Import guide · July 2026
Mixed containers explained: 3–10 bikes per model
Why the factory said no
A motorcycle factory’s economics are built around production runs: one model, one color batch, one export declaration. That is why the export department quotes a minimum of 20–30 units of a single model — below that, opening a production slot and doing paperwork costs them more than the order earns. It is not personal; it is arithmetic.
But a typical dealer’s shelf looks different: a few adventure bikes to anchor the showroom, a few street models, some commuters that pay the rent, and spare parts. The order the dealer needs is exactly the order the factory rejects.
How consolidation closes the gap
A consolidator sitting in the production city buys or collects from several factories and sales companies, gathers everything at one loading point, and exports it as a single shipment: one commercial invoice, one packing list, one bill of lading. In Chongqing — China’s largest motorcycle production base — the factories behind most 400cc+ Chinese bikes are within an hour of each other, which is what makes same-week collection practical.
What actually fits
| Container | Usable volume | Typical mixed load |
|---|---|---|
| 20GP | ≈26 m³ | 10–13 full-size bikes, or 8 bikes + parts & gear |
| 40HQ | ≈65 m³ | 28–34 full-size bikes; more with SKD commuters; 1 UTV ≈ 4–5 bikes of space |
Crate sizes vary by model — the practical way to plan is our container estimator, which uses typical crate volumes per segment and flags when your wishlist outgrows the box.
Protecting yourself on quality
- PDI per VIN, on video: every unit started, run through gears, brakes and electrics checked — filmed before crating. If a supplier resists this, walk away.
- Layer-by-layer loading photos: so any transit damage claim is provable.
- Staged payment: deposit on order, balance against the PDI videos and loading report — or trade-assurance escrow on first orders.
- Parts with the bikes: a matched spare-parts kit means a warranty issue at destination is a same-day fix, not a three-week wait.
When mixed containers stop making sense
Honest answer: once you sell 30+ units of the same model per quarter, go direct to the factory — that is what they are built for, and a good consolidator will tell you so. Mixed containers are the on-ramp: test segments with 3–10 units each, find what your market actually buys, then scale the winners.