Sourcing Commercial Kitchen Equipment from China in 2026
Sourcing commercial kitchen equipment from China in 2026 is straightforward when you understand Incoterms, lead times and certification: agree FOB/CIF/DDP terms, confirm CE compliance, plan 15–25 days production plus sea transit, and use a customs broker for clearance.
Get the Incoterms right
FOB Shenzhen means you take over at the port of loading; CIF means the seller covers freight and insurance to your port; DDP means delivered duty paid to your door. Pick the term that matches how much logistics you want to manage.
Certifications and documents
Confirm CE compliance and ask for the commercial invoice, packing list and certificates your broker needs. Missing paperwork, not the machine, is what usually stalls clearance.
Lead time and payment
Plan 15–25 working days of production plus 2–6 weeks transit. Standard terms are a deposit with balance before shipment; confirm the schedule on the order.
- Choose FOB, CIF or DDP deliberately.
- CE compliance plus clean documents = smooth clearance.
- Budget 15–25 days production plus transit.