Export of Prefabricated Modular Housing

Export of prefabricated modular housing, also known as modular construction or 'prefab housing', is a new construction model that involves breaking down buildings into independent unit modules, prefabricating them in factories, and then assembling them on-site.

I. Export Status Domestically produced 'prefab housing' has seen a continuous increase in recognition in overseas markets due to its advantages such as rapid delivery, environmental protection and energy efficiency, strong adaptability, and controllable quality. Against the backdrop of growing global demand for digital infrastructure construction, export volumes have increased significantly. For example, in the first seven months of this year, the Shatian Customs under the Huangpu Customs supervised the export of 23 batches of modular housing, with a value of 548 million yuan, a year-on-year increase of 7.3 times. The export markets are widely distributed, with notable growth in the ASEAN region: the 'Dongguan-Vietnam' direct shipping route shortens delivery cycles, orders from Indonesia are shipped steadily, and markets in Thailand and Malaysia are actively engaging. At the same time, multiple ports are showing signs of increased export activity. For instance, Guangdong CIMC Construction Manufacturing Co., Ltd.'s products cover more than 20 countries and regions, including the UK and Australia, with a delivery value of 59.772 million yuan in the first half of this year. Key projects include an office building in Cameroon, employee dormitories in Indonesia, oil and gas camps in Australia, and a retirement apartment in the UK.

II. Reasons for Overseas Customers' Choice

1. Price Advantage: Chinese 'prefab housing' has significant price competitiveness, with British merchants stating that 'Chinese prices are unbeatable'.
2. Labor Cost Savings: On-site assembly requires only a small amount of work for completion and acceptance, significantly reducing overseas labor costs.
3. Short Construction Period: Modular construction effectively shortens the construction cycle through factory prefabrication and rapid on-site assembly, reducing losses for investment developers due to construction delays.

III. Development Trends Data from the General Administration of Customs shows that China's prefabricated building exports nearly tripled from 2015 to 2025, with a growth rate of 45% in the first quarter of 2026. Market research institutions predict that the global modular construction market will exceed $142.8 billion by 2030, indicating long-term growth potential in the industry.