Source steel-frame modular buildings direct from China
Chinese manufacturers produce the majority of the world's steel-frame modular buildings and insulated sandwich panels. They supply construction projects across Europe, the Middle East and Australia. Most importers still buy through intermediaries who add a large markup. Ériu Sourcing buys direct from vetted Chinese manufacturers and gets the full structural documentation pack for your project.
Last reviewed:
- 35–50% Typical saving vs local wholesale
- 18 yrs China factory experience
- 12–20 wks Typical lead time
- €20k–€50k Min. order range
Where modular buildings & sandwich panels is made in China
Henan Province (steel structures) • Guangdong Province (insulated panels)
Henan Province is China's main steel structure manufacturing region. It produces modular building frames, portal frames and prefabricated structures for construction markets worldwide. Guangdong manufacturers lead on PIR, EPS and PUR insulated sandwich panels, used in cold stores, agricultural buildings and site offices shipped all over the world.
See our full China network →Modular Buildings & Sandwich Panels, products we source directly
- Steel-frame modular buildings (site offices, canteens, accommodation)
- PIR and EPS insulated sandwich panels
- PUR cold store panels and walk-in cold rooms
- Prefabricated agricultural and industrial buildings
- Temporary and permanent site accommodation
- Container conversions and modular classrooms
Compliance checked at the factory, not at your port
Ask about compliance documentation →Structural engineering documentation comes with every modular building and sandwich panel order. For Europe, that means CE marking, a Declaration of Performance, EN 14509 for sandwich panels and structural calculation packs. For other markets, we check before you order that the factory can document to the standards your market requires. Documentation is checked at the factory in China before shipment.
Every order includes full compliance documentation. Goods that do not meet the standards for your market stay in China at the factory's cost, you do not pay freight on non-compliant products.
From your brief to goods landed at your door
Send a brief
Product name, quantity, quality grade, and target price. A photo or reference product is helpful. No commitment required to get a quote.
Factory identification
We identify and physically visit shortlisted modular buildings & sandwich panels factories in Henan Province (steel structures). Factory-gate pricing negotiated directly.
Pre-shipment QC
Finished goods inspected at the factory before the container is sealed. Compliance documentation verified. Failed goods stay in China.
Freight to your market
Sea, rail, air or express to your port or door, with the carrier schedule confirmed in your quote. Full documentation for customs clearance provided.
Sourcing modular buildings & sandwich panels from China, the full picture
Demand for modular and prefabricated structures keeps growing: site offices, canteens, agricultural buildings, cold stores and temporary accommodation. In most markets, buyers get these through local suppliers and importers. They pay a large premium over the Chinese factory price for the same specification.
Chinese modular building manufacturers already ship direct to projects in many countries. What usually holds a buyer back is not knowing which factory to trust, or how to read the documentation. Ériu Sourcing handles both. We vet the factory, check the documentation at source and manage the freight to your port.
Compliance and local approval
Each market has its own rules for buildings and construction products. In the EU, sandwich panels and structural products need CE marking under the Construction Products Regulation (CPR). The main standards are EN 14509 for insulated sandwich panels (PIR, EPS, PUR) and structural calculation packs to EN 1993 (Eurocode 3) for steel frames. If your market uses a different structural code, tell us at the brief stage. We confirm whether the factory can produce calculations to it before you commit.
Modular buildings are sold FOB China. Local building approval, planning and structural sign-off are your responsibility in your market. We strongly recommend a review of the factory calculations by a local structural engineer before any permanent structure goes up. We organise the factory documentation so that review runs quickly. Building in Ireland? Our modular homes section covers Irish building regulations.
Shipping economics for modular buildings from China
Steel-frame and sandwich panel systems ship flat-packed, so sea freight works out well. A 40ft container typically carries enough material for a 200–400 m² single-storey modular building. For larger projects, we coordinate several containers to suit your site schedule. We confirm the carrier schedule in the quote.
Import duty and VAT or GST depend on the product code and your market. We quote landed cost for your country, including freight, duty and import tax, before you commit. Our country market pages set out the rules for each market.
Buyers typically save 35–50% versus local modular building suppliers for the same specification. The saving is highest on standard portal-frame buildings and insulated panel systems, where Chinese manufacturers have real scale and raw material cost advantages.
Modular Buildings & Sandwich Panels, sourcing questions answered
Can you source compliant modular buildings from China for my market?
Yes. For Europe, every order comes with CE marking, structural calculation packs, a Declaration of Performance and EN 14509 documentation for sandwich panels. For other markets, we check before you order that the factory can document to the standards your market requires. We recommend a review by a local structural engineer for any permanent structure.
What types of modular buildings can be sourced from China?
Ériu Sourcing sources steel-frame modular site offices, canteens, accommodation units, agricultural buildings, industrial storage buildings, cold store structures and PIR/EPS/PUR sandwich panel systems direct from manufacturers in Henan and Guangdong.
How much can I save sourcing modular buildings from China?
Buyers typically save 35–50% compared with local modular building suppliers for the same specification. The saving is highest on standard portal-frame buildings and insulated panel systems, where Chinese manufacturers have the biggest scale advantage.
What import duty applies to modular buildings from China?
It depends on the product code and your market. Steel structures and sandwich panels can fall under different codes, with different rates. We confirm the code for each item and quote landed cost for your country, including freight, duty and import tax, before you commit. Our country market pages set out the rules for each market.
Can Chinese modular buildings be used as permanent structures?
Often yes, but it depends on your local rules. Modular buildings are sold FOB China, and planning, building approval and structural sign-off are your responsibility in your market. We supply the factory structural documentation so your local engineer can review it. For homes in Ireland, see our modular homes section, which covers Irish building regulations.
What structural documentation is provided with modular buildings from China?
For European orders: CE marking Declaration of Performance, structural calculation packs to EN 1993 (Eurocode 3) for steel frames, EN 14509 documentation for sandwich panels, material certificates and weld inspection reports. For other markets, we agree the documentation pack with you at the brief stage. It is there to support your local engineer and approval process, not to replace them.
What buyers say about sourcing modular buildings & sandwich panels with us
We've been in the modular cabin building business for over 30 years, and were delighted to add Ériu as a supplier 10 years ago. They supply top-quality, certified materials and components. Thanks.
Mark Johnson Modular cabin manufacturer · East Yorkshire, UK Verified client
Get factory-direct modular buildings & sandwich panels pricing for your business
Send a brief, product, quantity, timeline. We come back with factory-level pricing, a supplier shortlist, and a clear plan. No obligation.