In recent years, some used construction machinery has been found to have undergone unauthorized repainting, alterations to operating hours, changes to nameplates and equipment information, and other modifications. Customs authorities across China have continued to strengthen inspections of used construction machinery for export.

If a piece of equipment was originally manufactured by SANY, does that mean it can simply be fitted with a “SANY” logo and exported? Does repainting and refurbishing the equipment automatically make it “SANY Certified Used Equipment”?

The answer is no. A used equipment originally manufactured by SANY does not necessarily qualify as SANY Certified Used Equipment. Unauthorized use of the SANY brand logo may also result in risks such as intellectual property infringement, seizure, and export restrictions.

Two Publicly Disclosed Penalty Cases Send a Clear Signal

In June 2026, an administrative penalty decision published by Taicang Customs showed that a trading company had declared two used excavators for export bearing the “SANY” logo without authorization. Customs confiscated the relevant goods and imposed a fine of RMB 37,526.

In March 2026, an administrative penalty decision published by Yangshan Customs showed that a company had declared one used excavator for export to Venezuela bearing the “SANY” logo without authorization. Customs confiscated the equipment and imposed a fine of RMB 12,048.32.

According to relevant laws and regulations, the import and export of goods that infringe intellectual property rights are prohibited. Infringing goods may be confiscated and subject to fines in accordance with the law.

A Fresh Coat of Paint Does Not Equal a Certification Standard

Publicly available information shows that there have been multiple cases involving customs inspections and seizures of used equipment bearing well-known brand logos without authorization. Relevant issues include unauthorized use of brand logos, alterations to manufacturing dates, models, and actual operating hours, as well as inconsistencies between nameplates and equipment information.

Only equipment that meets SANY’s certification standards and has completed official certification can be called SANY Certified Used Equipment.

The Value of Certification Goes Beyond “Verifying Identity”

To address industry challenges such as unverifiable equipment origins, unclear machine conditions, and inaccurate operating-hour records, SANY established SANY Certified Used Equipment Co., Ltd., which is dedicated to the supervision of SANY used equipment and the development of its industry ecosystem.

The core advantages of SANY Certified Used Equipment are official certification, global warranty, and verified equipment information and operating hours. Backed by Sany’s official system, professional inspections are carried out on equipment identity, maintenance records, key components and overall machine performance. Through its global service system, corresponding support is provided for certified equipment that meets the applicable requirements. By verifying the equipment’s identity and actual operating hours, the certification process makes machine conditions more transparent and provides a more reliable basis for assessing equipment value.

The “Right Source Initiative”: Bringing Compliant Equipment to Global Markets

SANY is advancing the “Right Source Initiative” for used equipment by continuously developing overseas dealer channels and establishing standardized partnerships with domestic used-equipment dealers, service providers, and channel partners. The initiative aims to help equipment with clear origins, accurate information, and compliant machine conditions complete official certification and enter overseas markets in compliance with applicable requirements.

When Purchasing SANY Used Equipment, Look for Official Certification

When purchasing used equipment, do not focus solely on its appearance or the seller’s description. Be sure to verify whether the equipment records, nameplate, and operating hours are accurate, whether the machine has undergone professional inspection, and whether its information can be verified through official SANY channels.

True brand value does not come from a fresh coat of paint, but from a set of standards that can be verified.

When purchasing SANY used equipment, look for SANY Group’s sole official certification platform — SANY Certified Used Equipment.