Importing an extrusion blow molding (EBM) machine into South America is far more than a freight booking. It is a coordinated sequence of tariff classification, country-specific customs procedure, certification alignment, electrical standardization and ocean logistics that determines whether your production line starts on schedule or sits behind a port fence accruing storage fees. This guide walks procurement managers, plant engineers and project owners through the complete path from a supplier’s factory in China to a running EBM line in Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru, Colombia or their neighboring markets.
Apollo, a Wanplas factory, is a Zhangjiagang-based manufacturer of automatic extrusion blow molding machines with more than 20 years of manufacturing history. The plant sits inside the Yangtze River Delta industrial belt, roughly a two-hour drive from Shanghai airport, occupies an 8,000 square meter facility, and reaches an annual production capacity of around 100 machines. To date more than 4,000 Apollo units are running in over 90 countries, including several markets across South America. That track record means the document packages, voltage adaptations and crating methods described here are not theoretical — they are the same packages Apollo prepares for every export shipment.
Throughout this article we keep a strict separation between what is a technology or regulation comparison and what is a brand comparison. We benchmark against generic categories such as conventional hydraulic machines or entry-level imported units, and we describe official systems such as Siscomex, SUNAT, VUCE, INMETRO, IRAM, Mercosur, ISPM 15 and NR-12 as the public frameworks they are. The objective is to give you a repeatable import playbook that protects lead time, controls landed cost and satisfies the safety authority at the destination.
HS Classification and Tariff Treatment for Blow Molding Maszyny
The first decision in any import plan is the correct customs classification, because every downstream duty, license and inspection step attaches to the HS (Harmonized System) code. For an extrusion blow molding machine built to process rubber or plastics, the standard heading is HS 8477.30, defined as blow molding machines for working rubber or plastics. National tariff schedules extend this six-digit base with additional digits, but the core classification is shared by virtually every customs territory worldwide, which makes it the stable anchor for your import declaration.
Auxiliary and peripheral equipment does not automatically share that heading. Deflashers, leak-test stations, granulators, conveyors, water chillers and compressed-air systems are ordinarily entered under their own subheadings, and the mold, die head and parison tooling are classified separately as molds for rubber or plastics. Treating the complete line as a single machine is possible only when the components are presented as a functionally complete unit with a principal operating machine; otherwise authorities expect a split declaration. The practical takeaway is to ask the supplier for a per-item bill of materials mapped to HS subheadings so the invoice lines line up with the customs entries.
Regionalne bloki dodają swoje własne warstwy kodowania. Cztery kraje członkowskie Mercosuru — Brazylia, Argentyna, Urugwaj i Paragwaj — stosują Nomenklaturę Komumową Mercosuru (NCM), w której osiem lub dziesięć cyfr to rozszerzenie bazy KSH, regulowane przez ogólną cenną graniczną Międzynarodowej Organizacji Handlowej (WTO). Członkowie Andyjskiej Organizacji Handlowej — Kolumbia, Peru, Ekwador i Bolwija — stosują zestaw kodów NANDINA, który również opiera się na tej samej szesciodziestrzonej bazie KSH, z dodatkowymi uzależnionymi od And w rozszerzeniach. Ponieważ oba systemy kodu pochodzą z KSH, pierwsze sześć cyfr są zazwyczaj identyczne; różnica pojawia się w ostatnich cyfrach oraz w stosowanym stawie celnym.
Tariff levels are best expressed as percentage bands rather than fixed amounts, because the ad valorem rate is applied to the customs value and the absolute duty therefore scales with the transaction price. Across South America, the applied import duty on capital machinery of this kind typically falls into a moderate band, with Mercosur’s CET setting a common outer tariff ceiling that individual members apply with limited variation. Some categories benefit from temporary tariff suspension or exemption for capital goods not produced domestically, but such relief is conditional and time-limited, so it must be verified against the current nomenclature before relying on it. Never assume a zero rate; always confirm the current NCM or NANDINA rate and any exemption window with the licensed broker.
Value-added and internal taxes compound the picture. In Brazil the federal IPI (tax on industrialized produkty), PIS and COFINS (social contributions) and the state-level ICMS (goods and services circulation tax) can apply on top of the import duty, and the interplay of credits and substitution can shift the effective burden. In the Andean members, value-added tax at import is the more visible layer. The mechanism, not the amount, is what matters for planning: budget the duty as a percentage of customs value, then add the locally applicable VAT or equivalent as a separate percentage, and keep working capital available because these are normally paid at clearance before release.
Why classification discipline protects your lead time
Misclassification is the single most common cause of a hold at the border. A wrong heading can trigger an unexpected license requirement, a different tax rate, or a request for additional technical evidence that costs weeks. Apollo supports the declaration by issuing a technical description that states the working principle (continuous extrusion or accumulator head), the material family processed, the maximum container volume, and the machine function, so the broker can defend the 8477.30 entry. When the shipment includes a mold or a separate chiller, those lines carry their own codes and their own rates, which is exactly why a transparent, line-by-line invoice is non-negotiable.
