When Nhua Long Thanh Company imported a brand-new WINTEC plastic injection molding machine from China, they faced a problem familiar to every factory investing in heavy production equipment: the machine weighed 125 tons in total, the heaviest single package weighed 55 tons, and the cargo was worth roughly VND 13.5 billion.
A standard trucking company cannot move a shipment like this. It requires customs expertise, a special transport permit, low-bed trailers matched to the axle loads, crane coordination at both ends, and someone on the ground watching every lift.
Here is how our team handled it — and what any importer of heavy machinery in Vietnam can learn from the project.
Table of Contents
I. Shipment Overview
| Detail | Specification |
|---|---|
| Commodity | WINTEC plastic injection molding machine (brand new) |
| HS Code | 8477.10.39 |
| Origin | China — C/O Form E |
| Packages | 5 |
| Total weight | 125 tons |
| Heaviest package | 55 tons |
| Cargo value | ~VND 13.5 billion (~USD 530,000) |
| Route | Hiep Phuoc Port → Nhua Long Thanh factory warehouse |
| Scope of work | Customs clearance, special transport permit, heavy-lift supervision, inland transportation, escort, unloading |
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- AlphaTrans team supervising the transport of a 125-ton WINTEC injection molding machine at Hiep Phuoc Port, Vietnam
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- AlphaTrans team supervising the transport of a 125-ton WINTEC injection molding machine at Hiep Phuoc Port, Vietnam
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- AlphaTrans team supervising the transport of a 125-ton WINTEC injection molding machine at Hiep Phuoc Port, Vietnam
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- AlphaTrans team supervising the transport of a 125-ton WINTEC injection molding machine at Hiep Phuoc Port, Vietnam
II. The Real Challenge: Controlling Risk Before the Cargo Moves
With heavy machinery, the most expensive mistakes happen before the wheels turn.
A misclassified HS Code delays clearance and can trigger unexpected duty. An incorrect permit application keeps a 55-ton package stuck at the port, generating storage and demurrage charges by the day. A trailer that doesn’t match the load, or a lifting plan with the wrong center of gravity, puts a half-million-dollar machine — and the customer’s entire production timeline — at risk.
So our work started weeks before the vessel arrived, across three fronts:
2.1 Customs and documentation
Our customs team verified the HS Code (8477.10.39), reviewed the C/O Form E to confirm preferential tariff treatment under the ACFTA agreement, checked the import policy for the commodity, and prepared the declaration in advance so clearance would not hold up the transport schedule.
2.2 Special transport permit
In Vietnam, any vehicle-and-cargo combination that exceeds standard road weight or dimension limits requires a special transport permit from the road authority, with an approved route. We surveyed the route from Hiep Phuoc Port to the factory, prepared the permit application, and secured approval before the cargo landed.
2.3 Equipment and lifting plan
We matched each of the five packages to the right tractor and low-bed trailer combination, confirmed a 60-ton crane for both the port lift and the factory unloading, and defined securing points and load distribution for the heaviest 55-ton unit.
III. Execution: From Port to Factory Floor
At Hiep Phuoc Port, our supervisors were on-site for the entire lifting operation. Each package was lifted by the 60-ton crane, positioned on its trailer, lashed and secured, then inspected against the plan before the convoy was cleared to leave the terminal.
On the road, the convoy followed the permit-approved route with an escort vehicle and our supervision team accompanying the cargo end to end.
At the Nhua Long Thanh warehouse, unloading was carried out under the same supervision standard, again using a 60-ton crane, until every package was safely positioned at the customer’s site.
IV. The Result
All five packages — 125 tons of precision machinery — were delivered safely, on schedule, and without incident. The customer’s installation timeline stayed intact, and no damage, delay penalty, or unplanned cost occurred at any stage.
For heavy machinery logistics, that is the only definition of success that matters: not just delivered, but delivered with every operational risk controlled from port to factory floor.
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- 60-ton crane lifting heavy machinery under AlphaTrans supervision at Hiep Phuoc Port
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- 60-ton crane lifting heavy machinery under AlphaTrans supervision at Hiep Phuoc Port
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- 60-ton crane lifting heavy machinery under AlphaTrans supervision at Hiep Phuoc Port
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- 60-ton crane lifting heavy machinery under AlphaTrans supervision at Hiep Phuoc Port
V. What Importers of Heavy Machinery Should Check Before Shipping
If your factory is planning to import heavy production equipment into Vietnam, don’t start by asking for a trucking price. Start with these questions:
- Is the HS Code verified? Classification determines duty, VAT, and import policy requirements.
- Is the C/O correct? A valid C/O Form E (China) can significantly reduce import duty under ACFTA — but only if issued and presented correctly.
- Does the shipment need a special transport permit? If any package or vehicle combination exceeds normal road limits, the permit and route survey must be arranged before arrival.
- Is there a lifting and securing plan? Weight, center of gravity, lifting points, and trailer type must be confirmed for each package, not assumed.
- Who supervises on-site? Cranes and trailers are only as safe as the people coordinating them.
Getting these answers early is the difference between a controlled project and an expensive emergency.
VI. AlphaTrans Project Cargo & Heavy Machinery Logistics
AlphaTrans is a Vietnamese logistics provider and licensed customs broker with its own fleet of 65 tractor units and 200 trailers, offices in 7 cities across Vietnam, and more than 1,000 projects handled per year. We support factories, manufacturers, and FDI companies with:
- Machinery customs clearance and import consulting
- Special transport permits for oversized and overweight cargo
- Heavy-lift and project cargo transportation nationwide
- On-site lifting supervision and cargo securing
Planning a heavy machinery import? Send us your packing list and machine specifications — our project team will review the HS Code, permit requirements, and transport plan free of charge.
VII. Frequently Asked Questions
What is the HS Code for a plastic injection molding machine? Injection molding machines for plastics are generally classified under heading 84.77. In this project the code applied was 8477.10.39, but the exact code depends on the machine’s technical specifications, so classification should always be verified against the actual technical documents before import.
Does brand-new machinery still require an import policy check in Vietnam? Yes. Even brand-new machinery must be checked for HS Code accuracy, applicable duty and VAT, C/O validity, and any inspection or registration requirements. Used machinery faces additional restrictions under Decree 18/2019 rules on used equipment imports.
When is a special transport permit required in Vietnam? A permit is required whenever the loaded vehicle exceeds the standard limits for gross weight, axle load, height, width, or length on the intended route. The permit specifies the approved route and travel conditions, and must be obtained before the cargo moves.
How much does it cost to transport heavy machinery in Vietnam? Cost depends on package weight and dimensions, route distance and road conditions, crane requirements at each end, permit complexity, and escort needs. A 50+ ton single package typically involves low-bed or modular trailers plus crane hire, so a site and route survey is needed before an accurate quote can be given.
Why is on-site supervision important for heavy cargo? The highest-risk moments are the lifts and the securing. On-site supervision verifies that lifting points, load balance, lashing, and trailer positioning match the plan — catching problems while they are still cheap to fix, not after the cargo is on the road.
VIII. Contact AlphaTrans
Planning a heavy machinery or project cargo shipment to Vietnam? Talk to our project team before your cargo ships — we’ll review the HS Code, permit requirements, and transport plan at no cost.
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