Export of Container Houses to Europe

When exporting container houses to Europe, it is crucial to focus on product compliance, certification requirements, and market trends, while leveraging policy support and efficient logistics to achieve export goals.

I. Core Certifications and Standard Requirements

The European Union implements strict access regulations for steel-structure buildings, with the EN1090 standard being a key certification for exporting container houses. This standard covers three parts:

• EN1090-1: Specifies the basic requirements for the conformity assessment of structural components, necessitating the establishment of a factory production control (FPC) system. It clarifies core aspects such as the qualifications of welding personnel, verification of material certificates, and the establishment of a welding system.
• EN1090-2: Addresses technical requirements for steel structures, requiring the selection of an execution class (EXC1~4) based on the product's intended use. For example, residential buildings typically fall under EXC2.
• EN1090-3: Pertains to technical requirements for aluminum structures. If the product contains aluminum components, it must also meet these requirements. Enterprises must undergo initial type testing and continuous surveillance assessments, ultimately signing a declaration of conformity and affixing the CE mark to enter the EU market.

II. Market Potential and Demand Characteristics

Europe is one of the core markets for container houses, driven by factors including:

• Environmental Protection and Post-Disaster Reconstruction Needs: EU policy support for low-carbon buildings and the rigid demand for temporary housing after disasters drive the application of modular buildings.
• Consumption Upgrade Trend: Countries like France have a strong demand for small vacation villas. Chinese "prefabricated houses" are favored for their price advantage (e.g., the landed cost of a 70-square-meter house is approximately 200,000 RMB) and rapid deployment capability (assembly completed in 1 day).
• Data Support: In the first half of 2026, China's container exports to Europe reached 8.53 million TEUs, a year-on-year increase of 14.6%, with the proportion of modular building-related products gradually increasing.

III. Policy Support and Customs Clearance Optimization

China Customs assists enterprises in exporting through measures such as "one enterprise, one policy" and "green channels":

• Changshu Customs Case: Provided policy explanations, paperless declaration guidance, and wharf berth coordination to Yashi Modular Building Co., enabling the rapid customs clearance and shipment of 531 modular buildings (13,200 square meters) to the Maldives.
• Data Results: From January to April 2025, Changshu's exports to countries participating in the Belt and Road Initiative increased by 10.8% year-on-year, indicating the continuous release of policy dividends.

IV. Enterprise Practices and Technological Breakthroughs

Leading enterprises enhance competitiveness through full industrial chain layouts:

• Suzhou Shengshan Integration: Established an integrated system covering R&D, design, production, sales, and export. Its products cover infrastructure, emergency response, cultural tourism, and other fields, supporting 48-hour on-site assembly and adapting to global cross-border logistics.
• CIMC Modular Building: Leveraging its accumulated technology in maritime containers, it has implemented over 200 projects worldwide, covering more than 20 countries, validating the advantages of Chinese enterprises in standardized and large-scale production.