Country-by-Country Customs Clearance Matrix for South America
South America is not a single customs union. Mercosur binds its members around a common external tariff and shared nomenclature, but each country keeps its own customs authority, license rules, safety regulations and documentation language. The Andean Community aligns coding but not procedure. The matrix below summarizes the structural differences you must plan around; treat it as a planning map, not a substitute for the licensed broker’s current advice.
| Country | Customs System / Basis | License / Permit Trigger | Safety / Electrical Regime | Document Language | Tariff Posture |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brazil | Siscomex – system elektroniczny; kod NCM; rejestr importerów RADAR | Import License (LI) for used machines and controlled items; new machines often exempt unless specific control applies | NR-12 machinery safety; INMETRO scope where applicable; ICMS/IPI/PIS/COFINS taxes | Portuguese for manuals, labels, risk files | Moderate CET-based band; possible ex-tariff relief |
| Argentina | AFIP / custom declaration; NCM code; foreign-exchange approval | Prior import declaration and central-bank payment approval for FX | IRAM standards; Spanish documentation | Spanish | Moderate Mercosur band; statistical and assessment fees |
| Chile | Relatywny tarif otwarty; kod NALADISA; pochodzenie umowy o wolnej handlu | Generally license-light; certificate of origin for FTA preference | SEC electrical safety requirements; Spanish docs | Spanish | Low base tariff; FTA origin can reduce duty |
| Peru | SUNAT customs; Ventanilla Única (VUCE); NANDINA code | Declaration through single window; food-contact end-use links to sanitary oversight | Spanish documentation; end-product sanitary衔接 for food contact | Spanish | Moderate Andean band; FTA preferences available |
| Colombia | VUCE single window; NANDINA code; DIAN customs | Single-window declaration; INVIMA role only for food-contact end produkty | Dokumentacja hiszpańska; Schemat ochrony elektrycznej RETIE dla instalacji | Spanish | Moderate Andean band; Andean price system checks |
| Uruguay | DNA customs; NCM code (Mercosur) | Mercosur-aligned; lighter controls than Brazil | Spanish docs; unit-level safety expectations | Spanish | CET-aligned band |
| Ecuador | Customs; NANDINA code (Andean) | Declaration with supporting technical docs | Spanish docs; electrical conformity at installation | Spanish | Andean band; FTA preferences |
| Boliwa | Customs; NANDINA code (Andean) | Declaration with technical and commercial docs | Spanish docs; local electrical inspection | Spanish | Andean band |
| Paraguay | Customs; NCM code (Mercosur) | Mercosur-aligned declaration | Spanish docs; unit-level safety expectations | Spanish | CET-aligned band |
Brazil: Siscomex, RADAR, LI and NR-12 in detail
Brazil is the most procedure-heavy destination and deserves the deepest preparation. Import begins in the Siscomex electronic system, where the importer must hold a valid RADAR accreditation that grades the company’s clearance limit. The NCM code drives the rate and any special control. For a brand-new EBM machine, a prior Import License is frequently not required unless the item falls under a controlled list; for used or second-hand machinery, an LI is normally mandatory, and the importer typically must demonstrate that no equivalent nationally produced machine exists. This new-versus-used distinction is the reason many South American buyers prefer new units: it removes the license and the proof-of-absence burden.
On the safety side, NR-12 is the Brazilian regulatory framework for machinery and equipment safety. It mandates fixed and movable guards, interlocking safety doors, light curtains on accessible danger zones, clearly marked emergency stops, two-hand start where the risk assessment requires it, a documented risk assessment, and Portuguese-language labeling and operation manuals. INMETRO applies where a product standard exists within its scope; not every blow molding machine falls under an INMETRO certification, but the NR-12 obligations apply broadly to the workplace machine. The tax stack — ICMS at the state level, IPI at the federal level, and PIS and COFINS as social contributions — is applied through a credits-and-debits mechanism that the broker reconciles at clearance.
Argentina, Chile, Peru and Colombia: distinct but manageable
Argentina layers a prior import declaration and a foreign-exchange payment approval step onto the NCM-based duty, and expects Spanish-language documentation aligned with IRAM references. Chile runs a relatively open tariff with free-trade-agreement origin benefits and SEC electrical safety requirements; a correct certificate of origin can materially lower the applied duty. Peru processes the declaration through SUNAT and the Ventanilla Única (VUCE) single window, with Spanish documents, and where the blown container is a food-contact article the end-product chain connects to sanitary oversight rather than to the machine itself. Colombia uses its own VUCE single window under DIAN, with NANDINA coding; INVIMA’s role is limited to food-contact and pharmaceutical end produkty, not to the machinery, so the buyer should not expect a machine-level INVIMA certificate but should keep end-product compliance in view.
