Nigeria remains one of the largest African destinations for Chinese-origin used construction machinery. If you want to import a used excavator to Nigeria from China, a clear process with a Shanghai yard exporter reduces the risk of buying a machine that looks good in photos but fails after landing in Lagos, Port Harcourt or other terminals.

Models Nigerian buyers request most often

20–22 ton: CAT 320 class, Komatsu PC200-8, Hitachi ZX200, Doosan DX225, Hyundai R220
30+ ton: CAT 330/336, Komatsu PC300/PC350 for heavier quarry loading
Mini/midi: city work, estates and sites where big machines cannot enter
Chinese brands: SANY SY215 and XCMG mid-size when local parts are already organised

Parts availability in Lagos and major cities should guide your badge choice as much as FOB price. A cheaper machine with no travel motor support nearby can strand a project.

Step-by-step import flow with a Shanghai exporter

Shortlist by video — cold start, dig cycle, undercarriage, serial + hours in one session
Agree commercial terms — FOB Shanghai or CIF Lagos (or your preferred Nigerian port)
Deposit against named serial — never pay full balance on an unnamed “similar unit”
Export wash, photos, packing — flat-rack or bulk as quoted; keep photo evidence
Ocean freight + Nigerian import clearance — use your licensed agent; rules and duties change, so verify locally every shipment
Port pickup and first service — filters, fluids, track tension, torque checks before first paid job

Questions to send on WhatsApp before you pay

Can you film serial plate and monitor hours in one shot today?
What is remaining undercarriage estimate (rail height or percent)?
Is hammer piping installed and tested?
What is FOB price and estimated CIF Lagos with current freight?
What documents will be on the set (invoice, packing list, bill of lading draft)?
Is the machine in the Shanghai yard now, or still inland?

Avoiding common Nigeria-bound buying mistakes

The expensive mistakes are usually undercarriage surprises, inland machines that miss sailing windows, and sellers who swap units after deposit. Work only with exporters who show the machine in the yard and keep the same serial through invoice and B/L. Be wary of prices far below market without a clear defect story.

Combining equipment on one logistics plan

Some importers pair a 20-ton excavator with a mini or a wheel loader on related sailings. Tell us early if you want a combined plan so packing and document sets stay organised.

Start from our excavators catalogue, then message the unit IDs you want locked for Nigeria. CAT and Komatsu brand pages are good starting filters for parts-sensitive fleets.

Sales WhatsApp / Tel: +86 180 1734 8066

Include your port, preferred brand/model, hours window and budget range. YCHS will reply with available Shanghai stock suited to Nigerian project conditions.

Finance, FX and deposit discipline

Naira and dollar timing can move total cost as much as freight. Agree the currency on the proforma, keep deposit receipts, and avoid paying individuals’ personal accounts when a company export account is available. If your bank needs an inspection report, say so early — YCHS can host a third-party surveyor at the Shanghai yard when scheduled.

Port and inland logistics tips

Lagos traffic and inland states change which trucking partners make sense. Confirm who unpacks the flat-rack, who holds the machine overnight, and whether you need temporary registration for road moves. A clean machine that sits unpaid at the terminal can accrue charges that dwarf a careful FOB saving. Align your clearing agent before the vessel sails, not after arrival notice.

For hammer-heavy quarry work, budget for a spare set of high-wear pins and a realistic undercarriage reserve. Nigerian laterite and rock punish rails; buying a machine with 40% undercarriage left is often wiser than buying the absolute lowest hour unit with rails already due.

Import Used Excavator to Nigeria from China: Shanghai Exporter Guide