Ship Heavy Machinery Overseas — Construction, Industrial & Agricultural Equipment

Ocean freight moves the world’s cargo. Air freight moves it fast. When your shipment can’t wait weeks for a vessel, Go Ocean Logistics provides international air freight solutions from the U.S. to destinations worldwide — with full export customs handling, real-time tracking, and door-to-door coordination.

Whether you need standard air cargo, expedited service, or emergency same-day air, we build the right solution around your timeline and cargo requirements.

Why Heavy Machinery

Heavy machinery doesn’t ship like a car. Excavators weigh dozens of tons. Cranes require disassembly. Combine harvesters are wider than standard vessel lanes. Every piece of equipment presents its own logistics challenge — and the wrong shipper can cost you far more than freight.

Go Ocean Logistics has the carrier relationships, port experience, and equipment knowledge to handle construction machinery, industrial equipment, and agricultural machinery at any scale. Whether you’re shipping a single forklift or a complete fleet of earthmoving equipment, we build a customized solution for your specific cargo, dimensions, and destination.

We handle all U.S. Customs export documentation and coordinate destination import clearance — so your equipment arrives legally cleared and ready for deployment.

Heavy Machinery We Ship Internationally

Construction Machinery

•  Excavators & Hydraulic Shovels

•  Bulldozers & Track Dozers

•  Wheel Loaders & Track Loaders

•  Motor Graders

•  Compactors & Road Rollers

•  Cranes — tower, mobile, crawler, rough terrain

•  Concrete Mixers & Pump Trucks

•  Backhoe Loaders

•  Skid Steer Loaders (Bobcat and equivalent)

•  Trenchers & Boring Machines

•  Scaffolding Systems & Construction Towers (breakbulk)

•  Dump Trucks & Articulated Haulers

•  Asphalt Pavers & Milling Machines

•  Pile Drivers & Drilling Rigs

Industrial Machinery

•  Excavators & Hydraulic Shovels

•  Bulldozers & Track Dozers

•  Wheel Loaders & Track Loaders

•  Motor Graders

•  Compactors & Road Rollers

•  Cranes — tower, mobile, crawler, rough terrain

•  Concrete Mixers & Pump Trucks

•  Backhoe Loaders

•  Skid Steer Loaders (Bobcat and equivalent)

•  Trenchers & Boring Machines

•  Scaffolding Systems & Construction Towers (breakbulk)

•  Dump Trucks & Articulated Haulers

•  Asphalt Pavers & Milling Machines

•  Pile Drivers & Drilling Rigs

Agricultural Machinery

  • Tractors — compact, utility, and row-crop
  • Combine Harvesters & Grain Headers
  • Cotton Pickers & Strippers
  • Sprayers — self-propelled and tractor-mounted
  • Planters & Seeders
  • Balers & Forage Harvesters
  • Telehandlers & Telescopic Loaders
  • Irrigation Equipment
  • Tractor Implements & Attachments

Have a piece of equipment not listed here? Contact us with make, model, and dimensions — if it can be shipped, we can ship it.

Shipping Methods for Heavy Machinery

The right shipping method depends on your equipment’s size, weight, running condition, and destination. Go Ocean Logistics evaluates all options and recommends the most cost-effective and operationally sound solution for each shipment.

RoRo High & Heavy

For Self-Propelled, Running Equipment

RoRo (Roll-On / Roll-Off) is the most cost-effective method for machinery that is operational and can be driven or towed onto a vessel under its own power. Specialized High & Heavy RoRo vessels are engineered for large, heavy cargo and can accommodate:

 

SpecificationTypical Capacity
Maximum Height Up to 6.1 metres (20 ft)
Maximum Width Up to 12 metres (39 ft)
Maximum Weight Up to 400 tonnes

Suitable for: wheeled and tracked equipment that is operational — excavators, bulldozers, loaders, motor graders, compactors, tractors, combines, forklifts, and more.

Flat Rack Container

For Non-Running or Oversized Equipment

Flat rack containers are open platforms with no walls or roof, loaded from the top or sides using a crane or forklift. They are ideal for machinery that:

  • Cannot be driven (non-running or immobilized)
  • Is over-width, over-length, or over-height for standard containers
  • Is heavy and requires crane handling regardless of dimensions
  • 20′ Flat Rack — compact machinery, small loaders, generators
  • 40′ Flat Rack — large excavators, bulldozers, agricultural headers
  • Collapsible Flat Rack (COFL / Platform) — foldable ends for return shipping economy

Open Top Container

For Tall Cargo

When hours matter, we coordinate emergency air freight for mission-critical cargo. This includes charter aircraft access, immediate collection, and door-to-door coordination with a dedicated point of contact available through the entire shipment.