Required Shipping Documents and Certificate Package
Wolny przejście celny uzyskuje się lub straci się w zestawie dokumentów. Urzędy w Ameryce Południowej oczekują na spójny zestaw, w którym faktura handlowa, lista zapakowań oraz konieczność lądowa ściśle ładują się w odniesieniu ilości, wag i wartości, a dokument techniczny potwierdza deklarowaną klasyfikację i zgodność z bezpieczeństwem. W poniższej tabeli znajduje się lista dokumentów, które zazwyczaj przygotowuje firma Apollo oraz ich rol, jakie odgrywają. Zapewnij sobie jedną certyfikowaną kopię w kartonie i jeden komplet, który zostanie wysłany elektronicznie przed przyjazdem.
| Document | Primary Purpose | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial Invoice | Declares transaction value and parties | Line-by-line per machine, mold and spare part; matches packing list exactly |
| Packing List | Details packages, dimensions, gross/net weight | Critical for container and crane planning; supports freight and storage fees |
| Bill of Lading / Sea Waybill | Evidence of contract of carriage | Zaleca się podanie oryginalnych dokumentów B/L, aby uzyskać zgody na zwolnienie; potwierdzić adresata i poinformować stronę |
| Certificate of Origin | Wsparcies ordinary or preferential duty | General CO for most cases; FTA FORM where the destination recognizes China FTA preference |
| ISPM 15 Packing Declaration | Quarantine compliance for wood packing | Solid wood must be marked IPPC after heat treatment or fumigation; plywood exempt |
| Insurance Certificate | Covers cargo risk in transit | Align coverage value and Incoterm with the sales contract |
| Crating and Nameplate Photos | Verifies identity and condition | Nameplate shows model, serial, voltage, frequency, power; matches declaration |
| Rysunki techniczne i instrukcje | Wsparcies classification and operation | Portuguese or Spanish versions per destination; HMI language set accordingly |
| CE Technical File and Declaration of Conformity | Evidence of design compliance | Base for export; NR-12 risk file added for Brazil |
| Warranty and Spare-Parts List | After-sales and valuation support | Links to the USD 500 free parts per year policy and recommended spare kit |
The certificate of origin deserves a deliberate choice. A general Certificate of Origin (CO) supports the ordinary duty and is accepted broadly. Where the destination maintains a free-trade agreement that recognizes origin from China, the preferential FORM can lower or zero the applied rate; the trade-off is stricter origin criteria and a formal issuance process. The decision is made per shipment, not per machine model, so it belongs in the pre-shipment checklist with the broker.
ISPM 15 is frequently underestimated. Any solid wood used in crating — skids, braces, spacers — must be debarked and either heat treated or fumigated to the standard, then branded with the IPPC mark that shows the treatment code. Processed wood panels such as plywood or oriented strand board are generally outside the scope, which is why many exporters prefer plywood crates to avoid the treatment step entirely. Keep the treatment certificate with the documents, because ports across South America inspect the mark on arrival, and a missing or illegible brand can force re-treatment or rejection at the buyer’s cost.
Incoterms and Responsibility Allocation
Incoterms define where the seller’s responsibility ends and the buyer’s begins across three dimensions: which party carries the risk of loss or damage, which party pays for each leg of the transport, and which party handles customs formalities at origin and destination. Choosing the wrong term is a common, expensive mistake in South American imports because destination-port charges, inland haulage and the right to appoint the clearing agent are not uniform.
| Incoterm | Risk Transfers At | Cost Coverage | South America Practical Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| EXW (Ex Works) | Seller’s factory loading point | Buyer pays everything from pickup | Buyer manages export clearance; risky if unfamiliar with Chinese export |
| FOB (Free On Board) | Onboard vessel at Chinese port | Seller covers to loading; buyer covers ocean and destination | Common and balanced; buyer keeps control of ocean freight |
| CFR (koszty i przewóz) | Onboard vessel at Chinese port | Seller pays ocean freight; buyer pays insurance and destination | Buyer must still arrange cargo insurance separately |
| CIF (Cost, Insurance, Freight) | Onboard vessel at Chinese port | Seller pays freight and insurance to port | Convenient, but seller chooses carrier; buyer controls clearance |
| DAP (Delivered At Place) | Arrival at named place, before unloading | Seller covers most transport; buyer clears import | Popular for turnkey delivery; buyer still handles customs |
| DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) | Delivered and cleared at destination | sprzedawca płaci podatki i wszystkie koszty transportu | Maximum convenience; seller must be registered to import locally |
The recurring South American trap is the destination port. Even under CIF, the seller’s obligation ends at the port of discharge; terminal handling, storage, inland haulage to the plant and customs clearance remain the buyer’s, and these local charges are often higher than expected. A second trap is the clearing-agent appointment: the importer of record should control who clears the goods, because an agent selected by a distant party may add margin and slow communication. DAP is a common compromise — the seller manages international transport to the named place while the buyer retains control of import clearance and the choice of broker. DDP is the most hands-off but requires the seller to be locally registered or to use a fiscal representative, which is not always practical.
Whatever term is chosen, the contract should state explicitly who books the ocean carrier, who pays destination terminal handling, who appoints the customs broker, and who owns the cargo if a hold extends beyond free-storage time. Writing these allocations down prevents the silent cost creep that turns a quoted machine price into a much larger landed cost.
