I have watched too many exporters price the machine and forget the corridor. That is how a water well rig that looked competitive at FOB Qingdao turns into a margin-killer in Lagos, Jeddah, or Cartagena. This guide explains what actually decides outcome: crate geometry, port dwell risk, certificate timing, axle limits, escort rules, and who owns the customs headache when the rig is not a container-friendly unit.