Ordering a Mini Excavator 2.5T from China via Alibaba - Entire Purchase Process and import to the US

I purchased a mini excavator, 2.5 Tons, on Alibaba. It is model SD25B from Shandong Davoo Machinery. This video describes the ordering process, import taxes, US handling charges, and getting ready for pick-up.
Check out the unboxing video here: • Collecting my Alibaba ...
Our Amazon Affiliate Store: tinyurl.com/3b5auz9x
shorturl.at/egzJK - SD25B
shorturl.at/jxCJ1 - Shandong Davoo Machinery
#alibaba #miniexcavator #passivehouse #ownerbuilder

[@einarmikkelsenPNW]

Unboxing of the same excavator - kzbin.info/www/bejne/a36skIOlh6-Am8k

[@davidmays2161]

Thanks for sharing your experience and hidden costs. Looking forward to seeing video of your machine.

[@einarmikkelsenPNW]

Good news! The follow-up video is here :) kzbin.info/www/bejne/a36skIOlh6-Am8k

[@Leo-fk9ch]

I own a 32 piece heavy equipment company, machines that range from 2T to 45T excavators, dozers and backhoes. Been at it for two decades. Four years ago, my company was engaged by two Chinese companies to use and review their mini (2.5T) and mid size (10T) excavators, I put three into use for six months. All of this in exchange for real world reviews. I found that each were what I’d consider medium duty. Unlike major brands, I use Caterpillar almost exclusively, the power and pivot points of the Chinese machines were insufficient. Although the price of these units was a fourth of what the majors get, they were not able to do the same task. Wear and tear was an issue, the Chinese units required at least twice the upkeep. So, you get what you pay for, as always. I alway recommend to the inexperienced to rent first. You’ll quickly and painlessly learn exactly the size and configuration of the machine you need. Then, you can do a cost breakdown. A majority of the time a person will quickly summarize that renting is the best option. My conclusion on the Chinese units. They are over rated in digging force, stability and endurance. The engines and hydraulics are adequate but under heavy loads they don’t support the ratings. For light digging, they are fine. Hard soils, heavy boulders or stumps, not so. A comparable major brand will vastly out perform. I’d suspect we will see several of the Chinese units flood the market in the years to come, and they will eventually be sold used. That is where the cautious buyer will get the steep bargains without the shipping costs, delays and hassles.

[@lazerusmfh]

Under rated comment

[@antonsjoberg]

There is the name brands in China which would be equivalent to Caterpillar think Sany etc, these Alibaba brands are mostly just trading companies and their machines are not up to the task and you will be over-paying. A Chinese operator knowing the real price of these though he would never buy them would laugh.

[@einarmikkelsenPNW]

I hope it will hold up to digging my ditches for Geothermal loops, French drains, and moving logs. So far, so good.

[@einarmikkelsenPNW]

I agree. Very detailed and insightful.

[@einarmikkelsenPNW]

So far so good, but I am only 25 hours of operation in.

[@ChatterontheWire]

Thanks for the full run down on costs. Good to know about all the other pieces/parts!

[@einarmikkelsenPNW]

You bet!

[@tonymunn]

Wow! What a process. I hope it is all worth it in the end. Thank you.

[@einarmikkelsenPNW]

It was!

[@Dr.Reason]

I have looked a long time for this kind of useful information on KZbin. Thank you very much.

[@einarmikkelsenPNW]

You are welcome. I am kist now releasing my 150 hour follow up. Make sure to watch it before you order.

[@nyrangers3150]

Thanks for putting this video up. Makes my decision easier!

[@einarmikkelsenPNW]

You are welcome. If you haven't ordered yet, watch my last video about 150 hours of operations update. It includes things I wish I had asked for.

[@samslaughter6613]

It actually arrived, incredible you are lucky!

[@einarmikkelsenPNW]

I purchased from a company that had been in business for a long time.

[@LordFalconsword]

I'm a licensed customs broker (LCB). Your forwarder was merciful. I usually charged $1,200 for a single entry bond, and his entry fee of only $140 was reasonable. That said, a third of his charges are what we called 'fillers', and explains why his entry fee was so bad. If I had a half million I'd probably get my port license somewhere and start bringing these little guys in. With my own truck and a couple guys I could retail those excavators for about $20k.

[@einarmikkelsenPNW]

Thank you for that insight. That would be a good business. I plan on buying a planet/moulder for all the wood that I am having milled these days. What would be the most efficient way of importing this while missing the fillers? The fuel surcharge was the worst.