Ocean Freight and Containerization Engineering
The physical shape and weight of an EBM machine decide the container plan, and the container plan decides a large share of the freight cost. Apollo’s ABLB small and mid models are compact enough to load complete inside a standard box, while the ABLD large machines exceed the internal envelope and require open-top, flat-rack or break-bulk shipping. Getting this right at the quotation stage avoids a last-minute re-crate and a missed sailing.
| Container / Mode | Best Suited For | Engineering Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 40HQ Dry Container | ABLB small/mid complete machines, spare kits, molds | Highest cube; machine must clear door height and internal length |
| Open-Top Container | Wysokie maszyny ładowane z góry za pomocą dźwigu | Tarpaulin covered; good when height exceeds box but width fits |
| Flat Rack | Wide or heavy ABLD frames, platen assemblies | No side walls; requires certified lashing and weather protection |
| Break-Bulk / Out-of-Gauge | Largest ABLD units beyond any container | Disassembled into manageable units; longest transit and highest handling cost |
Container selection starts from the overall dimensions and net weight published in the machine specification table. A 40HQ dry container offers a generous internal height but still caps around 2.7 meters to the door opening; an ABLB unit that fits is simply wheeled or skidded in, blocked and braced. An ABLD machine that is taller or wider than the container envelope ships on a flat rack or in an open-top, with the platen and clamping frame possibly separated. The largest ABLD units are broken into the base, the clamping station and the extrusion head for out-of-gauge shipment, then reassembled at the plant under engineer supervision.
Protection during the voyage matters as much as the box. Steel surfaces are wrapped in VCI (vapor corrosion inhibitor) film and paired with desiccant bags to fight the humid, salty atmosphere of a long ocean crossing. The crate is designed so that lift points, center of gravity and lashing points are clearly marked, and the machine is blocked against longitudinal, lateral and vertical movement. A documented lashing plan is sent with the booking so the carrier accepts the cargo without rework at the terminal.
Route and timing shape the plan. Maszyny from China’s eastern ports sail to Santos or Paranagu´ for Brazil, to Buenos Aires for Argentina, to Callao for Peru, to San Antonio or Valparaíso for Chile, and to Cartagena or Buenaventura for Colombia. As a planning band, transit to the east-coast Brazilian and Argentine ports runs in the lower double-digit weeks, while the west-coast Chilean and Peruvian ports and the north-coast Colombian ports run in a similar to slightly shorter window depending on the transshipment. These are planning ranges, not guarantees; book with buffer for the destination free-storage period, because demurrage and detention accrue quickly once the box is discharged and the clearing agent is not ready.
Managing port storage and free time
Każde miejsce dostawy zapewnia okres bezpłatnego magazynowania i wyposażenia. Plan importu powinien skupiać się na gotowości dokumentów zanim statek przybyje, ponieważ czas ten liczy się od czasu odładunku. Maszyna, która czeka w terminalu, a brokeru dojdzie kopia poradnika portugalskiego czy poprawionej faktury, powoduje zwiększenie kosztów, a żadny kliomat nie przejmuje się tym. Apollo zmniejsza te koszty, wysyłając pełny zestaw dokumentów elektronicznych przed wypłynięciem i potwierdzając wymagania językowe i certyfikatów przed opakowaniem.
Adaptacja elektryczna i bezpieczeństwa w sieciach w Ameryce Południowej
Electrical adaptation is the part of a South American import that, if ignored, turns a running machine into a tripping, overheating or under-producing liability. The continent is split between 50Hz and 60Hz grids and between several line voltages, and an extrusion blow molding machine is a frequency-sensitive system from the main motor to the cooling fan to the hydraulic pump.
| Country | Typical 3-Phase Voltage | Częstotliwość | Adaptation Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brazil | 220V or 380V | 60Hz | 60Hz motor and inverter; NR-12 safety loops |
| Argentina | 380V | 50Hz | 50Hz motor; IRAM-aligned docs |
| Chile | 380V | 50Hz | 50Hz motor; SEC electrical compliance |
| Peru | 220V or 380V | 60Hz | 60Hz motor; confirm site voltage |
| Colombia | 110 V, 220 V lub 440 V | 60Hz | Confirm exact site voltage; transformer or direct |
| Uruguay | 380V | 50Hz | 50Hz motor |
| Ecuador | 380V | 60Hz | 60Hz motor |
| Boliwa | 380V | 50Hz | 50Hz motor |
| Paraguay | 380V | 50Hz | 50Hz motor |
How 50Hz versus 60Hz actually changes machine behavior
The asynchronous main motor’s synchronous speed is proportional to supply frequency. A motor designed and rated for 50Hz, when connected to a 60Hz supply, spins about twenty percent faster; the screw rotation rises, the melt throughput per hour increases, the cooling-fan airflow and the hydraulic-pump flow grow, and the heater duty cycle shifts. Conversely, a 60Hz-rated machine placed on a 50Hz grid runs about seventeen percent slower, with lower screw speed, lower output, reduced fan and pump flow, and a longer cycle. Neither case is automatically safe: the faster case can over-speed the screw and overload the drive, while the slower case can leave the barrel under-fed and the cooling inadequate relative to the setpoints.
