Buying a Packaging Machine from China: 10 Checks Before You Pay
Most problems buyers report with packing machines from China come from four gaps: the machine was never tested with their product, the electrical setup did not match their factory, spare parts were not ordered with the machine, and nobody answered after delivery. Ten checks before you pay close those gaps.
What goes wrong — and why?
Typical complaints are seals that leak on the buyer's own film, weights that drift on their powder, a wrong plug or voltage, and long waits for a replacement heater or belt. None of these are about where the machine was built; they are about what was agreed and tested before shipment.
The 10 checks
- 1. Send your product and film; ask for a test video with your material
- 2. Agree speed and weight tolerance in writing, measured on your product
- 3. Confirm voltage, phase, frequency and plug type
- 4. Ask for a layout drawing with dimensions and ceiling height
- 5. Get an item list: what is included (elevator, platform, conveyor) and what is not
- 6. Order a wear-parts kit (seal jaws, heaters, knives, belts) with the machine
- 7. Ask for the manual and electrical drawings in English before shipment
- 8. Run a factory acceptance test — in person or by live video
- 9. Check the company: business licence, audit reports, years on B2B platforms
- 10. Agree warranty terms and how remote support works (video call, WhatsApp, response time)
How do I check a Chinese supplier is real?
Look for third-party evidence rather than claims on the supplier's own website: an on-site audit report you can verify (ours is TÜV Rheinland report MIC-ASI2211430 on Made-in-China.com), years of trading history on B2B platforms, and a factory address you can visit or see on a live video tour.
Our audit and certifications →
Which payment terms are normal?
T/T with a deposit and the balance after you approve the test or FAT, or L/C for larger orders. Pay the balance only after you have seen the machine run with your product.
Frequently asked questions
How long does shipping take?
Standard machines are produced in about 10 days (in-stock models from 7 days); sea freight time depends on your port. We quote FOB or CIF from Guangzhou.
What if a part breaks after delivery?
Wear parts in the kit cover routine replacements. For other parts we diagnose by video call and ship the part; ask for the support terms in your quotation.