[@LordFalconsword]

@@einarmikkelsenPNW Sadly the fuel surcharge is beyond your ability to avoid. The best way to mitigate is if you had an FCL (full container load). Your excavator came LCL (less than container load) and that's why they dogpiled on you. The forwarder and their overseas agent contract with a steamship line for a full container and then fill it with lots of small loads. They likely have dozens or hundreds of containers like this every week. They get a discounted rate on that margin and make more profit by charging large fuel surcharges to each consolidator down the road. If you want to do this going forward (not a one-off) your best bet is to find a freight forwarder, explain you're building a business, and start negotiating space on a regular basis. If you stay with one-off, you have limited options. Sorry.

[@einarmikkelsenPNW]

@@LordFalconsword thank you so much for the detailed explanation.

[@alb2571]

@LordFalconsword thank you for all 5hat insight man, you'll get an imports partner soon

[@kittyfan8233]

The machine looks great, congrats on getting the right machine🎉

[@einarmikkelsenPNW]

Thank you! Here is the unboxing video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/a36skIOlh6-Am8k

[@brockdelorenzo7505]

Looks great. Thanks for sharing. That’s a great size and much better than the smaller cheaper ones. That’s a good price overall

[@einarmikkelsenPNW]

Thanks for watching! I appreciate it

[@karensparks7996]

great video. thank you

[@einarmikkelsenPNW]

Thank you

[@freddyf530]

This is an interesting perspective. Here in Florida, I could hit a few local auctions and get a banging deal on an excavator like that or larger. (or even shop the local used market). It is not unheard of in this area to score a piece of equipment with similar specs, or better than the chinese unit, for around $10,000. All those taxes, unexpected fees, and paperwork would've been a test of my willpower lol.

[@natebenefield738]

where are you seeing these deals? I've looked and looked and I can't find anything under 30k that isn't beaten to heck

[@einarmikkelsenPNW]

$10k would be amazing 🤩 I can't find anything close to that here in the Seattle area.

[@themetalfusionologist]

I see a lot of guys arguing the “you can find one local for less”, I’m in SC, and while this area has tons of construction happening, that also opens good deals on equipment. Definitely won’t find one half the cost, but could possibly find one used, but a tad bigger, enclosed cab, etc for around the same price after all the “fine print” fees. Those import brokers on our end are literally screwing people bc they know they can & there’s nothing anyone can do bc they’re a necessity to get your goods in. Anyway, I like the idea of a new machine for the price, but damn that’s a lot of headache

[@freddyf530]

@@themetalfusionologist I hadn't yet verified my account at the time i made that comment, so i think my replies were removed for that reason, but i found a machine local to NE FL for $10k with near identical specs to the one in this video, and it was a 2023 model. It's definitely regional, and its definitely rare. But it is entirely possible.

[@einarmikkelsenPNW]

@@themetalfusionologist Thanks for your support. It was a long process, but I did enjoy learning something new.

[@abramjanzen6826]

Very informative, will likely make decisions accordingly

[@einarmikkelsenPNW]

You are welcome. If you haven't ordered yet, watch my last video about 150 hours of operations update. It includes things I wish I had asked for.

[@Theemersonday]

I have been thinking of doing the same as for for a while but I was scared to order from china. Thank you for making such an informative video. This is very well put together. Gives me some more data points to order local or from china.

[@user-me4dl3qe2i]

Are you interested in mini excavators? I am the supplier of the excavator in the video

[@user-ew2gg3so9z]

Hello friend, have a good day, this is Denny the sales manager of Rippa, a professoional excavator manufacturer since 2014, we can supply many models excavator. Tell us what we can assist you.

[@mad151maxx4]

​@郭晓东 I'm thinking of purchasing one, I have order several things from ALIBABA, with really no issues when did my connect was awsome both times. BUT IM WORRIED about extra fees. Everything I order I get CIF CASH,INSURANCE, FRIEIGHT SO I just pay to my door. But never got something this heavy. Would love to talk. I want to purchase by end of year. Thx if can help

[@einarmikkelsenPNW]

Glad I could help!

[@portlandlocalchurch8168]

​@@einarmikkelsenPNWso this was a diesel powered unit? What size engine? 3cyl? 23hp?

[@Used-Excavators-mj2nc]

Hi, bro, thank you so much for your video. It is really interesting.

[@einarmikkelsenPNW]

Glad you liked it

[@3ffrige]

Haha you said the process is straight forward. Straight forward for smart people with money. I’m not a smart people, nor do I have a lot of money.

[@einarmikkelsenPNW]

Hahaha 🤣 It was cheaper than buying a new one here. Yes, the paperwork ended up being a lot, but I got there in the end.

[@BrandonBurns1985]

Thanks for this. I always wondered. Now I know it’s an awful experience and stupid costs involved to even get it to your door.

[@einarmikkelsenPNW]

I wouldn't say all that. I enjoyed it. You just have to know what to expect and what to bring.

