Used plastic mould

You must confirm the steel grade of the cavity and core (e.g., P20, 718, or S136) as this determines the mould's remaining life. Request the mould dimensions and weight to ensure compatibility with your existing injection molding machines. Additionally, verify the runner type (hot or cold) and the number of cavities to calculate your projected production output.

Ask the supplier for the total shot count the mould has already performed. A high-quality steel mould typically lasts for 300,000 to 1,000,000 shots. You should also request a video of the last production run or a mould trial report to check for flashing, ejector pin marks, or cooling leaks that indicate wear.

Ensure the mould design follows metric or imperial standards based on your local requirements. Verify that the cooling connectors and electrical plugs (for hot runners) are compatible with your facility's standards. For specific industries like medical or food packaging, ensure the mould was previously used with FDA-compliant or medical-grade resins to avoid cross-contamination.

Refurbishing is feasible if the cost of the used mould plus shipping and repair is less than 50-60% of a new mould's price. Focus on moulds where the cavity surfaces are intact, as polishing or re-texturing is affordable, whereas repairing cracked bases or damaged water lines can be prohibitively expensive.

Always insist on a third-party pre-shipment inspection (PSI). The inspector should verify the mould's closing mechanism, check for rust in the cooling channels, and ensure all spare parts (e.g., springs, ejector pins) are included. Using Made-in-China.com's secured payment services can provide an extra layer of transaction security.

Negotiate based on the mould's maintenance history and the availability of technical drawings (CAD/Step files). If drawings are missing, demand a price reduction as you will need to perform reverse engineering. You can also negotiate for the supplier to include a set of wearing parts (O-rings, heaters) at no extra cost.

Used moulds are heavy and prone to oxidation; ensure the supplier applies anti-rust oil and uses vacuum-sealed plastic wrapping before crating in fumigated wooden boxes. For customs, ensure the HS Code (typically 848071) is correct and check if your country imposes environmental or 'waste' import restrictions on second-hand industrial goods.

Prioritize Audited Suppliers on Made-in-China.com who have a proven track record in machinery exports. Use Escrow-based payment terms where a portion of the payment is released only after you receive and verify the loading photos and shipping documents.