Installing and commissioning Chinese machinery in the UK

Settle it before the order

Commissioning is where many machinery purchases go wrong, because it was never priced. Once the balance is paid, a supplier has little reason to send someone. So write it into the contract: on-site or remote support, the number of days on site, whether travel days count, who pays flights, accommodation and the visa, the daily rate for any extra days, and what training is included.

Define acceptance at your site too: the same test cut or cycle that was run at the factory, repeated on your floor, with a short list of what counts as a pass.

UK visitor rules for a Chinese technician

Nationals of the People's Republic of China are on the UK visa national list in the Immigration Rules, so a technician from mainland China needs a visitor visa before travelling. Allow time for the application in your project plan.

The Immigration Rules list permitted activities for visitors. Permitted activity PA 7 allows an employee of an overseas company to install, dismantle, repair, service or advise on machinery, or train UK-based workers to do so, where there is a contract of purchase, supply or lease with a UK company and the overseas company is the manufacturer or supplier, or is part of an after-sales arrangement agreed at the time of sale. A written sales contract that names the installation work supports that.

Remote commissioning

Many Chinese suppliers commission smaller machines remotely, by video call and remote access to the controller. That works when the machine is simple, the controller menus are in English and someone on your side is competent to follow instructions. Agree the hours of support, the time zone and the language before ordering, and ask for the manual and electrical schematic in English in advance.

Your side of the work

Prepare the site before the machine arrives: floor loading and space, access for delivery and lifting, the electrical supply to match the nameplate, compressed air if needed and dust or fume extraction. Connection to your supply should be done by a competent electrician.

Once the machine is in use, the employer has duties under the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998, including training the people who use it.

Checking the deal

If you have a quote for machinery from China, we can check it before you pay, with a free preliminary review, including whether installation and commissioning are covered. See also what to check before paying the balance and our CNC router guide.

Our machinery and equipment service covers the quote, the supplier checks and an inspection of the actual machine before the balance.