Exporting used heavy equipment from US auctions to Africa

The United States is one of the world's best sources of quality used construction and heavy equipment, and African buyers know it. But winning the machine at auction is only half the job — getting it home safely and cost-effectively is where a specialist earns their keep. This guide explains how exporting heavy equipment from US auctions to Africa actually works.

Buying at US auctions

Most used equipment heading to Africa is bought at the big US machinery auctions:

• Ritchie Bros. — the largest industrial auctioneer, with huge yards across the US
• IronPlanet — online equipment auctions
• Purple Wave — online auctions of machinery, trucks and farm equipment

Once you have won a machine, the clock starts: auction yards charge storage, so prompt collection matters. Cassandra Logistics can collect directly from the auction site, bring the equipment to our warehouse, and begin the export process without delay.

How heavy equipment is shipped

The right shipping method depends entirely on the size and shape of the machine:

• Containerized: smaller machines, attachments, and parts that fit inside a 40ft container. This is usually the most economical and secure option when it fits.
• Flat-rack: for excavators, loaders, dozers and other machines that are too tall or wide for a standard container. The machine is secured to an open flat-rack platform.
• Heavy haulage & breakbulk: for the largest equipment, moved and shipped as oversized cargo.

Compare exact container and flat-rack dimensions on our Shipping Tools page, and use the CBM calculator to estimate volume.

Dismantling, draining & securing

Heavy equipment needs proper preparation before export. That can include draining fluids to meet shipping rules, disconnecting batteries, securing loose parts, and bracing the machine so it cannot shift in transit. Done wrong, this risks damage and delays; done right, it protects both the machine and everyone handling it. This is exactly the kind of hands-on work a specialist handles as a matter of routine.

African destination ports

We ship to ports across the continent. The most common destinations for our clients include:

• Nigeria — Lagos, Tin Can Island
• Ghana — Tema
• Cameroon — Douala
• Togo — Lomé
• Kenya — Mombasa
• Tanzania — Dar es Salaam
• Morocco — Casablanca

You can look up seaports in any country with our seaport lookup tool.

The paperwork

Exporting equipment involves the US export filing (AES/EEI), which we handle for you, along with the commercial documents your destination requires. Accurate machine details — make, model, serial number, weight and dimensions — keep the process smooth and the filing correct.

A note on cost

Cost depends on the machine's size and weight, the shipping method, the origin auction location, and the destination port. Because every machine is different, the honest approach is a real quote rather than a guess. As a direct, licensed NVOCC, we keep the chain short and the pricing transparent.

When you are ready, our online shipping form walks you through the details and produces your signed instructions as a PDF.