Full Container Load (FCL)

For Smaller Equipment

Standard 20′ or 40′ containers are suitable for compact machinery, tractor implements, spare parts, and equipment components. FCL provides complete enclosure and maximum protection from weather and handling.

Break Bulk

For Very Large or Uniquely Configured Cargo

For extremely large equipment that exceeds all container and flat rack options — such as large cranes, oversized industrial presses, or multi-unit production lines — we can arrange break bulk or project cargo shipping. Break bulk cargo is loaded directly onto a general cargo vessel without any container, using ship’s gear or shore cranes.
Contact us to discuss break bulk requirements for your project.

Dismantling for Duty Savings

Savings

In some cases, shipping machinery as disassembled parts rather than as a complete unit can result in lower import duty classifications at the destination country. We can coordinate professional dismantling services so your equipment is shipped as components, potentially reducing your total landed cost. Reassembly at destination is your responsibility or can be arranged through local agents.

Step-by-Step: International Heavy Machinery Shipping

Step 1: Submit Equipment Details for a Custom Quote

Accurate quoting for heavy machinery requires specific information:

  • Equipment type, make, model, and year
  • Overall dimensions: length × width × height (with all attachments in transport position)
  • Operating weight (and shipping weight if different)
  • Running condition — self-propelled, towable, or static/non-running
  • Origin location (city/state) or nearest U.S. port
  • Destination country and port
  • Quantity of units (fleet shipments welcome)
  • Any special handling or export requirements

We do not use generic pricing for heavy machinery. Every quote is built from your actual equipment specifications and the carrier capacity available at the time of booking.

Step 2: Method Selection & Booking

We review your equipment dimensions against current vessel schedules and recommend the appropriate shipping method — RoRo High & Heavy, Flat Rack, Open Top, FCL, or Break Bulk. Once confirmed, we issue your booking and prepare a complete documentation checklist.

Step 3: Export Documentation

Required documents for heavy machinery export typically include:

  • Certificate of Title or Proof of Ownership
  • Bill of Sale or Commercial Invoice
  • Packing List (for multi-piece shipments)
  • Government-issued photo ID or company letterhead
  • Export license (if applicable — certain dual-use equipment may require ECCN classification)

Go Ocean Logistics files the U.S. Customs AES/EEI export declaration, prepares the Bill of Lading, and coordinates all port documentation on your behalf.

Step 4: Equipment Preparation & Port Delivery

  • Clean all soil, mud, and organic material from tracks, tires, and undercarriage — required for international biosecurity
  • Drain fuel to minimum operating level, or fully drain for flat rack/container shipping
  • Disconnect batteries or ensure all electrical systems are powered off
  • Secure or remove any loose attachments, buckets, blades, or accessories
  • Lower booms, arms, and masts to transport position
  • Confirm no active hydraulic leaks
  • Ensure tires/tracks are in acceptable condition for port movement

Option A — Self-deliver: Drive, haul, or tow your equipment to the designated terminal by the cut-off date. We provide terminal entry instructions.

Option B — We arrange transport: We coordinate specialized heavy equipment transport (lowboy, RGN, or flatbed trailer) from your job site or yard to the departure port.

Transit times are airport-to-airport. Door-to-door adds pickup, export processing, destination customs clearance, and final delivery time

Step 5: Ocean Transit

Destination Region Estimated Transit Time
Caribbean & Central America10 – 18 days
South America18 – 30 days
Europe (Northern) 16 – 24 days
Europe (Mediterranean)20 – 30 days
West Africa20 – 32 days
East Africa32 – 45 days
Middle East25 – 38 days
Asia & Pacific35 – 50 days

Step 6: Destination Clearance & Delivery

Our overseas agent network handles destination port release, import customs clearance, and duty coordination. For fleet or project shipments, we can arrange in-country transport from the port to your job site or storage facility.

U.S. Ports for Heavy Machinery Export

Baltimore, MD

Baltimore, MD — AMPORTS Terminal (primary High & Heavy RoRo hub)

Newark, NJ

Newark / Port Newark, NJ

Jacksonville, FL

Jacksonville, FL — JAXPORT Blount Island

Houston, TX

Houston, TX — Barbours Cut / Bayport (strong access to Latin America & Middle East)

Savannah, GA

Savannah, GA

Los Angeles, CA

Long Beach / Los Angeles, CA

Tacoma, WA

Tacoma, WA

Newport News, VA

Tacoma, WA

New Orleans, LA

New Orleans, LA (project & break bulk capability)

