Pellet Mill EXW Factory Price: Complete Cost Guide

News 2026-08-01

Page SEO Summary: This procurement guide helps international buyers understand pellet mill EXW factory prices—covering trade term definition, cost components, additional costs, and total landed cost calculation.

For experienced international buyers, EXW (Ex Works) pricing offers the greatest control over the procurement process. As the trade term with the smallest seller responsibility, EXW price represents the equipment cost at the factory gate—and nothing more. Everything else, from inland transport to export clearance to ocean freight, is the buyer’s responsibility.

This guide provides a comprehensive framework for understanding pellet mill EXW factory prices, helping you calculate total landed costs and determine whether this pricing model suits your procurement needs.


What Is EXW Price?

Definition

TermMeaning
EXWEx Works (from the factory)
IncludedEquipment cost only (as specified in contract)
Not IncludedExport packing, inland freight, export clearance, ocean freight, insurance, destination charges, import duties, VAT

EXW vs. FOB vs. CNF vs. CIF

ElementEXWFOBCNFCIF
Equipment
Export packing
Inland freight (China)
Export clearance
Ocean freight
Insurance

Buyer Responsibilities Under EXW

ResponsibilityBuyer
Arrange export packing
Arrange inland transport
Arrange export clearance
Arrange ocean freight
Arrange insurance
Arrange import clearance
Pay import duties/VAT

Price Range Reference

Typical EXW Price Ranges (USD)

Machine TypeCapacityEXW Price RangeApplication
Flat die (small)30-100 kg/h$400-1,800Small farms
Flat die (medium)100-300 kg/h$1,500-4,500Small-medium farms
Ring die (small)200-500 kg/h$4,000-13,000Commercial farms
Ring die (medium)500-1,500 kg/h$13,000-30,000Feed mills
Ring die (large)1.5-5 t/h$30,000-70,000Large feed mills
Complete feed line1-3 t/h$45,000-135,000Feed plants
Complete biomass line1-3 t/h$55,000-180,000Biomass plants

EXW vs. FOB Price Difference

CapacityEXW PriceFOB PriceDifference% Increase
Flat die (small)$800$1,000$20025%
Ring die (small)$6,000$7,500$1,50025%
Ring die (medium)$18,000$22,000$4,00022%
Complete line$60,000$75,000$15,00025%

Additional Costs: EXW to Landed Cost

Cost Components After EXW

Cost ComponentTypical RangeResponsibility
Export packing3-10% of equipment costBuyer
Inland transport (factory to port)$300-1,500Buyer
Export clearance$100-500Buyer
Ocean freight$1,000-5,000Buyer
Insurance0.3-1.0% of valueBuyer
Destination port charges$200-800Buyer
Customs clearance (import)$100-500Buyer
Import duties0-20%Buyer
VAT/Import tax0-25%Buyer
Inland freight (destination)$200-2,000Buyer

Step-by-Step Cost Addition

StepComponentEstimate ($)
1EXW Price10,000
2+ Export packing+500
3+ Inland transport (China)+500
4+ Export clearance+200
5= FOB Price11,200
6+ Ocean freight+2,000
7+ Insurance+100
8= CIF Price13,300
9+ Destination charges+400
10+ Customs clearance+200
11+ Import duty+200
12+ VAT+2,600
13+ Inland freight (destination)+500
14Total Landed Cost17,200

Buyer Responsibilities Under EXW

What the Buyer Must Arrange

TaskDetailsTimeline
1. Export packingSecure, seaworthy packingBefore pickup
2. Inland transportTruck from factory to portArrange pickup date
3. Export clearanceCustoms declaration and documentsBefore shipment
4. Ocean freightBook container and shippingSchedule sailing
5. InsuranceCargo insuranceBefore shipment
6. Import clearanceCustoms at destinationAfter arrival
7. Duties and taxesPay import duties and VATDuring clearance
8. Final transportPort to final siteAfter clearance

Documents Required

DocumentPurposeWho Prepares
Commercial invoiceCustoms and paymentSeller
Packing listCargo detailsSeller
Bill of ladingShipping titleCarrier
Certificate of originDuty preferenceSeller
Export declarationExport clearanceBuyer or agent
Import declarationImport clearanceBuyer or agent

Why Choose a Customs Broker

ReasonBenefit
ExpertiseAvoids errors and delays
DocumentationCorrect paperwork
Regulatory complianceMeets regulations
Time savingsFaster clearance

Pellet Machine

EXW vs. Other Trade Terms

Comparison Summary

AspectEXWFOBCNFCIF
Buyer effortMostModerateLowLowest
Buyer controlMostHighModerateLow
Cost transparencyHighHighModerateLower
RiskBuyer bearsSharedSeller managesSeller manages
Best forExperiencedMost buyersFirst-timeConvenience