There are three accepted corrections. The first is to select the main motor and reducer for the destination frequency at build time, which is the cleanest and is what Apollo does when the destination grid is known. The second is inverter (frequency converter) compensation, where the drive synthesizes the correct motor frequency regardless of the incoming line, letting a single hardware build serve either grid; this is standard on modern EBM lines and is the most flexible option. The third is a change in gearbox or reducer ratio so the screw speed lands in the right band for the available line frequency. The right choice depends on whether the plant may later receive machines from mixed sources and whether the buyer wants a single global spare-motor standard.
Beyond the main drive, the control-circuit voltage, the earthing system and the available short-circuit capacity must be confirmed. South American industrial sites use TN-S or TT earthing with varying fault levels, and the electrical cabinet must match the site’s protection coordination. The cabinet protection rating (IP grade) is selected for the local environment — higher in humid coastal or dusty mining-adjacent plants. Apollo builds the main panel, the inverter parameters and the transformer or direct connection to the confirmed values, and records them on the nameplate so the clearing authority and the local electrician see a consistent declaration.
Safety loop configuration and NR-12 alignment
Safety is not separate from electrical design. The machine ships with fixed guards on the extrusion and clamping zones, interlocking safety doors that kill motion when opened, light curtains across accessible danger zones, clearly labeled emergency stops with redundant stop circuits, and two-hand start where the risk assessment requires it. For Brazil, these elements are documented in the NR-12 risk-assessment file and paired with Portuguese labeling and manuals. For Argentina and the Andean members, the same physical safeguards are expected, with Spanish documentation and alignment to the local standard references. The point is that the safety loop is configured at the factory, not improvised on site, which is why the destination country must be fixed before the control panel is wired.
Apollo EBM Machine Series for South American Zastosowania
Apollo’s extrusion blow molding program centers on three series that together cover containers from 200 milliliters to 1,500 liters. The ABLB series handles 200ML to 20L in eight model types, the ABLD series covers 20L to 1,500L in three model types for heavy-duty large containers, and the Fully Electric series covers 200ML to 20L with an all-electric drive for plants with strict energy or cleanliness targets. The specification tables below give typical engineering ranges per model type; final confirmed parameters are issued with the quotation and the nameplate.
Seria ABLB (200ML–20L), eight model types
| Model | Zakres pojemności pojemnika | Cisnienie mocowania (kN) | Screw Dia (mm) | L/D | Output (kg/h) | Die Head | Power (kW) | Overall L×W×H (mm) | Net Weight (kg) | Supply |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ABLB 55 | 200ML–3L | 40–80 | 45–55 | 20–24 | 25–60 | Continuous / Accumulator | 15–30 | 3200–4000 × 1800–2200 × 2200–2600 | 4000–7000 | 380V 50/60Hz |
| ABLB 65 | 1L–5L | 60–120 | 55–65 | 20–24 | 40–90 | Continuous / Accumulator | 22–40 | 3600–4500 × 2000–2400 × 2400–2800 | 6000–10000 | 380V 50/60Hz |
| ABLB 75 | 2L–10L | 100–180 | 60–75 | 20–24 | 60–130 | Continuous / Accumulator | 30–55 | 4000–5000 × 2200–2600 × 2600–3000 | 8000–14000 | 380V 50/60Hz |
| ABLB 80 | 3L–15L | 150–250 | 70–80 | 20–24 | 80–160 | Accumulator | 40–70 | 4500–5500 × 2400–3000 × 2800–3200 | 10000–18000 | 380V 50/60Hz |
| ABLB 90 | 5L–18L | 200–320 | 80–90 | 20–24 | 110–200 | Accumulator | 55–90 | 5000–6000 × 2600–3200 × 3000–3400 | 14000–22000 | 380V 50/60Hz |
| ABLB 100 | 10L–20L | 280–420 | 90–100 | 20–24 | 150–260 | Accumulator | 75–120 | 5500–6500 × 3000–3600 × 3200–3600 | 18000–28000 | 380V 50/60Hz |
| ABLB 120 | 10L–20L | 400–600 | 100–120 | 20–24 | 200–340 | Accumulator | 110–160 | 6000–7000 × 3200–3800 × 3400–3800 | 24000–36000 | 380V 50/60Hz |
| ABLB 150 | 15L–20L | 550–800 | 120–150 | 20–24 | 280–450 | Accumulator | 150–220 | 6500–7500 × 3400–4000 × 3600–4000 | 30000–45000 | 380V 50/60Hz |
Seria ABLD (20L–1500L), three model types
| Model | Zakres pojemności pojemnika | Cisnienie mocowania (kN) | Screw Dia (mm) | L/D | Output (kg/h) | Die Head | Power (kW) | Overall L×W×H (mm) | Net Weight (kg) | Supply |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ABLD 50 | 20L–200L | 600–1000 | 100–120 | 18–22 | 250–450 | Accumulator / Multi-head | 150–260 | 7000–9000 × 3500–4200 × 4000–5000 | 40000–70000 | 380V 50/60Hz |
| ABLD 80 | 200L–800L | 1000–1800 | 120–150 | 18–22 | 400–700 | Accumulator / Multi-head | 250–450 | 9000–12000 × 4000–5000 × 5000–6000 | 70000–130000 | 380V 50/60Hz |
| ABLD 150 | 800L–1500L | 1800–3000 | 150–200 | 18–22 | 700–1200 | Accumulator / Multi-head | 450–800 | 12000–16000 × 5000–6500 × 6000–8000 | 130000–240000 | 380V 50/60Hz |
Fully Electric Series (200ML–20L)
