mid-size classes travel well, what to inspect remotely, and how FOB/CIF from Shanghai usually works for Mombasa, Tema, Takoradi, Durban or similar ports.

Why Kenyan, Ghanaian and South African buyers source from China

China yards hold depth in CAT, Komatsu, Hitachi, SANY, XCMG, Doosan/Develon and Liugong machines that are hard to find clean locally at the same hour band. Freight from Shanghai to major African ports is a known lane for YCHS Machinery; total landed cost can favour a carefully inspected China unit — provided you avoid tired undercarriage and unclear serials.

Start from our excavators category and shortlist 20–22 ton and 30–36 ton classes that match your road, quarry or mining work. Model-specific guides for CAT 320, Komatsu PC200-8, Hitachi ZX200-5 / ZX350 and Doosan DX225 on this blog use one shared filming checklist. Nigeria and Latin America shipping notes are covered in earlier articles — this page focuses on Kenya, Ghana and South Africa lanes.

Model classes that fit East and West Africa jobs

20–22 ton: CAT 320, Komatsu PC200-8, Hitachi ZX200-5, SANY SY215, XCMG XE215, Doosan DX225, Liugong 922 for general earthworks and truck loading.
30–36 ton: CAT 330 / 336, Hitachi ZX350, Komatsu PC350 for quarry and heavy cut — only when freight and rail budgets allow.
Mini / midi: for urban and farm work where road permits matter.

Local parts density differs by country — ask your mechanic which filters and undercarriage brands they already stock before you fall in love with a badge. A cheaper FOB machine that needs rails after landing in Nairobi hinterland, Accra region or Gauteng can erase the “saving” quickly.

Remote inspection before you wire a deposit

Serial plate and hour meter in one continuous clip.
Cold start, smoke colour and idle quality.
Dig cycle under load plus travel straightness.
Undercarriage measurements and pad/sprocket photos.
Boom/stick weld areas wiped clean of paint cover-ups.
Cab electrics, A/C and active fault codes.
Export wash and packing plan once you select the unit.

YCHS can film the exact Shanghai yard machine the same day when stock is on site. Prefer video over brochure stills.

Shipping notes: Mombasa, Tema and Durban

Common choices are FOB Shanghai (your forwarder) or CIF once discharge port and stick removal needs are clear. Mid-size crawlers usually leave on flat-rack; confirm whether the stick and bucket must be removed for your chosen vessel.

Mombasa (Kenya): steady China–East Africa sailings; plan inland transport and KEBS/import timing early.
Tema / Takoradi (Ghana): flat-rack common for 20–30 ton units; align licence and duty estimates with your broker before sailing.
Durban / other SA ports: stricter age and compliance rules often apply — confirm year-of-manufacture limits before you shortlist.

Request draft commercial invoice, packing list and the exact serial before paying more than a small holding deposit. Import permits, age rules and duties remain the buyer’s responsibility — align licence timing with the sailing date so the machine does not sit unpaid at destination.

Payment discipline and surveyors

Pay the exporting company named on the invoice, not a personal account. A third-party surveyor can attend the Shanghai yard if your bank or partner requires it. Keep WhatsApp or email threads with clear unit IDs so there is no mix-up between similar CAT 320 or DX225 candidates.

How to request a useful shortlist

Send your discharge port (Mombasa, Tema, Durban, etc.), preferred tonnage, year/hours range, and whether you need hammer piping. A serious exporter replies with exact serials, undercarriage notes and same-day video — not a single “lowest price” figure with no machine behind it.

Sales WhatsApp / Tel: +86 180 1734 8066

Send your port, preferred tonnage and year/hours range. We will reply with matching units and yard video.

Import Used Excavator to Kenya, Ghana and South Africa from China