How to Export Oversized Cargo? A Detailed Explanation of the Five Key Steps in International Transportation of Large-Scale Machinery from China

In the process of “Made in China” going global, the export demand for oversized cargo (such as large shield tunneling machines, giant generator sets, heavy metallurgical equipment, and extra-wide wind turbine blades) is growing increasingly. This type of cargo generally exceeds the size limits of conventional transportation (width over 3.5 meters, height over 4.5 meters, length over 20 meters) or weight limits (single unit over 50 tons). Its international transportation is by no means a linear process of “simple loading and sea freight shipment,” but a systematic project that needs to overcome multiple challenges such as “size restrictions, compliance barriers, multimodal transportation connection, and professional operation guarantees.” According to data from the China Federation of Logistics and Purchasing, the export volume of China’s oversized large-scale machinery increased by 18% year-on-year in 2023, but the abnormal transportation rate (delays, damage) still reached 12%. Most problems stem from enterprises’ insufficient grasp of key processes.

Targeting the particularities of oversized cargo, this article summarizes the “five key steps” in the international transportation of large-scale machinery from China. From pre-planning to overseas delivery, it breaks down the core tasks, risk points, and response strategies of each link, providing enterprises with a practical export guide to help oversized cargo reach global destinations safely and efficiently.

I. Key Step 1: Preliminary Assessment and Plan Formulation – “Setting Direction and Controlling Risks” for Oversized Transportation

The transportation risks of oversized cargo are “forward-looking” – insufficient preliminary assessment can easily lead to fatal problems such as “unpassable routes, inability to load equipment, and missing documents” in subsequent links. Therefore, before starting transportation, it is necessary to complete a “three-dimensional assessment” (cargo characteristics, route feasibility, transportation tool adaptability) and formulate a detailed plan.

(I) In-Depth Assessment of Cargo Characteristics: Clarifying “What Can Be Transported and How to Transport It”

1. Basic Parameter Measurement and Classification

• Accurately measure the “actual size” and “actual weight” of the cargo: including length, width, height (including protruding parts such as equipment brackets and pipelines), single-unit weight, and center of gravity position. This avoids errors in subsequent transportation tool selection due to measurement inaccuracies. For example, the initial measured width of a shield machine cutter head exported by an enterprise was 5.8 meters, excluding the edge protection device. During actual transportation, it was found that the width reached 6.2 meters, making the originally planned transportation vehicle unable to load it and causing a 3-day delay;
• Classify by oversized type:
• “Size-oversized”: Such as wind turbine blades (length 68 meters, width 3.2 meters) and large transformers (diameter 4.8 meters, height 5.2 meters);
• “Weight-oversized”: Such as 300-ton generator sets and 500-ton metallurgical rolling mills;
• “Compound-oversized”: Such as shield machines (diameter 12 meters, weight 800 tons), which exceed both size and weight limits.

2. Analysis of Cargo Vulnerability and Protection Requirements

• Identify “vulnerable parts” of the cargo: such as precision sensors, hydraulic pipelines, and glass windows, and mark the protection priority;
• Determine special transportation requirements: For example, some equipment requires “constant temperature transportation” (temperature 15-25℃), “moisture-proof transportation” (humidity ≤60%), or prohibits tilting (tilt angle ≤5°). Protection measures must be clearly defined in the plan. For instance, a large magnetic resonance imaging device transported by an enterprise failed to specify “no vibration exceeding 0.2G” in the plan, leading to magnet misalignment during transportation and repair costs exceeding 2 million yuan.