[@xXB.FunkXx]

Thanks for making us aware of all the hidden costs. I was interested in getting one of these but the extra cost makes it out of budget.

[@einarmikkelsenPNW]

Glad I could help!

[@DoRC]

Yeah with all the fees and stuff I think it would be better just to buy locally. I'm sure you get a lightly used Kubota with similar specifications for that amount of money or maybe even less.

[@einarmikkelsenPNW]

It is hard to know all the costs right off the bat.

[@DoRC]

@@einarmikkelsenPNW Yeah for sure. I wouldn't have guessed that it would cost that much more on the back end

[@dammitbobby283]

It's like buying a car in the US from a dealer lot. The advertised price is $13.000. The real price is $26,000.

[@einarmikkelsenPNW]

Exactly

[@robertmccully2792]

Thanks for the honesty,, that will take you far in life.

[@einarmikkelsenPNW]

You bet

[@Initial-Machinery]

Perfect ❤

[@einarmikkelsenPNW]

Thanks

[@peep39]

"the process was pretty straightforward" good god. you could probably start a business importing these things and handling all that. I wouldn't go near something like this. I have a hard enough time buying local things and having a successful outcome. Time is precious as well. My mind keeps wandering back to buying straight from china but in the end I always just go looking through the used machinery listings

[@einarmikkelsenPNW]

It really wasn't that bad. The import paperwork was the worst.

[@benchoflemons398]

Some people do have a business importing them and re-branding them

[@mauricetanquary2431]

@@einarmikkelsenPNW Would you be interested in being a middle man for people looking to buy these equipment? Do all the import stuff, tack on a percentage for yourself, and let the buyer pick up the item at your yard?

[@jst_TV]

Watching this is just like watching Donut Media’s Chang Li import video, but with extra zeroes added to the end. Those taxes and fees are a killer, geez. Also, you should pin a comment with a link to the follow-up so more people see it

[@einarmikkelsenPNW]

Good idea. I am new to KZbin, so I appreciate the help.

[@derekfowler5503]

If you can unload yourself...ddp is usually cheaper..with ddp you know before your finish the order what your total cost will be. The only other fee you will need to pay with ddp, is generally the rental of a fork lift to unload your shipment..the con of ddp is that you need to pay in full before or when the product ships. It sounds like you did CIF. CiF is good because you have time to pay the duties and agents fees so that could give you another.30 days or more until you need to pay the 25% duty ..however as you learned you never know what the port is going to charge- they come up with new fees while you are waiting

[@einarmikkelsenPNW]

I will keep this in mind when I buy a wood planing and molding machine in about a year.

[@tenthousandwords]

Thanks for the informative video, Einar! I feel like talking to a historian. I might have missed it, but were you ever asked about EPA certification on the engine emission from customs?

[@einarmikkelsenPNW]

Yes, the certificate was required for the import documents.

[@frontagulus]

Thanks for posting this Einar, it's great to have all the (inflated) fees exposed that are associated with importing products. Did you find any opportunity for negotiating the fees? Are there any that could be worked around or avoided using different tactics?

[@einarmikkelsenPNW]

There were no opportunities to negotiate. However, the smallest fees for oversize shipment would have been avoided by not having the enclosed cab. Because it was too tall for one crate, it had to be removed and shipped separately.

[@oersson]

I have heard that shipping to your door can work well. AND maybe avoid rip-off port fees. I'll be importing a 1T all electric lithium 15kwh mini soon. With 10 attachments runs about $9K in Shandong China. Wondering how much shipping customs and fees will run. Based on this fantastic video (thanks Einer!) I can realistically estimate 50% additional coming to $13.5k. Unfortunately haven't seen any electrics in USA yet. Seems pretty cutting edge still. But let's face it: fossil fuel engines with all their fluids and fumes can be a nightmare. I'll be contacting the port of Portland about door to door service.

[@tracy419]

​@@oerssonhow far along are you in getting the electric version? Any details to offer? I'd love an electric one.

[@BaconAstronaut]

Next time request DDP sea freight shipping... Your life would have been so much easier

[@einarmikkelsenPNW]

Thanks for the tip.

[@oersson]

Sorry what's ddp?

[@2006mrderrickh]

Ddp??

[@BoJoFohPah]

It always comes as a shock to first time buyers on Alibaba about just how many hidden charges and taxes are involved in getting the product to them. You'd think shipping would be as easy as using a courier but there's about 20 different companies involved in one shipment and it's near impossible to coordinate unless you are a forwarding agent. It still all works out cheaper than buying domestic over all.

[@einarmikkelsenPNW]

I wanted everyone to see the hidden fees.

