Introduction
When you buy a used CAT excavator from China, the machine itself is only half the transaction. The other half is the paperwork: the bill of lading, the certificate of origin, the commercial invoice, the packing list, and the customs declaration. These documents determine whether your excavator clears port smoothly or sits in a bonded warehouse while you pay demurrage. At Anhui Gangya Construction Machinery Co., Ltd., operating as CAT Excavator Export, we handle this documentation for every unit we ship. This article walks through a real buyer scenario — a contractor in Nigeria purchasing a mini excavator — to show how each document fits together.
Requirement
Our buyer is a mid-sized civil contractor based in Lagos, Nigeria. He needs a compact excavator for utility trenching, foundation work, and tight-access jobs around the city. After reviewing our online inventory, he settles on a 2025 Caterpillar 307.5 mini excavator under 10 t class. The machine has a 500 hour meter reading, an as inspected condition rating, and a specific FOB price of 26,000 USD. He also considers a 2022 Caterpillar 305.5 / 305.5E2 at 16,000 USD FOB, but the newer 307.5 with lower hours better matches his five-year project pipeline. He asks a simple question: what documents will I receive, and what do I need to prepare on my end? That question drives the rest of this journey.
Sourcing
Because this is a single-unit purchase, not a container load, the documentation set is specific to one machine. We begin with the commercial invoice. It states the buyer and seller, the machine model (CAT 307.5), the year (2025), the hours (500), the FOB price (26,000 USD), and the HS code 8429.52. That HS code matters: it tells Nigerian customs the machine is a self-propelled excavator, which carries a 5% duty in this destination. The invoice is not a marketing document. It is the legal description of what is being sold, and every other document — bill of lading, certificate of origin, packing list — must match it exactly. A single mismatch, such as a different model year on the bill of lading, can trigger a customs inspection.
Sample
In export documentation, the closest thing to a sample is the draft set. Before the machine leaves our yard, we send the buyer scanned copies of the commercial invoice, packing list, and draft bill of lading. He reviews them against the inspection report we provided — the same report that includes the start-up video and photos of the actual unit. This step catches errors early. For example, if the bill of lading shows "CAT 307.5" but the invoice says "Caterpillar 307.5," we correct it before the carrier issues the original. We also confirm the consignee name, address, and tax identification number match the buyer's import license. Getting this right at the draft stage saves weeks later. For the 305.5 / 305.5E2 at 16,000 USD, the same process applies, just with different values on the invoice.
Production
Once the buyer approves the draft documents, we move to production of the final set. This is not manufacturing; it is the assembly of the correct paperwork. The key documents are:
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Bill of Lading (B/L): The carrier's receipt for the machine and the contract of carriage. It names the shipper (Anhui Gangya Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.), the consignee, the port of loading, and the port of discharge. For a mini excavator like the 307.5, the B/L will show the machine as a single unit, often loaded into a 40-foot flat rack or a container, depending on dimensions. The B/L is also a document of title: the buyer needs the original or a telex release to claim the machine at Lagos port.
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Certificate of Origin: Issued by a Chinese chamber of commerce or customs authority, this proves the excavator originated in China. It matters for duty calculations and for any preferential trade agreements. Nigeria does not have a free trade agreement with China for this HS code, so the certificate mainly satisfies customs formalities.
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Commercial Invoice and Packing List: The invoice shows the FOB price of 26,000 USD. The packing list describes the machine's dimensions, weight, and any loose parts shipped with it.
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Customs Declaration: China's export declaration, filed electronically. It references the HS code 8429.52 and the export license if required.
For the 2011 Caterpillar 320DIMPORT, a 20–30 t class machine with 8,000 hours and a Grade B rating, the documentation set is identical, but the FOB price is 15,000 USD and the HS code remains 8429.52. The heavier machine may require a different stowage plan, which affects the B/L description.
Delivery
Delivery has two halves: getting the machine to the port and getting the documents to the buyer. We truck the excavator from our yard to the port of loading, typically Shanghai or Qingdao. The carrier issues the bill of lading after the machine is loaded on board. We then courier the original documents — B/L, certificate of origin, commercial invoice, packing list — to the buyer, or arrange a telex release if the buyer prefers electronic delivery. The buyer uses these documents to clear customs in Lagos. Because the HS code 8429.52 carries a 5% duty in Nigeria, the buyer's customs broker calculates the payable amount based on the FOB price plus freight and insurance. Any delay in receiving the original B/L means the machine sits at port, incurring storage fees. That is why we send scanned copies first and originals by express courier.
Outcome
The buyer receives the CAT 307.5, clears customs using the documents provided, and puts the machine to work on a utility project. The documentation set did its job: it described the machine accurately, proved its origin, and transferred title. For the buyer, the lesson is that export documentation is not a formality. It is the mechanism that moves a 26,000 USD asset across borders. Whether you purchase a 2025 CAT 307.5 at 26,000 USD FOB, a 2022 CAT 305.5 / 305.5E2 at 16,000 USD FOB, or a 2011 CAT 320DIMPORT at 15,000 USD FOB, the same document chain applies. As an independent exporter, Anhui Gangya Construction Machinery Co., Ltd. prepares these documents for every unit. We are not affiliated with Caterpillar; we are a used equipment exporter that sources, inspects, and ships machines. If you are planning a purchase, ask for the draft documents early and review them against the machine details. That single habit prevents most customs delays.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most important document? The bill of lading, because it is both a receipt and a document of title. Without it, you cannot claim the machine.
Can I use a freight forwarder? Yes. Many buyers use a forwarder to handle the B/L and customs clearance. We work with the forwarder to ensure the documents match.
What if the HS code is wrong? The HS code 8429.52 is standard for excavators. If it is wrong, customs may reclassify the machine, which can change the duty rate. Always verify with your customs broker.
Do you provide a certificate of origin? Yes, for every export shipment. It is issued by the relevant Chinese authority.
How long does document preparation take? Typically 3–5 business days after the machine is loaded. The bill of lading is issued by the carrier, usually within 48 hours of sailing.
Conclusion
Export documentation is a chain: invoice, packing list, certificate of origin, customs declaration, and bill of lading. Each link must match the others and the machine. For a used CAT excavator purchase from China, the documents are as important as the machine itself. At CAT Excavator Export, we prepare this chain for every unit, whether it is a mini 307.5 or a larger 320DIMPORT. If you are sourcing from Nigeria, Kenya, or anywhere else, start with the documents. They will tell you exactly what you are buying and how it will reach you.