(II) Feasibility Survey of Transportation Routes: Connecting the “Domestic + International” Full Link

1. Domestic Route Survey (From Factory to Export Port)

• Entrust a professional logistics provider to conduct an “on-site survey,” focusing on confirming:
• Road clearance: The height of tunnels and culverts along the route (must be ≥ cargo height + transportation vehicle height + 0.5-meter safety margin) and width (must be ≥ cargo width + 0.3-meter safety margin). For example, the height of a culvert on a certain route is only 4.3 meters, which cannot accommodate a transformer with a height of 4.8 meters, requiring re-planning of a detour route;
• Bridge load capacity: Check the design load capacity data of bridges along the route to ensure the bridge load capacity ≥ cargo weight × 1.2 (safety factor). If necessary, entrust a third-party institution to conduct a load capacity test;
• Traffic control: Confirm the existence of “no-traffic time periods” (e.g., oversized vehicles are prohibited during the day in some cities) and “construction sections,” and apply to local traffic management departments for an “oversized transportation permit” (requiring cargo parameters, route map, and transportation time) 15-30 days in advance to avoid delays due to temporary applications.

2. International Route and Port Adaptability Assessment

• Select “special ports for oversized cargo”: Domestically, priority is given to ports with “heavy cargo terminals” such as Shanghai Port, Tianjin Port, and Guangzhou Port. These ports are equipped with quay cranes over 400 tons and extra-wide berths (width ≥30 meters), which can meet the loading and unloading needs of oversized cargo;
• Confirm international routes and destination ports:
• Route selection: Avoid “narrow waterways” (e.g., some sections of the Suez Canal are only 190 meters wide, requiring caution for large semi-submersible vessels) and “typhoon-prone areas” (e.g., the northwestern Pacific in summer). For example, oversized equipment exported to Europe can choose the direct “Shanghai Port-Hamburg Port” route to avoid transshipment;
• Destination port adaptability: Confirm whether the destination port has “heavy cargo loading and unloading equipment” (such as quay cranes and floating cranes) and “oversized cargo customs clearance channels.” For instance, if a port in Africa lacks large cranes, it is necessary to coordinate in advance to rent floating cranes; otherwise, the cargo cannot be unloaded after arriving at the port.

(III) Selection of Transportation Tools and Plans: Matching “Cargo Characteristics + Route Conditions”

1. Selection of Domestic Transportation Tools

• Road transportation (within 500 kilometers):
• Cargo of 50-100 tons and 3.5-5 meters in width: Select “low-bed semi-trailers” (deck height ≤1.2 meters, which can reduce the overall transportation height) equipped with a hydraulic steering system for easy turning on narrow roads;
• Cargo of 100-300 tons and over 5 meters in width: Select “axle line trailers” (composed of multiple axle modules; for example, a 12-axle trailer can bear up to 200 tons and disperse weight to protect the road surface), and equip with “lead vehicles” (for pathfinding ahead) and “escort vehicles” (for warning behind);
• Railway transportation (over 500 kilometers):
• Select “special flatcars,” such as “D22 type long flatcars” (load capacity 250 tons, length 30 meters) and “X4K type container flatcars” (capable of loading extra-wide frame containers). It is necessary to coordinate with China Railway Special Cargo Transportation Co., Ltd. in advance for vehicle scheduling to avoid delays due to tight vehicle supply.

2. Selection of International Transportation Tools

• Sea freight as the main method:
• Conventional oversized cargo (weight ≤200 tons, size ≤30 meters): Select “heavy-lift ships” (equipped with shipborne cranes over 800 tons, capable of lifting oversized cargo);
• Ultra-large oversized cargo (weight ≥300 tons, size ≥50 meters): Select “semi-submersible vessels” (such as COSCO Shipping’s “Xinyaohua” ship, with a load capacity of 100,000 tons, which can directly float the cargo onto the deck). For example, an 800-ton shield machine exported by an enterprise in 2023 was transported from Shanghai Port to Singapore Port via a semi-submersible vessel, with a stable and undamaged journey;
• Air freight as a special case: Only applicable to “urgent, small-tonnage oversized cargo” (such as 20-ton precision machine tools). Select wide-body cargo aircraft capable of loading oversized cargo (such as Boeing 747-8F and Airbus A380F). Domestically, departures must be from airports with heavy cargo air transportation capabilities such as Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou.