[@christophercarr8717]

The real issue is the depreciation of it which will be drastic. I would be curious to know the hours used at the end of the build and wonder if they would have been better off just renting as needed. Obviously renting has the issues of not having the exact time you need it but you don’t have to worry about breaking, storing it (long term) and maintenance.

[@einarmikkelsenPNW]

I use it every week so rental is not an option for me b

[@smurface549]

Renting is great if you have a short, single project where you have a pretty good understanding of what's to be done and how long it takes. On the other hand, if you own the machine, you're gonna find many uses for it where you would never consider renting due to cost and effort. Of course it depends a little on the machine type, but e.g. I own a backhoe loader. I'd never rent any large equipment for removing snow from my property for an hour every two weeks. But still it saves my back a couple times every winter and makes things possible. Or at this time of the year (northern Europe) there's not a lot of daylight to make use of, and it's getting worse. So removing tree stumps is pretty much one or two a day. I certainly won't rent a machine for two weeks just to have it sitting on my yard 23 hours a day and get charged like I'd use it around the clock. With owning there's obviously a large upfront payment before you get to even use the machine, the ongoing maintenance fees, and all the headache you get when a hydraulic hose blows or a mechanical part breaks. It's not a solution for everyone and every project. But if you have longer lasting work and the occasional project coming in, there's pretty much no alternative. As always, pick wisely and don't do a gut decision.

[@mattholland8966]

Yeah, I needed one for a big project, I just rented it. They delivered it to site and they picked it up when I was done. Had it the day I needed it.

[@einarmikkelsenPNW]

I need one for an extended period. I have so many projects that require an excavator. I looked into renting vs owning and would have spent about 10k renting. Plus, I have mad man points now!

[@Thelastmistake]

Congrats ,I want to thank you for posting this video as a lot of people have learned from it .I am in the market also for a miniex but I see at auctions all over US for example a agrotk nt30 or nt45 which are a bit bigger than yours and go for even 11000$plus auction fees ,and are brand new 0 hrs.Were you not aware of it at the time ?Also I am also european but live in Texas and want to import a full container in houston with construction materials,the question is :the 25% is only for china imports?or from EU also?Thank you again

[@einarmikkelsenPNW]

Thank you for the kind words. I believe it is a tax on China only. I haven't looked into what it is from Europe.

[@michaelj2505]

Good ol uncle Sam taxing us to death on other people's items

[@BrewingViking]

Yeah, it is to protect the domestic producers. Too complicated and deep for me :)

[@einarmikkelsenPNW]

I have since looked for Japanese companies to get around the import tax that was placed on China a few years back. What I found was that the majority of the large Japanese companies had their manufacturing in China, just like US companies are producing their phones, trucks, and much more outside the US.

[@tracy419]

​@@BrewingVikingprotecting American producers by gouging American consumers 🙄😄

[@einarmikkelsenPNW]

Well, yes :) @@tracy419

[@perjohannessen3360]

Einar Mikkelsen sounds like a swedish name or northern european name, great video btw. Good choice with the yanmar engine.

[@einarmikkelsenPNW]

Thanks. I was born and raised in Norway.

[@GOPHERS_PC10]

👍👍👍👍

[@einarmikkelsenPNW]

Thanks

[@default_user_id]

5 year old used minis go for about $5k in Seattle, name brand with support and available parts

[@einarmikkelsenPNW]

Where? Send me to the place where I can buy those.

[@oersson]

Ditto have not seen anything like that. But maybe I'm just ignorant. Please share your links!

[@_Keto_Diet]

Very easy to unintentionally flip these over😬! New ones sell for around 3500us - 4500us plus buyer fees at auctions in my area. I would buy one for occasional work around the property.

[@einarmikkelsenPNW]

Where do you live? I would buy more for that price!

[@_Keto_Diet]

@@einarmikkelsenPNW Sorry. I don't share that but Google search would be a way to find such auctions. There's auction result websites that will list many auctions with results.

[@ThirteenTwentyRepair]

@@einarmikkelsenPNWI agree that price is cheap !! I’m in an expensive part of CA and see these locally new for between $6900-15,000. Of course I would save a lot not having to import it. I appreciate your honesty in the hidden prices, it makes me feel better about paying out 10K cash and not paying any taxes.

[@einarmikkelsenPNW]

@@ThirteenTwentyRepair We don't have any of these for those prices up here, or I would have jumped on it.

[@brockdelorenzo7505]

This is a 2.5. Larger than the typical cheap ones

[@Dream4Design]

in Europe, I paid 27k for new kubota 1.9t, 3 hours on it.

[@einarmikkelsenPNW]

Congrats! I hope you love it.

