The Humanoid Marketplace · Part of The Humanoid Group

Sourcing From China

Many of the world's robots are now built in China, often at lower prices. Importing them well comes down to landed cost, the right approvals and a clear plan for support.

By Liam O'Connor · Updated October 2026

Price the landed cost, not the factory price

A factory price leaves out freight, insurance, import duties, taxes and customs clearance, which can add a large share to the total. Ask for delivered, duty-paid (DDP) terms, where the seller handles shipping and import costs to your door. DDP quotes make offers from different makers comparable and remove surprises at the border. They also show you the real total before you commit a budget.

Approvals and paperwork

Robots sold in your market must meet its rules, wherever they are made. Check safety and radio approvals for your country, lithium battery shipping documents and any restrictions on connected devices or drones from certain countries, which several governments have tightened. Ask the maker for English-language manuals, test reports and the exact model numbers each certificate covers. Keep copies with the shipment so customs checks go quickly.

Support across time zones

Plan support before the robot ships. Agree response times, remote diagnostics access and a local spares kit, and confirm who handles repairs: the maker, a regional partner or your integrator. Ask for the firmware update policy too. Language and time zones matter far less when the support plan is written down, with named contacts and escalation steps on both sides.

Sources and further reading

DAP and DDP Incoterms 2020 explained — ICC Academy, International Chamber of Commerce.
Explains what a seller takes on under DDP and why some countries require the buyer to clear imports.
Import goods into the UK: step by step — GOV.UK.
Official walk-through of commodity codes, customs declarations, duty and VAT for goods brought into the UK.
Covered List — Federal Communications Commission.
The FCC list of communications and video surveillance equipment judged a US national security risk.

Common questions

Are robots from China cheaper overall?

Often at the factory gate, but compare landed cost and support costs, not list prices. A DDP quote includes delivery and duties, so you compare like with like.

Can THG handle importing for me?

Yes. THG quotes robots from makers in China delivered and duty-paid, and its import and compliance desk checks certifications and customs paperwork.

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Sourcing From China — What to know about importing robots from Chinese makers: landed cost, approvals and support.
Running a Robot RFQ — How to write a request for quotes that gets robot makers to answer the same questions.
Landed Robot Costs — How freight, insurance, duties and taxes stack onto a robot's price, and how a landed quote is built.
Robot Certifications Explained — What CE, UL, FCC and other marks on a robot mean, and which documents to request from the maker.
Paying Robot Suppliers Safely — Deposits, letters of credit, escrow and milestone payments compared, plus the checks that stop payment fraud.
Warranties and Service Contracts — What a business robot warranty covers, how spec sheets become promises, and what to ask of service plans.
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