Guide to Importing and Shipping Robots from China


With the continuous development of science and technology, robots have become an indispensable part of our lives. They can not only complete complex tasks, but also interact more naturally with humans. This article will introduce you to the basic situation of importing and transporting robots in China

What is a robot

A robot is a mechanical equipment that performs specific tasks through programming, and has multiple capabilities such as perception, decision-making and execution. They can rely on their own power or external instructions to achieve various complex tasks. Robots are widely used in many fields such as industry, medical care, and services, greatly improving production efficiency and quality of life.

Shipping Robots from China

Composition of robots

Robots usually consist of three parts:

  • Mechanical structure: including drives, robotic arms, sensors, used to perform physical actions.
  • Control system: contains processors and programming software to receive commands and control the operation of robots.
  • Sensors: used to collect external information such as temperature, distance, pressure, to help robots make judgments.

Types of robots

Types of robots According to application scenarios and technical characteristics, robots are mainly divided into the following categories:

Industrial robots

Used in automated production in the manufacturing industry, including welding, assembly, spraying, handling and other tasks. Common types of industrial robots include:

  • Multi-joint robots: have multiple rotating joints and are suitable for situations where high flexibility is required.
  • SCARA robots: are used for fast handling and assembly tasks.
  • Gantry robots: are used for handling large items and have high load capacity.

Service robots

Service robots are designed to provide home, medical or commercial services to humans, such as:

  • Housework robots: such as sweeping robots and dishwashers.
  • Companion robots: such as smart pets and children’s education robots.

Medical robots

Robots used in the medical field, such as:

  • Surgical robots: help doctors perform precise surgical operations.
  • Rehabilitation robots: used to help patients with rehabilitation training.
  • Medical delivery robots: automatically deliver drugs to designated locations.

Agricultural robots
Agricultural robots are used to automate farming, fertilizing, harvesting and other operations, reduce labor input and improve production efficiency.

Logistics robots
Logistics robots are widely used in warehousing, sorting, loading and unloading, transportation and other processes, such as Amazon’s automated warehousing robots.

How to use the robot correctly

Adaptability of the working environment
The robot working environment should meet its design requirements, such as temperature, humidity, electromagnetic interference, etc., to ensure the normal operation of the robot. For example, industrial robots usually require stable temperature and humidity, and avoid working in an overly humid or high temperature environment.

Programming and debugging
Programming is the core of the robot’s task execution. To ensure the normal operation of the robot, the robot must be programmed, tested and debugged for specific application scenarios. For example, when an industrial robot is used on an assembly line, precise path planning and motion control are required.

Operation and maintenance
Operators need to undergo professional training and be familiar with the robot’s operating interface and precautions. In an industrial environment, avoid human contact with the robot’s mechanical arm in motion. At the same time, set an emergency stop button to prevent emergencies. Regularly maintain and service the robot, and check whether the motor, transmission components, sensors, etc. are working properly.

Why choose to import robots from China?

  • Technical strength: China has made significant progress in robotics technology research and development and manufacturing, and has a number of internationally competitive enterprises. Chinese robot products have performed well in many fields and have high cost performance and reliability.
  • Price advantage: Robots made in China are usually cheaper than products from European and American countries. Especially when small and medium-sized enterprises have limited budgets, importing robots from China can significantly reduce procurement costs.
  • Diversified choices: China has a wealth of robot manufacturers that can provide multiple types of robots to adapt to different application scenarios and needs.
  • Industrial chain advantages: China has a complete manufacturing industry chain and supply chain system, which provides strong support for robot production. China’s robot industry is closely connected with upstream and downstream industries, forming a good coordinated development trend.

How to import robots from China

Find suppliers

Potential suppliers can be found through B2B platforms (such as Alibaba, 1688.com), exhibitions (such as China International Industry Fair) or by contacting robot manufacturers. Evaluate the supplier’s qualifications, export experience and after-sales service capabilities to ensure that you choose a reliable supplier.

Sign an import contract

Negotiate and sign an import contract with the supplier to clarify the rights and obligations of both parties.
The contract should include key terms such as the specifications, quantity, price, delivery date, quality standards, etc. of the robot.

Import and transport from China

Choosing the right mode of transportation is the key to successfully importing robots. Robots are usually large in size and heavy in weight and need to be transported by sea or air. Make sure that the supplier’s packaging of the robot meets international transportation standards to avoid damage during transportation.

Import duties and taxes

Pay the corresponding import duties and value-added tax according to the regulations of the Chinese Customs.
Note that the tariff rate and calculation method may vary depending on the type of product and the country of origin.

Customs clearance and release

Prepare relevant import documents, such as bills of lading, invoices, contracts, commercial invoices, packing lists, certificates of origin, etc. Submit the required documents to the local customs and apply for import clearance. Compliance with local and international laws is essential to avoid delays and penalties. After obtaining the customs release notice, arrange to pick up the goods and go through the relevant procedures.

Installation and commissioning

After the robot arrives, arrange professional technicians to install and commission it. If the purchase volume is large, it is recommended to negotiate with the supplier to provide on-site installation services to ensure that the robot can be put into use normally.

How To Ship robots From China To Your Country

  • Choose the appropriate transportation method: Choose the appropriate transportation method, such as sea transportation, air transportation or land transportation, based on factors such as the quantity, volume and transportation time of the goods.
  • Arrange transportation and insurance: Negotiate with Chinese suppliers to arrange transportation and insurance of goods.
  • Track the status of goods: Through the tracking system of China Freight Forwarding Company, you can know the transportation status of goods in real time.
  • Customs clearance and delivery: After the goods arrive at the destination country, customs clearance and delivery procedures must be carried out in accordance with local customs regulations.

Choose the appropriate shipping method (such as sea shipping, air shipping, etc.) to ship robots from China to your country. When choosing a transportation company, you can consider its transportation experience, service quality, price and other factors. Shipping companies usually provide a series of services such as door-to-door pickup, packaging, customs clearance, transportation and door-to-door delivery to reduce your burden.

For shipping from China to your country, it is best to find a China freight forwarding company to serve you, Below is the shipping information about shipping from China to different countries. If you are interested, you can click on the link to read:

How To Ship robots From China To Your CountryHow To Ship robots From China To Your Country

Price Of Shipping robots From China

Estimating robots shipping costs requires considering a variety of factors. Size, weight, destination, shipping method, and additional services like insurance or expedited shipping all affect the final cost. It is crucial to get accurate shipping quotes from different carriers or shipping companies to compare prices and services.

In 2024, the sea freight from major ports in China (such as Shanghai and Tianjin) to the West Coast of the United States (such as Los Angeles) will be approximately US$100 to US$250/ton. For specific prices, please consult the Chinese freight forwarder Basenton Logistics.

As a rough estimate, shipping a 40-foot container from China to the U.S. West Coast costs between $2,500 and $4,000. For the U.S. East Coast, costs may increase by $3,000 to $4,500 due to longer shipping distances.

For more detailed information on the cost of shipping from China to the United States, please click on the link:

Price Of robots From ChinaPrice Of robots From China

If you are shipping not to the United States, but to Germany, France, Spain, Romania, Turkey, Hungary or other countries, and want to know the cost of shipping from China to the destination country, you can read the following post.

With the continuous advancement of technology and the continuous expansion of the market, I believe that robots will play a more important role globally. There are many advantages to importing robots from China. I hope you can learn about them through this article and make your goods arrive smoothly.





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