[@ictviamfortruthgoogleisspa5886]

Agrotic Industiries is now in USA Chicago $6000 warranty and part But unfortunately they dont make bigger mini ex

[@einarmikkelsenPNW]

Got it

[@markusr1308]

I see lots of brand new mini excavators on auctions here in California. People think they are getting a good deal while they still overpay.

[@einarmikkelsenPNW]

How much do they go for?

[@KarasCyborg]

Thanks for this, 9k in junk fees on a 17500 purchase, or roughly 51% of the cost of the unit! That's pretty steep.

[@einarmikkelsenPNW]

I agree!

[@snozcocram]

Thank you for answering the question. What does it really cost? Too much.

[@einarmikkelsenPNW]

...or at least a lot more than the price listed.

[@DAS-Videos]

Holy crow. All those extra charges. That's pushing it into the Kubota range.

[@einarmikkelsenPNW]

I know, right? I do have a Yanmar engine, so that makes me feel more secure in my purchase

[@rontopping2048]

26500 total cost . You could purchase a kubota u27 for less than 30k . And sell it for 25 to 30 in 5 years

[@einarmikkelsenPNW]

With all those options? For that cost? Send me a link for delivery here in the Pacific northwest

[@chrs1212]

What, where?!! You can't even touch a U27 with 1500 hours on it, for < $34k

[@rp5627]

Curious if after this process and cash-out cost, if you did this again, would you buy a kubota zero down, zero interest and use it until you were done and re sell it?

[@einarmikkelsenPNW]

That could be a very good option. I will sell mine once I am done building the house and the garage. I'll let you know once I see the resell value :)

[@dakotak8437]

Ya i bought a forestry mulcher and i didnt know about getting a broker and paying extra fees and the doc fees and all that its crazy be nice if it can all be done threw one person or a better way and telling the person befor buying but they dont care

[@einarmikkelsenPNW]

Yes. I agree.

[@basilyousif3077]

If there are these areas in the US where you can find a great deal on a excivator used or at local auctions it might be worth it to drive one back from say south carolina or Florida. Find the excavator on line and go pick it up. I doubt that the excavator police are going to check your machine out in the field to see if it is good to be used in your state as far as epa standards. You Dig!!!

[@einarmikkelsenPNW]

You are not allowed to import one if it doesn't have an EPA certified engine. Mine is a Yanmar. Here in the Pacific northwest, there are no cheap excavators available. A drive diagonally across the country might be cheaper and faster than ordering from China, but it wasn't for me. I wanted that new excavator smell.

[@fredduncan1610]

Einar, this is a great video. I am close to purchasing one myself,though only a 1.2t. I have been budgeting $1k for the misc. fees, but that fuel surcharge fee you had took my breadth away. What part of the process was that $1,184 attributed to? Thanks!

[@einarmikkelsenPNW]

I have no idea what the fuel surcharge was all about. It was charged by Carotrans, which dealt with the handling here in Seattle.

[@jaylast1958]

On things like this you might want to figure about 50% over their price for shipping and duty/customs.

[@Tom-fz6pe]

With the hidden costs, it seems to make more sense to pay a bit more and get something locally, which can also be serviced locally. Thoughts?

[@einarmikkelsenPNW]

That could very well be.

[@johnskillen6208]

i picked up a old 215 cat for 27 grand , half a hour away . 500 dollar to bring home it has gravel and landscaping bucket..

[@einarmikkelsenPNW]

That is a good deal!

[@donhoe100]

The guy doing the demo probably took a year of life off the tracks???

[@einarmikkelsenPNW]

Yes that was some abuse!

[@jonathanbarajas1]

All in all, what’s your total? Also would you have to pay the import tax for each unit or just the container?

[@einarmikkelsenPNW]

There is a spreadsheet towards the end of the video and shows the costs. The tax was based on the purchase price.

[@stoneyislandranch9783]

Same question I was wondering..

[@23desdfe345r2fd23f23]

wow $150 shipping turned into $10k real fast.

[@einarmikkelsenPNW]

Yeah! How does that happen?!

[@niio111]

I thought the 25% import duty was aimed at chinese products. Since Yanmar is Japanese, were you able to exclude the cost of the engine from duty?

[@einarmikkelsenPNW]

The 25% is for the Chinese market, but they can't take the price of the Japanese engine out of the total. That would have been nice.

[@DigitalYojimbo]

how do you get parts for a machine like that ?

[@einarmikkelsenPNW]

Most of them can be purchased locally. There are no custom parts that can't be obtained at the local farm supply store or auto supply store.

[@jonathan993]

26k you can get a nice used bobcat for that wow

[@einarmikkelsenPNW]

...or 26 weeks of rental. So many ways to go.