| Capacity Tier | Zakres pojemności pojemnika | Cisnienie mocowania (kN) | Screw Dia (mm) | L/D | Output (kg/h) | Die Head | Power (kW) | Overall L×W×H (mm) | Net Weight (kg) | Supply |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small | 200ML–2L | 40–120 | 45–55 | 20–24 | 20–50 | Continuous | 12–28 | 3000–4000 × 1800–2200 × 2200–2600 | 3500–6000 | 380V 50/60Hz |
| Średni | 2L–10L | 120–250 | 60–75 | 20–24 | 50–120 | Continuous / Accumulator | 25–55 | 4000–5200 × 2200–2800 × 2600–3000 | 7000–14000 | 380V 50/60Hz |
| Large | 10L–20L | 250–500 | 80–100 | 20–24 | 110–240 | Accumulator | 55–110 | 5200–6500 × 3000–3600 × 3200–3600 | 16000–28000 | 380V 50/60Hz |
All three series process the same broad resin family — PE, PP, PVC, PA, PC, ABS, PS, EVA, TPU and PETG — which covers the agricultural-chemical, lubricant, mining-chemical, drinking-water, detergent, coolant and jerrycan applications common across South America. The die head is offered as continuous extrusion for smaller containers and as an accumulator head for the larger parison weights, and the installed power reflects the hydraulic or all-electric drive choice. Because the overall dimensions and net weight are listed per model, the buyer can hand the table directly to the freight forwarder to lock the container plan before the machine is built.
Application Industries and End Products in South America
Apollo machines serve eight industrial domains: food and beverage, daily chemical produkty, the chemical industry, building material, medical and pharmaceutical, automobile production, transportation, and cultural and sports goods. In the South American context these map to concrete, locally significant end produkty that justify the import in the first place.
In the agricultural belts of Brazil, Argentina and the surrounding regions, the dominant blown product is the agrochemical container — the chemical-resistant drum and bottle used for crop-protection agents across the soybean-growing interior. The mining economies of Chile, Peru and Boliwa demand chemical containers for processing reagents and site consumables. Lubricant bottles and automotive coolant reservoirs serve the vehicle aftermarket in every major city, while drinking-water bottles and jars answer the bottled-water demand along the coasts and in inland towns. Detergent and household-chemical bottles feed the daily-chemical channel, and the 20-liter jerrycan remains a universal utility container for fuel, water and industrial fluids across the continent.
Building material uses include sealed pails and tanks for adhesives, coatings and construction chemicals. The medical and pharmaceutical channel uses small, clean blow-molded vessels where the all-electric series is attractive because it eliminates hydraulic oil from the process area. Transportation and automobile production consume technical hollow parts such as ducts, reservoirs and fluid tanks. Cultural and sports goods use a long tail of specialty hollow shapes. The practical implication for the importer is that the same ABLB or ABLD platform can serve several of these channels by swapping molds, so a single machine investment can serve a diversified customer base.
A South American buyer rarely imports a machine for one product alone. The ABLB platform, with quick mold change, can serve agrochemical drums in the planting season and detergent bottles in the off-season, which improves the utilization that justifies the import duty and freight.
Model Selection Recommendation by Requirement
The selection question is answered by three variables: the target container volume, the required hourly or annual output, and the destination electrical standard. The table below maps common South American requirements to a recommended Apollo series and to the container plan that follows from the machine’s dimensions and weight.
| Requirement (Volume / Output / Grid) | Recommended Series | Representative Model | Container Shipping Plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| 200ML–3L, medium output, 60Hz (Brazil/Peru) | Seria ABLB | ABLB 55 / 65 | 40HQ, complete |
| 2L–10L, higher output, 50Hz (Argentina/Chile) | Seria ABLB | ABLB 75 / 80 | 40HQ, complete |
| 10L–20L, high output, mixed grid | Seria ABLB | ABLB 100 / 120 / 150 | 40HQ or open-top depending on height |
| 200ML–20L, energy/clearliness priority, any grid | Fully Electric Series | Small / Mid / Large tier | 40HQ, complete |
| 20L–200L drums, agrochemical, 50/60Hz | Seria ABLD | ABLD 50 | Open-top or flat rack; partial disassembly |
| 200L–800L tanks, mining/chemical, 50/60Hz | Seria ABLD | ABLD 80 | Flat rack or break-bulk |
| 800L–1500L mega containers, 50/60Hz | Seria ABLD | ABLD 150 | Break-bulk, engineered disassembly |
| Food-contact bottle, 110/220/440V 60Hz (Colombia) | ABLB or Fully Electric | By volume tier | 40HQ, confirm site voltage first |
The selection logic is intentionally simple: match the volume band to the series, match the output to the model size, then match the destination grid to the drive build. When the same plant services both 50Hz and 60Hz markets through future expansion, the inverter-based build is the safer default because a single machine design serves either frequency. For the largest ABLD units, the shipping plan — not the machine price — often dominates the logistics line, so the selection table bakes the container mode directly into the recommendation.
