Can Container Houses Be Exported?
Container houses can be exported. The following provides a detailed explanation from four aspects: export status, export advantages, export requirements, and export cases.
Export Status: According to public information from the General Administration of Customs, in the first half of 2026, the total export value of prefabricated buildings under HS code 9406 in China reached $2.79 billion, a year-on-year increase of 45%. Steel-structured modular houses were the main export category, and overseas market demand maintained rapid growth. From the order structure of leading manufacturers, products with multiple reuse capabilities, cross-border export qualifications, and low-carbon attributes accounted for more than 60% of orders, gradually becoming the mainstream procurement direction in the industry. In the first four months at the Shenzhen port, the value of "mobile houses" shipped out by enterprises across the country reached 1.68 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 19.6%, with destinations in more than 150 countries and regions.
Export Advantages: Container houses are prefabricated in factories and assembled on-site, shortening the construction period by more than 60% compared to traditional construction methods. This significantly saves labor and material costs and reduces the consumption of basic building materials. Moreover, they have the advantages of energy efficiency, environmental protection, and low cost, meeting the international market's demand for green buildings.
Export Requirements: Exported products need to have international certifications such as CE and ISO, pass fire resistance tests like ASTM E119 and SGS A1-level fire detection, and meet local building codes and safety standards. Manufacturers also need to have comprehensive export compliance service capabilities, including customs declaration, certification, and overseas installation and commissioning.
Export Cases: CIMC Modular Building Systems has completed more than 200 projects worldwide, covering more than 20 countries and regions. Suzhou Zhongnan Steel Structure Co., Ltd. has participated in international benchmark projects such as the Qatar World Cup Fan Village and the Saudi Arabia Wind Power Supporting Camp. A project by a certain enterprise shipping container houses to the Maldives consisted of 57 one- to two-story buildings, with a total of 531 modules and a building area of 13,200 square meters.
