Plant and heavy machinery shipping is a regular service line at TheShipCars Worldwide. We export JCB backhoes, Caterpillar 320 excavators, Komatsu wheel loaders, Volvo dumpers, Manitou telehandlers and Hyundai cranes from UK plant dealers and end users to construction projects across Africa, the Middle East and Asia every week.
Loading method by machine type
Wheeled and tracked machines under 8t and 2.4m wide can ship in a 40ft container with ramp loading. Larger excavators, wheel loaders and cranes ship by RoRo on heavy decks, Flat Rack container for boom-down craning, or breakbulk for ultra-heavy units.
- Mini excavators (1–8t) — 20ft or 40ft container
- JCB 3CX backhoe — 40ft container or RoRo
- CAT 320/325 — RoRo or Flat Rack
- Wheel loaders, dumpers, cranes — RoRo or breakbulk
Preparation: fluids, batteries, attachments
Fuel tank max quarter-full. Hydraulic oil sealed. Battery disconnected. Tracks/wheels washed of all UK soil to pass destination biosecurity. Attachments (buckets, breakers, augers) shipped separately or bolted/strapped to the chassis. Quick-hitches secured.
Documents and HS codes
Plant export needs the original purchase invoice, machine serial number documentation, photographic record, EORI and HS code (typically 8429 for earth-moving). Some destinations require pre-shipment inspection (PSI) by SGS, Bureau Veritas or Intertek before loading.
Pre-shipment inspection (PSI)
Nigeria, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Mozambique and several other African destinations require government-mandated PSI of used plant before export. We coordinate the inspection booking, attend on site and obtain the Clean Report of Findings.
Pricing
Mini excavator to Lagos £1,650 (40ft container), CAT 320 to Mombasa £2,950 RoRo, wheel loader to Dubai £3,250 RoRo. PSI inspections typically £450–£950 per machine.
Insurance
Plant marine cover priced 1.4%–1.8% of declared value, including attachments shipped with the machine.
Frequently asked questions
Ready to ship?
Get a free, no-obligation quote in under 60 seconds.