II. Key Step 2: Handling of Compliance Documents and Certifications – Breaking Through the “Export + Import” Dual Barriers

Oversized large-scale machinery mostly involves “high-tech and heavy equipment,” and its export compliance requirements are far higher than those of ordinary cargo. Missing or non-compliant documents will directly lead to “cargo detention, inability to load onto ships, and customs clearance failure at the destination port.” Document preparation must start 3-6 months in advance, covering both “domestic export” and “foreign import.”

(I) Domestic Export Compliance Documents: Ensuring “Exportability”

1. Basic Commercial and Official Documents

• Commercial Documents:
• Commercial invoice: Specify the cargo name (consistent with the customs declaration form), model, quantity, unit price, total price, and trade terms (e.g., FOB Shanghai, CIF Hamburg), and specially mark “oversized cargo” and its size/weight;
• Packing list: Detail the name, code, weight, and size of disassembled parts (if any) of the cargo, and mark labels such as “Do Not Invert” and “Fragile”;
• Official Approval Documents:
• Oversized cargo transportation permit: Apply to the transportation department, requiring submission of cargo parameters, transportation routes, and transportation tool certificates. For cross-provincial transportation, a “cross-provincial oversized transportation permit” must be obtained;
• Export license: For “dual-use items” or controlled equipment (such as large shield machines and high-end CNC machine tools), apply to the Ministry of Commerce for an “Export License,” submitting the equipment technical manual and end-user certificate;
• Commodity inspection certificate: Apply to the entry-exit inspection and quarantine institution under the General Administration of Customs for “appearance inspection and performance testing” to ensure the equipment meets export quality standards and avoid rejection by the destination country due to quality issues.

2. Technical Certification Documents

• Equipment manual: Must include both Chinese and English versions, detailing the equipment structure, installation requirements, and transportation protection measures, with attached cargo size/weight drawings;
• Special certifications: Apply for certifications according to the requirements of the export market. For example, exports to the EU require CE certification (compliant with Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC, subject to testing by EU notified bodies), exports to the US require UL certification (for electrical equipment safety), and exports to Russia require GOST certification (subject to review of technical documents by local Russian institutions).

(II) Foreign Import Compliance Documents: Ensuring “Importability”

1. Collaborating with Overseas Customers in Advance to Handle Import Permits

• Assist customers in applying to the relevant authorities of the destination country for an “oversized cargo import permit,” such as:
• Brazil: Require application for an “Import License (LI)” and submission of cargo parameters and purpose statements to the Secretariat of Foreign Trade (SECEX) of the Brazilian Ministry of Economy, with an approval cycle of approximately 20-30 days;
• Saudi Arabia: Require application for a “Certificate of Conformity (COC)” and entrust third-party institutions such as SGS and BV to conduct cargo testing and issue a qualification report before customs clearance;
• India: Require application for an “Import Bill of Entry,” marking “oversized cargo,” and apply to the Ports Trust of India in advance for a “heavy cargo unloading permit.”

2. Preparing Documents for Special Requirements of the Destination Country

• Certificate of origin: Apply for FORM E (ASEAN market), FORM F (Chile market), etc., to help customers enjoy tariff preferences;
• Weight/size certificate: Issued by a domestic third-party testing institution (such as the National Institute of Metrology, China) to prove that the actual weight/size of the cargo is consistent with the declaration, avoiding cargo detention by the destination country’s customs due to suspicion of “false declaration”;
• Insurance document: Purchase “all risks + war risk” with an insured amount of 110% of the cargo value, which must include “special clauses for oversized cargo transportation” to cover damage risks during loading, unloading, and transportation.

III. Key Step 3: Domestic Transportation and Port Connection – Safe Transfer from “Factory to Wharf”

Domestic transportation is the “first kilometer” of oversized cargo export and a high-risk link – road transportation is prone to cargo damage due to “inconsistent routes and improper loading/unloading,” while railway transportation is prone to shipment delays due to “vehicle scheduling delays and poor port connection.” Key focus should be placed on the three links of “loading/unloading operations, route execution, and port warehousing.”

