Buying & importing
Buying and importing a CNC router, without the surprises
Buying a CNC router well means vetting the supplier, getting the full landed cost including freight and duty, and confirming warranty and support before you pay. Many capable machines are made overseas, so the real skill is buying safely, with clear terms, lead times and a support plan, not just chasing the lowest price.
This is our wedge: the straight talk on buying and importing that sellers tend to avoid.
Sourcing and importing
Get a supplier’s specification in writing before you pay anything: bed size, spindle power and type, controller, included tooling, and whether the price is ex-works or already lands with freight and duty included. Sea freight typically runs 10 to 15 percent of the machine’s price, and duty on imported machinery, especially Chinese-origin routers, is layered and can add a meaningful percentage on top. Ask for a delivery schedule with real milestones, not a vague estimate, and confirm who handles customs clearance on your end.
Support, warranty and used machines
New machines bring a known condition and a warranty; used machines can be a genuine bargain but only after checking spindle bearing wear, ballscrew backlash, rail condition and whether the controller and software are still supported, since an unsupported controller can make an otherwise sound machine a bad deal. See real listings and pricing across the market in our buying guide to CNC machines for sale, or get cost context including freight and duty in our cost guides.
In this section
- CNC Machines for Sale: What Every Buyer Should Know CNC machines for sale range from hobby desktop routers to industrial machining centres. A clear-eyed guide to types, costs, sourcing and what to check.
- Used vs New CNC Router: What to Check Before You Buy A used CNC router can be a genuine bargain, but only after real inspection. Here is what to check before you pay, and when new wins instead.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
- Is it safe to buy a CNC router from China?
- It can be, with care. Vet the supplier, confirm specifications in writing, agree clear payment terms and ask about parts and support. Many Western brands are built overseas anyway. The risk is buying blind, so the work is in vetting and clear terms.
- Should I buy a used or a new CNC router?
- Used can save money if the machine is sound and supported, but you inherit wear and may lack warranty. New costs more but brings support and known condition. Judge by hours, maintenance history and whether parts are still available.