Installation, Commissioning and On-Site Technical Handover
Clearing customs is only half the project. The machine must be installed, connected and accepted before it earns revenue. The landing plan covers four interfaces: the mold interface, the utility interface, the building interface and the acceptance criteria.
Interfejs formy jest weryfikowany w fabryce podczas próbnego montażu przed wysyłką, w którym montowana jest dostarczona forma i ustawiony jest program parisonu dla celu kontenera. Po przybyciu, ta sama forma jest ponownie montowana, a produkowany jest pierwszy kontener, który potwierdza rozkład grubości ścian i wagę. Interfejs przedsiębiorstwa obejmuje trzy usługi, które maszyna zużywa: wodę chłodzącą pochodzącą z chłodni dostosowanej do beczki i kalibrację zapotrzebowania, powietrze podciśnieniowe o ciśnieniu i przepływie, jakie wymaga krok wstrząsania i wyrzucania, oraz dostawę elektryczną o potencjale i częstotliwości potwierdzonej. Interfejs budowy obejmuje obciążenie podłogi (duże maszyny ABLD są ciężkie i mogą wymagać betonowej stropu), wysokość wolnej przestrzeni dla zamocowania otwartego i wagi przenośnej, a także solidny fundament obowiązkowo mocowany.
Acceptance is defined before shipment so both sides measure the same thing. A typical standard is a continuous trial production run of several hours on the target container, with acceptance against a maximum container-weight deviation, a minimum wall-thickness uniformity, and stable cycle time within a defined band. Training is delivered on site in the local language, covering operation, routine maintenance, mold change and the safety routines required by NR-12 or the local equivalent. Remote monitoring and data access let the Apollo engineering center check PLC data after handover, which shortens any follow-up diagnostic loop.
Utilities sizing guidance
As a planning rule, the chiller cooling capacity should cover the barrel and calibrating loads plus a margin; the compressed-air system should meet the peak demand of simultaneous blow and ejection plus leak-test where fitted; and the cooling-water flow should be sized to the mold and head temperatures. These are stated as ratios and margins rather than fixed numbers because they scale with the model and the resin. Apollo issues a utility requirement sheet per machine so the plant can prepare the connection points before the crate arrives, which is the single biggest accelerator of a smooth startup.
Service and Wsparcie Program
Apollo’s export program is built so that the responsibilities do not end at the port. Before shipment, each machine runs a full factory trial and is open to buyer inspection, so the performance is witnessed while it is still in Zhangjiagang. The random document package includes the Portuguese or Spanish operation manual and the HMI language set matched to the destination, the CE technical file with declaration of conformity, and the HS classification support for the broker. Engineers travel for on-site installation and commissioning, and the same team supports entry into service at the destination.
The Wanplas group shares a service promise that applies to this Apollo shipment: USD 500 free parts per year, free replacement of damaged parts within the warranty, a transportation guarantee, a production-capacity guarantee, and a quality-standard guarantee. A recommended spare-parts kit is offered so the plant can cover the common wear items without waiting on international shipping, and Apollo assists with HS classification and the document set so the customs broker has a clean declaration. Training, remote operation support and open-factory visits are part of the standard relationship — buyers are welcome to audit the plant and witness a sample trial run before committing.
The combination of pre-shipment trial, language-matched documentation, NR-12-ready safety files for Brazil, and the annual free-parts allowance is what turns a complicated cross-border import into a manageable project. The buyer controls the customs broker and the clearing timeline, while Apollo controls the technical evidence and the on-site startup, and the two responsibilities meet at the acceptance run.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which HS code applies to an extrusion blow molding machine imported into South America?
Most extrusion blow molding machines for rubber or plastics are classified under HS 8477.30, the heading that covers blow molding machines for working rubber or plastics. Auxiliary units such as deflashers, leak testers and granulators, as well as molds and die heads, follow their own subheadings. Mercosur members use the NCM extension of this HS base, while Andean Community members use the NANDINA code set built on the same six-digit HS core. The auxiliary items should appear as separate invoice lines so the declaration matches the physical shipment.
Do I need an import license for a new EBM machine versus a used one in Brazil?
In Brazil a new machine often clears without a prior import license when no specific control applies, but used or second-hand machinery normally requires a prior Import License and evidence that no equivalent national product exists. Argentina applies its own prior-declaration and foreign-exchange approval steps. Confirm the exact trigger with the licensed customs broker before shipment, because the rule depends on machine age, power and intended use, and a wrong assumption can delay clearance by weeks.