(I) Professional Loading, Unloading, and Securing at the Factory

1. Customized Loading and Unloading Plan

• Select loading and unloading equipment based on the cargo weight and structure: For example, use a 200-ton truck crane for 50-100 ton cargo and a 500-ton crawler crane for 100-300 ton cargo, ensuring the rated load capacity of the crane ≥ cargo weight × 1.2 (safety factor);
• Loading and unloading operation standards:
• Use “special spreaders” (such as circular slings and special clamps) to avoid scratches caused by direct contact between steel wire ropes and the cargo surface;
• Keep the cargo level during hoisting, with a tilt angle ≤3°. For example, when an enterprise transported a large transformer, the internal coils shifted due to an 8° hoisting tilt angle, resulting in a 15-day repair period;
• Secure the cargo with “hydraulic fixing devices + anti-slip pads” after loading: Lay 30mm thick rubber anti-slip pads at the contact points between the cargo and the transportation vehicle, and use hydraulic jacks to secure from all sides, with one fixing point every 1.5 meters to prevent shaking during transportation.

(II) Full-Process Monitoring and Emergency Response for Domestic Transportation

1. Real-Time Monitoring and Route Execution

• Equip with an “oversized transportation monitoring system”: Install GPS positioning, temperature and humidity sensors, and vibration sensors on the transportation vehicle to transmit real-time cargo location and environmental parameters (such as temperature and vibration value). Customers and the logistics team can view the data via a mobile APP;
• Strictly follow the surveyed route: Arrange “escort personnel” (with oversized transportation experience) to follow the entire journey, and communicate in advance with toll stations and traffic management departments along the route to ensure priority passage and avoid delays due to traffic congestion. For example, when an enterprise transported wind turbine blades from an Inner Mongolia factory to Tianjin Port, the escort personnel coordinated in advance for 5 toll stations along the route to open “oversized cargo dedicated lanes,” shortening the entire journey by 2 hours compared to the original plan.

2. Emergency Plan Preparation

• Formulate response measures for potential problems:
• Vehicle breakdown: Contact 3-5 repair shops with oversized vehicle repair capabilities along the route in advance to ensure on-site repair within 1 hour after a breakdown;
• Weather impact: In case of heavy rain or heavy fog, immediately park the vehicle at an “oversized vehicle dedicated parking area” (such as a designated area in a highway service area) to avoid cargo moisture or accidents caused by driving in the rain;
• Temporary route closure: Plan 2-3 alternative routes in advance. If the original route is closed due to construction, switch to the alternative route immediately to ensure uninterrupted transportation.

(III) Port Warehousing and Pre-Shipment Preparation

1. Temporary Storage in Port Heavy Cargo Warehouses

• Select “port heavy cargo warehouses”: These warehouses have “extra-wide porches (width ≥10 meters), heavy-duty floors (load capacity ≥5 tons/㎡), and large loading/unloading equipment,” which can meet the storage and secondary loading/unloading needs of oversized cargo;
• Key warehousing management points:
• Zoned storage: Place the cargo at the edge of the warehouse to avoid collision with other cargo;
• Environmental control: If the cargo requires moisture protection, the warehouse must be equipped with dehumidifiers to control humidity ≤60%; if constant temperature is required, activate the constant temperature system to maintain a temperature of 18-22℃;
• Safety protection: Set up warning signs (such as “No Climbing” and “Keep Safe Distance”) around the cargo, and arrange personnel to be on duty 24 hours a day to prevent cargo damage or loss.

2. Pre-Shipment Inspection and Communication

• Confirm the “shipment plan” with the shipping company and port terminal in advance: Clarify the shipment time, the model of the crane used (such as a 400-ton quay crane), and the placement position of the cargo on the ship (avoiding areas with ship center of gravity deviation);
• Pre-shipment inspection: Check the cargo securing status and packaging integrity, and test whether the temperature and humidity sensors are functioning properly. If problems are found (