Buying a freeze dryer from China can cut the equipment budget substantially, but only if you control four things: who actually builds the machine, what exactly is in the contract, how it is tested, and how it reaches your floor.
Many sellers are trading companies. That is not automatically bad, but you should know who welds your chamber. Ask for a live video walk-through of the workshop, see machines in production, and request the business licence. A visit before signing is the strongest check if the order justifies it.
The quotation is not enough. A technical agreement attached to the contract should fix:
Agree on a factory acceptance test: pump-down to the specified vacuum, condenser temperature, shelf temperature control and a leak test. Witness it in person or by live video, and keep the recorded values; they become your baseline after installation.
Common practice is a deposit to start production and the balance before shipment, by bank transfer; letters of credit are often used for larger orders. Agree the Incoterm clearly, for example FOB or CIF from Qingdao, the major port closest to our factory in Shandong. Large chambers can need special containers, so confirm packaging and container type in the contract.
Clarify whether an engineer will travel for installation and training, and who covers travel and visa costs. Check early which certifications or electrical standards your country requires, so the machine is built to them rather than modified later.
Our approach: we build in our own workshop, put every figure in the technical agreement, and welcome factory visits or live video inspections before you commit.
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