How does 60Hz versus 50Hz affect extrusion blow molding machine performance?
Synchroniczny główny silnik pracuje z częstotliwością proporcjonalną do częstotliwości, dlatego maszyna projektowana do 50 Hz, połączona z 60 Hz, obraca się około dwudziestu procent szybciej, zwiększając obrót śrub, przepływ ciekłego tworzywa i przepływ wentylatora chłodzącego lub pompy hydraulicznej, podczas gdy maszyna 60 Hz na 50 Hz obraca się około siedemnaście procent wolniej. Poprawę wykonuje się poprzez wybranie odpowiedniego silnika, za pomocą kompensacji przełącznika ekranowanego lub dostosowania stosunków skrętników. Firma Apollo dostosowuje napęd, parametry przełącznika ekranowanego i stosunek skrętnika do sieci docelowej przed wysyłką, dzięki czemu nabywca nie boryka się z nierównowagą częstotliwości na miejscu.
What shipping documents are mandatory for customs clearance in Mercosur countries?
The core set is a commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading or sea waybill, certificate of origin, insurance certificate, machine nameplate and crating photos, technical drawings and manuals, CE technical file with declaration of conformity, warranty and spare-parts list. Wooden packing must carry the ISPM 15 mark from fumigation or heat treatment. Brazil additionally relies on the Siscomex declaration and the correct NCM entry, and all values across the documents must agree to avoid a hold.
Which container type should I choose for an ABLD large machine?
ABLB small and mid models normally load complete inside a 40HQ dry container. ABLD large machines exceed the internal height or door opening of standard boxes, so they ship in open-top containers, on flat racks, or as break-bulk cargo after controlled disassembly. The exact plan is fixed once the overall dimensions and net weight from the machine specification table are matched against the port crane and inland transport limits, which is why those dimensions are published per model.
Is CE certification sufficient for Brazil, or is NR-12 additional compliance required?
CE marks conformity with European directives and is a strong base, but Brazil enforces NR-12 as a domestic machinery safety regulation that adds fixed guards, light curtains, emergency stops, two-hand start where applicable, risk-assessment files and Portuguese labeling and manuals. A machine should satisfy both: CE for the export technical file and NR-12 for the Brazilian workplace safety authority. Both are addressed in the Apollo document package, so the buyer receives a single coordinated set rather than two disconnected files.
How should wooden packing be treated to pass South American quarantine inspection?
Any solid wood packing must be debarked and either heat treated or fumigated to the ISPM 15 standard, then stamped with the IPPC mark showing the treatment code. Plywood, oriented strand board and other processed composites are generally exempt. Keep the treatment certificate with the shipping documents, because ports across South America verify the mark on arrival, and a missing or illegible brand can force re-treatment or rejection at the buyer’s cost.
What electrical supply parameters must I confirm before ordering an Apollo machine?
Confirm the three-phase line voltage, the frequency, the earthing system, the available short-circuit capacity and the control-circuit voltage at the installation site. Brazil commonly uses 220V or 380V at 60Hz, Argentina and Chile use 380V at 50Hz, Peru uses 220V or 380V at 60Hz, and Colombia uses 110 V, 220 V lub 440 V at 60Hz. Apollo builds the main panel, inverter settings and transformer to the confirmed values, and records them on the nameplate so the clearing authority and the local electrician see a consistent declaration.
Podsumowanie
Importing an extrusion blow molding machine into South America succeeds when classification, customs procedure, certification, electrical adaptation and ocean logistics are planned as one connected project rather than as separate purchases. Anchor the declaration on HS 8477.30, match the NCM or NANDINA entry to the destination, prepare the document set — including the ISPM 15 packing mark and the CE technical file — before the vessel sails, choose the Incoterm that keeps you in control of clearance, and build the drive to the local frequency and voltage so the machine runs correctly on day one. For Brazil, close the NR-12 safety file; for the Andean members, align the Spanish documentation and the end-product sanitary chain.
Fabryka Apollo, należąca do Wanplas, wspiera każdy etapowo z serii ABLB, ABLD i Fully Electric, obejmujących pojemności od 200 do 1500 litrów, a z opublikowanymi wymiarami i wagami, które pozwalają przewoźnikom szybko zablokować plan puszek portowych. Ponadto w zestawie są manuale po portugalsku lub hiszpańsku, język HMI oraz pliki bezpieczeństwa dostosowane do standardu NR-12. Zgodność z obietnicami grupy Wanplas, tj. 500 USD na rzecz gratisowych części rocznie, gwarancja w zakresie transportu, gwarancja zasobów produkcyjnych oraz gwarancja standardów jakości, towarzyszy maszynie.
We invite you to send your destination country, target container and resin, and your site electrical parameters. Based on those inputs we will prepare a tailored machine configuration, a complete export document list, and a container plan matched to your port. You are welcome to audit our Zhangjiagang plant and to run a sample trial on your target product before you place the order. Our engineering team will work with your customs broker so that the machine clears efficiently and starts production on schedule.







