Project note

Checking a Chinese CNC router quote before paying the balance

A UK workshop had a CIF quote for a Chinese CNC router with an automatic tool changer and asked us to check the supplier, the paperwork and the real landed cost before paying the 70% balance.

Enquiry: September 2026

What the buyer asked

The buyer had a proforma invoice for one CNC router with a 6-position automatic tool changer and a rotary axis, quoted CIF to a UK port, on 30% deposit and 70% before shipping. Packed, it measured about 2.75 × 2.25 × 2.15 m: around 13.3 m³ and 900 kg.

They wanted an itemised landed cost to their workshop, advice on CIF versus FOB versus EXW, a check of the supplier and the quote, and a view on CE documents and inspection before the balance was paid.

What we checked

The commodity code on the invoice (8465 99 00) and the code for machining centres (8465 20 00), because the machine has a tool changer.
Each line of the CIF quote, including the ocean-freight line, against public 2026 China–UK freight benchmarks.
The seller's identity: the company on the invoice and bank details against the company shown on a public export profile.
The CE and UK paperwork the supplier said it could provide.
China's declaration and verification requirements for exporting machine tools, in force from 30 June 2026.

What we found

Both commodity codes currently carry 2% GB duty, so the classification question does not change the duty today. It should still be confirmed before entry.
The quote already covered the sea leg, so there was no reason to re-quote it. What was missing was the UK end: destination charges, customs clearance, delivery to the workshop and an all-in figure.
The ocean-freight line was €68 for about 13.3 m³, which is unusually low against public benchmarks. That does not prove anything is wrong, but it is a reason to get the UK destination agent's name and full destination charges before shipping. At this size a 20ft full container is also worth comparing with shared (LCL) freight.
The invoice and the bank beneficiary named one company; a public export profile showed a differently named related company. There may be a simple explanation, so we advised getting the current business licence and a written explanation of the seller, exporter and bank beneficiary before releasing the 70%.
A generic CE certificate is not enough. We listed what to ask for: the Declaration of Conformity for the exact machine and configuration, an English manual, the electrical schematic, nameplate and serial details, the standards applied and the safety information.
Under the new China rules the exporter must decide, from the real specification, whether the machine falls in the controlled scope. Either way, export can take longer and may involve extra document review or inspection.
We recommended inspecting the finished machine before the balance: power-up, controller, XYZ and rotary axes, spindle, tool-changer cycle, limit switches, emergency stop, a test cut, accessories, documents and packing.

Status

Preliminary review sent. The buyer chose to stay with the quoted machine and asked for the simplest delivery to the workshop door. Our inspection recommendation and a door-to-door delivery quote were in preparation when this note was written.

What this means for other buyers

Read every line of a CIF quote. A very low freight line can move cost to the UK end, so ask who the destination agent is and what they charge.
Check that the seller, the exporter and the bank beneficiary are the same company, or get the difference explained in writing, before paying the balance.
For machinery, ask for the Declaration of Conformity for your exact configuration, and see the finished machine running before the final payment.

Anonymised: we do not name the buyer, their business, the brands involved or the factories. Every fact comes from our own project file for this enquiry; nothing has been added.

Working on something similar?

Ask about a similar project WhatsApp us