[@Landscxpe]

25% tax? You went through more “work” purchasing the thing then the machine will ever see

[@einarmikkelsenPNW]

😄

[@torkelsenhus]

Turned out to be quite expensive. Could have bought a name brand for that price, not brand new, but almost new. At least here in Norway.

[@einarmikkelsenPNW]

Det viste jeg ikke. Alt er jo så dyrt i Norge.

[@justreelinandpeoplin.645]

Divide all Chinese costs by 9 this is the exchange rate or $1.00 is equal to 9.00 for theirs.

[@einarmikkelsenPNW]

Thanks

[@andiharper4498]

Was your shipping CIF or FOB? ... Thanks

[@einarmikkelsenPNW]

Cif

[@tehpanda64]

I think a similar size kubota is also about 26 grand.... I guess attachments are extra tho

[@einarmikkelsenPNW]

Yeah

[@martinsaunders2942]

I think that a lot of the import charges are USA specific..the USA does put heavy tariffs on some Chinese imports to protect their domestic market…but a lot of the smaller charges shown by the import agent were simply scamming. If you were a commercial groundwork’s contractor, where your machines are use all day, every day, by operators who don’t own the equipment..and don’t give a stuff..then buy a proprietary brand. If however you are a private buyer who wants a machine for your own use on your own property, going Chinese makes a lot of sense.. in Europe, a proprietary brand 2 ton excavator will cost a minimum of €30k….A Chinese 2 ton machine will cost less than half that ..imported. Also, the accessories, additional buckets, augers etc are a fraction of the price..So for non commercial, private use..the are fine..

[@einarmikkelsenPNW]

Thank you for your insight. Yes. Lots of us nonsense fees and taxes.

[@markjarvis9780]

Blimey! In the UK you could buy a real brand excavator brand new for that or less!

[@einarmikkelsenPNW]

Nice!

[@ChuckBeefOG]

Hitachi, Cat, John Deere or Komatsu. All others are substandard in the equipment world.

[@frontagulus]

In the smaller sizes, I'd always buy a Yanmar before any of those you listed. Highest quality, highest spec of any 8 tons and under, and for the middle two, you're buying the name as well which doesn't earn any $

[@einarmikkelsenPNW]

Ok

[@ChuckBeefOG]

@@frontagulus yeah what would I know I only own 10 pieces of equipment from 12 ton exs to 824 loaders.

[@slikevents]

I'm reading the comments thinking that this experience paid for itself. Excavator with shipping 26g's. KZbin views and comments 50g's. Good job!

[@einarmikkelsenPNW]

Thanks :) I wish it was like that. You need 1,000 subscribers to get paid. That happened less than 1 month ago. My first check for $100 might come at the end of this month, so not quite $50k yet. Give me time. LOL

[@snicks50]

OUCH you could have got a good used on in the states for that price

[@einarmikkelsenPNW]

True. Nice to have a brand new one, but the import tax of 25% was a killer.

[@DW-op7ly]

Yes where you get hit is trying to get your stuff through US customs

[@chrs1212]

​@@einarmikkelsenPNWThank you for posting this great informative video! I am considering one from RIPPA. The total is about $13,500. Is the 25% import tax applied to all imports from China to the US?

[@user-me4dl3qe2i]

@@chrs1212 YES

[@gumelini1]

When did buying a used machine for the price of brand new start making sense?

[@maidenlord6663]

You could have got a really good used Kubota for that much money here in America just drove and picked it up😂😂😂

[@einarmikkelsenPNW]

Solid point 😁

[@bekabeka71]

$17k but $26k in total for a Chinese mini digger? Are you out of your mind? You could’ve bought a Japanese slightly used mini digger where parts are readily available

[@einarmikkelsenPNW]

Send me a link. I don't have anything like it available here.

[@jrm163]

But the parts are super expensive! Time to change the market!

[@MK-vc7uf]

What was the total cost from start to end?

[@einarmikkelsenPNW]

It is spelled out, in an excel spreadsheet at the end of the ordering video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oJfEqXmXm7Rrq8U

[@kevincaruthers5412]

Wow. So much more than the cost of the machine. Yep. Think I'll rent. Thanks for giving us the low down on hidden costs.

[@einarmikkelsenPNW]

You got it. I need mine on a regular basis, so rental won't be a good fit for me.

[@iupetre]

Does it need to be EPA certified?

[@einarmikkelsenPNW]

Yes, if you want it to be imported into the US, with an internal combustion engine

[@Ed-G]

Am I reading the invoice correctly? Over $25,000 for a machine listed at $13,000😮! With all that hassle, I need to rethink the electric motorcycles. Thank you for the very informative description of the process.