When to Choose EXW

FactorYes to EXWNo to EXW
ExperienceExperienced importerFirst-time buyer
Freight forwarderHave oneDon’t have one
Control preferenceWant full controlPrefer seller manages
Cost focusWant lowest priceWant convenience
Logistics capabilityStrong logisticsWeak logistics

Total Landed Cost Calculation Examples

Example 1: Small Pellet Mill ($5,000 EXW) to Southeast Asia

ItemAmount (USD)
EXW Price5,000
Export packing300
Inland freight (China)400
Export clearance150
FOB Price5,850
Ocean freight800
Insurance35
Destination charges200
Customs clearance100
Import duty (0%)0
VAT (10%)699
Inland freight (destination)200
Total Landed Cost7,884

Example 2: Medium Pellet Mill ($15,000 EXW) to Europe

ItemAmount (USD)
EXW Price15,000
Export packing800
Inland freight (China)600
Export clearance200
FOB Price16,600
Ocean freight2,000
Insurance100
Destination charges400
Customs clearance200
Import duty (1.7%)333
VAT (21%)4,213
Inland freight (destination)500
Total Landed Cost24,346

Example 3: Large Pellet Mill ($50,000 EXW) to North America

ItemAmount (USD)
EXW Price50,000
Export packing2,500
Inland freight (China)1,000
Export clearance300
FOB Price53,800
Ocean freight4,000
Insurance300
Destination charges600
Customs clearance300
Import duty (2.5%)1,475
VAT/import tax (0%)0
Inland freight (destination)800
Total Landed Cost61,275

Supplier Questions for EXW Quotes

QuestionWhy Ask
“What is the EXW price?”Base cost
“What is the packed weight and volume?”Freight calculation
“Do you provide export packing?”If not, buyer arranges
“Do you provide documents for export?”Export clearance
“Can I visit the factory for inspection?”Quality verification
“What is your payment terms?”Financial planning

Procurement Checklist: EXW Price Evaluation

Pre-Purchase

  • □ Required machine specifications defined
  • □ EXW quote requested from suppliers
  • □ Packing weight and volume obtained
  • □ Payment terms confirmed

Cost Calculation

  • □ EXW price confirmed
  • □ Export packing cost estimated
  • □ Inland freight (China) estimated
  • □ Export clearance cost estimated
  • □ Ocean freight quoted
  • □ Insurance cost calculated
  • □ Import duty rate checked
  • □ VAT rate confirmed
  • □ Total landed cost calculated

Logistics Planning

  • □ Freight forwarder identified
  • □ Customs broker identified (import)
  • □ Export packing arranged or confirmed
  • □ Shipping schedule planned
  • □ Insurance arranged

Supplier Evaluation

  • □ Multiple EXW quotes compared
  • □ Scope of supply verified
  • □ Component specifications reviewed
  • □ Factory visit planned (if needed)

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is EXW price?

EXW (Ex Works) price is the equipment cost at the factory gate. It includes only the equipment itself. The buyer is responsible for all additional costs: packing, transport, export clearance, freight, insurance, and import charges.

2. What is the difference between EXW and FOB?

EXW includes only the equipment at the factory. FOB includes equipment + export packing + inland freight to port + export clearance. FOB is typically 20-30% higher than EXW.

3. Who arranges export clearance under EXW?

The buyer is responsible for export clearance under EXW. In practice, many buyers use a freight forwarder who can arrange clearance on their behalf.

4. Who pays for export packing under EXW?

The buyer pays for export packing. Some suppliers can arrange packing at additional cost; others require the buyer to arrange their own packing.

5. Is EXW cheaper than FOB?

EXW is cheaper than FOB because it includes fewer services. However, the total cost to the buyer may be higher if the buyer cannot arrange logistics as efficiently as the supplier.

6. When should I choose EXW?

EXW is best for experienced importers with their own freight forwarders who want maximum control over the logistics process and the lowest possible equipment price.

7. How do I calculate total cost from EXW?

Total cost = EXW + export packing + inland freight + export clearance + ocean freight + insurance + destination charges + import duties + VAT + inland freight. This gives the complete landed cost.

8. Is EXW riskier than other trade terms?

EXW transfers risk to the buyer earlier than other terms. The buyer bears risk from the moment the goods are made available at the factory. This is why EXW is recommended only for experienced buyers.


About the Author

Zhang Wei – Senior International Sales Engineer, Shandong Changsheng Machinery Co., Ltd.

Zhang Wei has over 12 years of experience in the biomass and feed pellet mill industry, with a background in mechanical engineering and international project execution. He has managed pellet mill export projects to clients across Southeast Asia, the Middle East, Africa, Europe, and Latin America, with extensive experience in international trade, pricing, and logistics.

With hands-on experience in both the manufacturing workshop and client-side operations, Zhang brings practical insights into successful equipment procurement—from the factory floor to the customer’s site.