OK, tell me about importing a PnP machine from China to the USA. - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Rat_Patrol
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 27, 2025, 01:17:11 am
content: I've never imported machinery or anything bigger than what FedEx will ship, so I'm totally new to this.I'm not even sure what questions to ask, so I need the "importing for dummies" edition. I'm about as far away from the coast as one can get, if that matters.I'm still getting quotes, but looking at a 64-80 lane model.Tariffs I'm sure, yay. I believe PnP machines are exempt from duties though? They were when I got my desktop PnP years back.Thanks!

author: Jackster
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 27, 2025, 01:51:12 am
content: Get the supplier to give you Door to Door service.DDP is Delivery duty Paid so you pay up front for everything and hopefully you just get the machine dropped to your door with no paperwork to fill or things to pay.FOB is Free On Board, the supplier will put the machine on a boat and when it gets close to landing, you will get a shipping bill and customs bill. Bit of an unknown on what you will pay so DDP is better.Go with DDP Door to Door, if you want the easy route. It is cheaper most of the time as well.If you go with a 64-80 feeder model, they arrive in pallet crates and you will need something to lift the machine off the pallet or you can roll it off if you like to live dangerously.

author: erikfriesen
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: February 27, 2025, 02:00:48 am
content: Buy a used machine, will probably cost less and be more capable. Machines are pretty cheap right now.

author: Rat_Patrol
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 27, 2025, 04:10:50 am
content: Quote from: erikfriesen on February 27, 2025, 02:00:48 amI really couldn't find anything, and I'm not in a position to travel far to inspect/transport a machine that may/may not need repair.Been emailing HWGC and I'm most likely going with them.

author: 48X24X48X
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 27, 2025, 07:33:05 am
content: Good choice. Even though I didn't buy directly from them as I bought much earlier when they still didn't sell direct, they still support me. Liu of HWGC is very helpful and willing to help even shipping tiny valve to you. Okay, hope that doesn't derail your import topic.On a different note, any HWGC owner here, do get a spare conveyor belt ready because mine snapped after few years of use.

author: SMTech
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 27, 2025, 08:39:24 am
content: Quote from: Rat_Patrol on February 27, 2025, 04:10:50 amI rather got the impression the USA had a rather better selection of used SMT equipment than we get here in the UK.Here are two sources I know of from LinkedIn :https://www.midwestsmt.com/https://www.lewis-clark.com/there are a few others too, even if you don't find them via Google a lot of them put short videos on Youtube walking round machines they are selling and sell working machines so you maybe don't need to travel.In the UK, that you can find online you get Shawline & maybe Adopt, and that's your lot. There are others, but they don't advertise what they have or what they do and seem to rely on mysterious networks to stay in business. New machine sellers might occasionally resell something they've just replaced but a lot of those machines seem to go for scrap.

author: erikfriesen
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: February 27, 2025, 10:07:41 am
content: I saw some Samsung cp45fv neos and feeders go for about $3000 here.

author: SMTech
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 27, 2025, 11:35:10 am
content: Quote from: erikfriesen on February 27, 2025, 10:07:41 amAt that point there's a good chance you'd have a similar adventure to@rx8pilotor@jmelsonwith their old Quad machines. That's 20 years after all, you'd want to know it hadn't been thrashed all that time.

author: mon2
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 27, 2025, 12:18:46 pm
content: Suggest to:a) contact Benson (see below) whom we met at the last Hong Kong Electronic trade fair. They have a very large presence in Shenzhen, CN and recently shipped to us door-to-door 2 large crates of ESD benches and carts for our SMT line. Review their website and videos for more details. This firm has been very responsive to whatsapp chats / emails and was a very smooth process for our purchases.Quoteb) work with the vendor of the SMT equipment for the same.Have you already selected the SMT equipment? If not, are you open to suggestions?

author: Mangozac
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 27, 2025, 09:49:24 pm
content: Quote from: SMTech on February 27, 2025, 08:39:24 amI get notifications every week from SMTnet about auctions for US manufacturers shutting down. Lots of good stuff available.

author: rx8pilot
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 03, 2025, 09:37:18 pm
content: Quote from: SMTech on February 27, 2025, 11:35:10 am"Adventure" is a fair characterizationThe bulk of my adventure was the result in buying a broken machine without documentation as my very first intro to PCBA. The learning curve was comically steep, but I had fun. After getting everything repaired and dialed-in, it has been really nice having assembly capability. Even as PCBA has become far more accessible to small players like me, there are limitations that make me happy I can do my own boards in small quantities.I do not recommend buying any system that is not in working condition.

author: Rat_Patrol
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 04, 2025, 01:04:13 am
content: Well, getting payment squared away for the import.Fingers crossed! I'm most worried about any tariff surprises

author: jmelson
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 04, 2025, 02:30:20 am
content: Quote from: erikfriesen on February 27, 2025, 10:07:41 amOh MAN! That is an incredible deal! I'm struggling with a 20+ year old Quad QSA30A (which is basically a CP30 with Quad alignment cameras and Quad feeders). But, it actually works pretty well, and now that I've figured it out, I would not want to change. I have about $8000 (US) invested in it, including about 30+ feeders.Jon

author: jmelson
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 04, 2025, 02:38:31 am
content: Quote from: rx8pilot on March 03, 2025, 09:37:18 pmYES! I took a BIG leap in buying a machine from an auction without inspecting it. It was something somebody apparently bought to tinker with, they swapped out some wrong parts (like an entire placement head) and then abandoned the machine in an uncontrolled environment in Austin, TX for SIX years! (I figured this out from operation logs on the computer disk.) The machine worked for 3 days after I got it delivered, and then boards started going out. Luckily, the base model (CP30) was really common, and spare parts are very available. I did have to get manuals duplicated by somebody who had one, and I got hooked up with the guy who trained customers at the Quad factory. Never would have gotten it running without his help!!Jon