Global Destinations for Machinery Shipping

Latin America & Caribbean

Panama, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Honduras, Colombia, Brazil, Ecuador, Chile, Peru, Puerto Rico, Trinidad & Tobago, and more

Africa

Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, South Africa, Senegal, Togo, Cameroon, Cote d’Ivoire, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Mozambique, Zambia, Angola, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Gambia, and more

Europe

Germany, UK, France, Spain, Italy, Netherlands, Belgium, Greece, Sweden, Portugal, Poland, and more

Middle East

UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Jordan, Oman, Iraq, and more

Asia & Pacific

Philippines, Australia, New Zealand, and more — contact us for availability

Fleet & Project Cargo Capability

Go Ocean Logistics regularly handles multi-unit machinery shipments for contractors, dealers, NGOs, and government agencies shipping equipment to construction or agricultural projects worldwide. We can:

  • Consolidate multiple machines onto the same vessel sailing
  • Coordinate port pickups from multiple U.S. origin locations
  • Manage all export documentation under a single booking reference
  • Arrange staggered departures to match your project deployment schedule
  • Provide destination delivery to job site or depot through local agents

Contact us to discuss project cargo pricing — multi-unit shipments typically qualify for preferential rates.

Marine Cargo Insurance for Heavy Machinery

Heavy machinery represents significant capital investment. Marine cargo insurance is strongly recommended for all equipment shipments — especially for open-carrier methods like Flat Rack and RoRo, where equipment is exposed to the elements during transit.

Full Coverage

1.75% of declared value

Total Loss Only

1.25% of declared value

Coverage is active from port loading at the U.S. terminal to port release at destination. Fleet insurance packages available for multi-unit project shipments.

Why Companies Choose Go Ocean for Machinery Shipping

High & Heavy Expertise

We understand the difference between standard RoRo and High & Heavy operations. We know which vessels accommodate your equipment’s dimensions and which terminals have the crane capacity for flat rack loading.

All Shipping Methods in One Roof

RoRo, Flat Rack, Open Top, FCL container, or Break Bulk — we match the method to your machinery, not the other way around.

OOG Cargo Specialists

Out of Gauge cargo requires more than a bigger container. We manage the carrier approvals, stowage planning, and specialized port handling that OOG shipments require.

Customs Handled End-to-End

Export filing, Bill of Lading, destination import clearance — all managed through our licensed broker network.

Fleet & Project Capability

From a single tractor to a 50-machine fleet, we handle the scale and complexity of commercial and project machinery shipments.

Transparent Pricing

We quote the full cost: ocean freight, documentation, terminal handling, and applicable surcharges — all upfront, no hidden fees at delivery.

Personal Service

One dedicated contact from booking to delivery. You’ll always know the status of your equipment.

Fully Licensed & Bonded

U.S. DOT NO. 3124544 | MC #89820

Frequently Asked Questions

Please reach us at sales@gooceanlogistics.com if you cannot find an answer to your question.

Yes. Non-running equipment is shipped on Flat Rack or Open Top containers using crane or forklift loading at the terminal. Additional handling fees apply. Provide us with the equipment dimensions and running condition so we can build the right solution.

Yes — thoroughly. International biosecurity regulations require all soil, mud, plant material, and organic debris to be removed from tracks, tires, wheels, and undercarriage before the equipment enters the port. Dirty equipment may be rejected or require costly decontamination at your expense.

In some cases, yes — if the overall dimensions remain within carrier limits. In other cases, attachments (buckets, blades, booms) must be removed and shipped separately to bring the cargo within clearance. We advise on this during the quoting process.

OOG refers to cargo that exceeds the standard dimensions of a general purpose shipping container — typically anything over 2.4m wide, 2.6m tall (for 20′) or over standard length. OOG cargo is carried on Flat Racks, Open Top containers, or as break bulk. We specialize in OOG machinery shipments.

In some countries, yes. Disassembled machinery may be classified as ‘parts’ rather than ‘complete equipment,’ which carries a lower import duty rate. We can coordinate professional dismantling and help you evaluate whether this strategy makes financial sense for your destination country.

Absolutely. We handle multi-unit project shipments regularly. We consolidate equipment onto shared sailings, manage all export documentation centrally, and coordinate destination delivery through our local agent network.

Typically: proof of ownership (title or bill of sale), commercial invoice, packing list for multi-unit shipments, and government-issued ID. Some equipment may require an export license. We provide a complete checklist with every booking.

Ready to Ship Your Heavy Machinery?

Send us your equipment details — make, model, dimensions, and destination — and we’ll build a custom shipping plan.

Office Hours: Monday–Friday | 9AM–3PM ET / 7AM–5PM PT