Agri machinery can ship fully assembled, semi-knocked down (SKD) or completely knocked down (CKD). The right choice depends on machine size, container fill, your local assembly skills and your country's import rules.
Small machines such as sprayers and chaff cutters usually ship assembled. Rotavators, threshers and seed drills often ship SKD, with bulky parts removed to pack more units per container.
What each option means
- Fully assembled machines are ready to use after unpacking, but they take the most space and are the hardest to protect.
- SKD machines arrive as a few major sub-assemblies, such as a frame, a rotor and a gearbox, which your team bolts together.
- CKD kits arrive as individual parts and fasteners, and your team assembles, and sometimes paints, every machine.
Why buyers choose SKD or CKD
Container fill is the main reason. Removing wheels, shields, hoppers or drums lets the maker nest parts and load far more units. For bulky machines this often has the biggest effect on landed cost.
Some countries apply lower import duty to kits or parts than to finished machines, or offer incentives for local assembly. Rules differ widely and change over time, so check the tariff treatment with your customs broker before you decide.
Local assembly also lets you add local parts, such as tyres or paint, and fix transit damage before sale.
Some buyers start with assembled machines and move to SKD once dealers know the product. That way the first units reach the field quickly, and your team learns the machine before it assembles one from parts.
The risks of kits
Kits move work and risk to your side. Missing bolts, mismatched parts and poor fit can stop an assembly line. A machine assembled wrongly can fail in the field, and the warranty discussion with the maker gets harder.
Ask for a full packing list per kit, with part numbers that match the assembly manual. An exploded drawing and torque settings for each bolted joint help your team work quickly. Have the maker assemble a sample from a production kit, then strip it down and pack it as normal.
Inspect kits before loading by counting parts against the list for a sample of kits. Check that machined faces and threads are protected from rust, as covered in how to prevent rust during sea freight.
Packing and documents
Whatever the option, ask for packing that suits your port handling. Wooden crates and pallets must meet ISPM-15 rules, explained in export packing for machines. Make sure the invoice and packing list describe the goods consistently, so customs classifies them correctly.
Next step
We agree the shipping format with the maker, check kits against packing lists and supervise loading. To plan your format, book a free sourcing review.