[@einarmikkelsenPNW]

That is correct. It started low, but I added a lot above the basic unit. As I live in the US, I needed an EPA certified engine. This is not true for everyone. I also added an auger motor and auger, a thumb, an enclosed cab and side swing. But, yes, those fees sucked!

[@fordaiffa6022]

how did you get into contact with them, the communication etc ....?

[@einarmikkelsenPNW]

Alibaba

[@bored2death4404]

Could have literally got a nice used one for that price here in the US, and it would have been more reliable and better availability for parts

[@einarmikkelsenPNW]

I was unable to locate a new one for that price.

[@bored2death4404]

@@einarmikkelsenPNW I said *Used

[@einarmikkelsenPNW]

@@bored2death4404 Got it. That is not what I wanted.

[@Kborodo740]

26k for little chines digger bit over price after all, but good education video, now is about how long this thing will last :D

[@einarmikkelsenPNW]

It looked good at $17k. Let's see how long it lasts.

[@billwatcher9321]

You could have bought a used excavator at Valley Equipment in Algona for less and they deliver!!

[@einarmikkelsenPNW]

I love the new excavator smell

[@Married2Jamaica]

the main issue with these units is the instability of the movement of the machine especially If you are working on slopes, they are easy to topple over because the belt and wheel span is too short. It is manageable for flat surface work but this is a serious design flaw, and if you even pay close attention to this video you will see the unit rock which the operator clearly picks up on and then drops the lower push shovel to stabilize the unit. Just consider hat if the demonstration is on a flat and solid surface and rocks back and fourth to that degree then how much worse will it be on any incline?? Caution is all I can say when considering to buy this but they do work well in terms of durability especially if you get a kobota engine. All in all the movement issue was a deal breaker for me

[@einarmikkelsenPNW]

Topple over like this? kzbin.info/www/bejne/h5ybZ4luiNapibMsi=AgFoHVYMQ2I51emF Mine came with an EPA certified Yanmar engine.

[@oersson]

Hence some buyers are getting the units that have hydraulic track width extenders. I've seen those on quite a few models.

[@einarmikkelsenPNW]

I am primarily using it on flat ground. You are right, they are too heavy and a full cab didn't help.

[@einarmikkelsenPNW]

You are correct

Wow...i guess i will never make that mistake 😢

[@einarmikkelsenPNW]

These are all minor issues. Love the machine

[@brandoncrimmins6296]

Holy BALLS!!! You could have and SHOULD have bought a used Cat for that price! 🤦🏻

[@einarmikkelsenPNW]

True, but I like new and shiny so that I can know what abuse it has gone through. So far, mine has spent 1h 20m on its side... kzbin.info/www/bejne/h5ybZ4luiNapibM

[@stoneyislandranch9783]

can you recommend a seller that wont scam me.. or advice on how to not get scammed

[@einarmikkelsenPNW]

I looked for someone who had been in business for a while.

[@Nico-rw1uo]

Hello, Congratulations 🎊 👏 for your new purchase. Well, despite the increased of custom tax of 25% of the whole prices, due to Mr Thump coldness 🥶 with China, or to discourage us citizen to import from China,. Would say to you if you allow to me it's a good investment with a 11 pieces of attachments. Thank for your straightforward with displaying your invoices. Well nice video and you will be using this machine for many years to come. Next time if ever you would purchase with China again, Contact the company directly. Thanks 😊

[@einarmikkelsenPNW]

That is good advice. I just wanted the guarantee and payment protection that comes with Alibaba, since I had never done business with them before. If I was to order again, I would go direct.

[@jessihawkins9116]

that thing tiny it cost almost $20,000?

[@einarmikkelsenPNW]

Over

[@Lord_Volkner]

$26,500? Wow. You could have just bought a Kubota or John Deere

[@einarmikkelsenPNW]

With all the upgrades, yes. Import taxes suck!

[@stevephipps9305]

Way too much BS to go through for me.

[@einarmikkelsenPNW]

...and that is why I made the video. It isn't for everyone.

[@aaronbugaiski2487]

The people who put up with this kinda ‘BS’ are millionaires

[@juanpercenter7914]

After hearing all the crap you went through to get this thing and then you say the process was pretty straight forward, I pissed myself laughing lol.

[@einarmikkelsenPNW]

You are not the first. It is all about expectations

[@jeelsvealnerve1163]

Ah, America.... the land of free market capitalism! Unless you want to import something, of course. Thanks for the video Einar. It is very informative and helps those of us in the market for one of these mini hoes to accurately compare pricing. I hope it works out great for you. It's just very disappointing how badly everyone involved in the shipping and registering treated you. Wow. Good luck with your project and I hope you enjoy the machine!

[@einarmikkelsenPNW]

Thanks! I appreciate it. Yeah, a lot of fees. It has been great so far. I have about 15 hours on it by now, lifting heavy logs. I do have a small leak on top of the hydraulic tank, but I think it is as easy as unscrewing 8 bolts and replacing/fixing the gasket. No big deal.

[@Miniscapes515]

No way! I'll buy a used kunota for same price and have parts and dealer support

[@einarmikkelsenPNW]

Ok. Thanks.

[@tacomafan7488]

sounds lil pricy!!!!!!!!!!!! K&R equipment in Oklahoma sells KYMRON brand with diesel engines gor under 20 k ! very good quality exes !!!

[@einarmikkelsenPNW]

That sounds excellent, but I can't find anything like that here in Washington state.

[@davidledford3522]

Shouldve bought five sold four and got one for free

[@einarmikkelsenPNW]

Next time!

[@glenjamindle]

$26k could have got you a larger, local, name brand used machine

[@einarmikkelsenPNW]

I just wanted a new one 😀

[@GabrielHodge]

Think you overpayed for it id love to get me one some day

[@einarmikkelsenPNW]

If you haven't ordered yet, watch my last video about 150 hours of operations update. It includes things I wish I had asked for.

[@privateprivate5928]

I apologize for a comment i made about price. My 3.5 ton machine turned out to be 2.5 ton. A lot of lying about weight . Chinese mavhinez in this weight class have small blades and undercarriages which can cause big problems. Its surprising how these reviews turn out to be misleading. Big engine dont matter if other components wont keep up.

[@einarmikkelsenPNW]

What a bummer!

[@spineguy1553]

What is the cost of a US based equivalent to this unit? He paid $26k what does one cost sourced locally?

[@einarmikkelsenPNW]

About an additional $15k before taxes.

[@spineguy1553]

@@einarmikkelsenPNW $15k for a US based unit seems to me an obvious choice to go with a new one state side. Idk.

[@einarmikkelsenPNW]

I would probably have done that if I ran a business with it. I am just messing around on my property.@@spineguy1553

[@charlesbrown4483]

26 grand for a mini excavator from China, or, pay like 10-12 grand for a decent condition, used piece of full sized equipment and put another 3-5 grand in it to make it run great. Would be nearly 10k less than the total cost to get this thing and it’s a full sized piece of equipment instead of this pebble picker lol

[@einarmikkelsenPNW]

Lots of options out there. I wanted to show everyone the actual, final cost vs the listed. Wouldn't you also consider a brand new one for $14k?

[@charlesbrown4483]

@@einarmikkelsenPNW There's nothing I won't consider. But it just doesn't make sense to me, why spend more on a much smaller machine just because it's new? To each their own, but I wouldn't do it.

[@frontagulus]

@@charlesbrown4483 The machine size depends on the work it needs to do and also the customer's resources for moving it. Remember that a 5 ton or less machine can be legally moved on a 14k trailer behind an SRW 1 ton pickup. A ten ton cannot, so even if it cost less, if the customer needs to move it regularly, it has to be sized within his resources. So, I can understand why it wouldn't make sense to you if you haven't taken those sorts of factors into account. By the same token, there absolutely can be a logic to buying a used machine vs. new, a larger vs. smaller, this brand vs. that brand, etc.

[@charlesbrown4483]

@@frontagulus Well yeah. But this guy isn’t a professional operator so I’m going off the basis that he’s not going to be moving it often. And even if he does occasionally want to use it to do some work for other people, if they’re needing work done that badly they can use their own truck or pay for the transportation themselves. Not always like that but often times it is. And I didn’t say there wasn’t logic behind buying used vs new. In reference to this situation I said it’s more logical to buy something that’s bigger but used.

[@In.experto.simracing]

Hey boss! how you doing? i want to import to USA from China. Custom broker made the papers or you need to fill with chinese people?

[@einarmikkelsenPNW]

I filled in most of them after sending emails with request for information from China

[@benchoflemons398]

That’s what protectionism gets you, high tax on the people and a worse economy

[@einarmikkelsenPNW]

Please let me know if you have any questions.

[@otterpossum9128]

People seem to not understand bank wires. Seems like charges and holdups were caused by using card. Wires are easy and fast so best to learn about them.

[@einarmikkelsenPNW]

Card charges were less than 0.1%

[@MichaelRobinson-lt6ee]

My experience was I placed a order paid for items that never arrived and didn't receive Alibaba isn't so easy to deal with when it comes to refunding or getting ahold of someone they will honestly dismiss you as the have with me and others I know

[@einarmikkelsenPNW]

What a bummer! I have had nothing but good luck so far.

[@user-vk4hz9eg1x]

Thanks for posting your experience. I'm in Bothell, can I call you, or meet you I have some questions.

[@einarmikkelsenPNW]

Sounds good.