Currency Counter Buyer FAQ — 19 Questions Our Engineers Answer Every Day

After a few thousand conversations with buyers across 160+ countries, you start noticing the same questions come up over and over. That's a good thing — it means buyers everywhere face similar decisions when they're shopping for counting equipment. This page collects the 19 questions we answer most often, with the same level of detail we'd give you on a call. If you're evaluating a bill counter purchase, start here. Chances are your question is already answered below.

1. What currencies do your machines support?

Over 100 currencies, and the list keeps growing. USD, EUR, GBP, JPY, KRW, INR, RUB, BRL, MXN, AED, SAR, NGN, KES, ZAR — basically if a central bank prints it, we've probably profiled it. Each currency gets its own detection profile in the firmware: UV fluorescence pattern, magnetic ink regions, IR absorption map, and CIS image templates for every denomination.

Here's the thing, though — single-denomination counters and mixed denomination counters handle currency support differently. On a basic counter like the FT-501 or FT-503, currency compatibility mostly comes down to physical note size and paper quality. UV, MG, and IR detection hardware doesn't really care what currency you're feeding it — the sensors work the same way. On a mixed denomination counter like the FT-900 or FT-910, the CIS imaging system needs a currency-specific database to identify each denomination by sight. If your currency isn't in our library yet, we'll build a custom profile for you. Send us sample notes, our engineers develop the profile, and we load it onto your machine before it ships. No extra charge.

2. What counterfeit detection technologies do you use?

We stack multiple detection methods because no single sensor catches everything. Every FEELTECK machine runs UV + MG at minimum. Step up to mid-range and you get IR added to the mix. Our professional and mixed denomination models layer on CIS (Contact Image Sensor) — basically a high-res camera that images every note and compares it pixel-by-pixel against a genuine template. Even if a counterfeit slips past UV and MG, the IR or CIS will nail it. For the full technical breakdown, check out our Counterfeit Detection Technology Guide.

3. How fast can these things count?

Depends on the model and what mode you're running. All speeds are in notes per minute (npm):

One thing worth knowing: mixed denomination mode always runs slower than pure count mode. The CIS is capturing, processing, and matching a full image for each note — that takes more time than just counting pieces. For most operations, around 1,000 npm is the sweet spot: fast enough to clear a till drawer in under 30 seconds, accurate enough that nobody feels the need to double-check by hand.

4. Can it count mixed denominations?

Yes — if the machine has CIS image sensors. Our mixed denomination counters (FT-900, FT-910, FT-7100) take an unsorted stack of mixed bills and give you the full picture: total piece count, per-denomination breakdown, and grand total value. You don't pre-sort anything. Just dump the stack in the hopper and press start.

Example: you feed in a messy stack with $1s, $5s, $10s, $20s, $50s, and $100s. The machine spits out: "100 pcs — $1: 20, $5: 15, $10: 10, $20: 25, $50: 15, $100: 15 — Total: $3,485." That's the kind of output you get in about 6 seconds for a 100-note stack. Our basic single-denomination counters (FT-501, FT-503, FT-2040) count pieces only — they can't tell a $1 from a $100. For those, you do need to pre-sort your stack by denomination first.

5. Can you customize the look — our logo, our colors, our packaging?

Absolutely. OEM and ODM are a big part of what we do. Here's what you can customize:

• Branding: Your logo on the machine housing (silk-screen or laser engraving), on the startup screen, on the packaging box.
• Color: Want the housing in your brand's specific shade of blue? We'll match it. Minimum order quantities apply for custom colors since we have to prep the line.
• Packaging: Your retail box design, your foam inserts, your manual (we provide the source file, you supply your translation and layout).
• Firmware: Custom startup logo, default language, pre-loaded currency profiles for your market. Custom voice prompts too, if your model supports audio.
• Hardware: Power plug for your region, hopper capacity tweaks, or transport path mods for non-standard note sizes.

The big difference between us and a trading company? We actually build the machines in our own factory, with our own R&D team on the floor. That means when you ask for a customization, the engineer who designs the change is 50 meters from the assembly line that implements it. No subcontracting, no telephone game. For the full story, read our OEM Manufacturing Guide.

6. How much do your machines cost?

Short answer: it depends. Longer answer: since you're buying directly from the factory, you're typically looking at 20–40% less than you'd pay a Western-branded reseller for the same specs. Entry-level UV+MG counters run about $32–$130 FOB. A solid mid-range machine with IR detection lands around $135–$200. A full CIS-based mixed denomination sorter with touchscreen — the kind of machine a bank vault lives on — runs $500–$570 FOB.

Those are ballpark figures. Your actual quote depends on sensor stack, currency profiles, OEM work, packaging, and total order volume. Send us your requirements and we'll get you a detailed quote within 24 hours. No vague ranges, no pressure — just real numbers.

7. Can I get a better price if I order more?

Of course. Volume-based tiered pricing is standard: more units, lower per-unit cost. For regular bulk buyers and long-term distributors, we also do annual contract pricing with locked-in rates and priority production slots. If budget is your main concern, we can work with you to adjust the feature set — dropping IR and running UV+MG only cuts the cost significantly, and for some markets that's plenty of protection. Give us your target budget and we'll spec the best machine that fits.

8. What's your minimum order quantity?

We're pretty flexible, but here's the breakdown:

• Sample orders: 1 unit. Seriously. We'd rather you test the machine before committing to a container load.
• Standard models, no customization: 5–10 units, negotiable depending on the model.
• OEM with custom branding: Usually 50–100 units. Custom colors and non-standard firmware push the minimum higher because setting up the production line takes real work.
• Distributor partnerships: We do annual volume agreements with flexible shipment scheduling. Let's talk numbers.

9. How do you ship, and how long does it take?

Everything ships from our factory in Wenzhou. You've got three options:

• Sea freight (FCL/LCL): Standard for bulk orders. 15–25 days to major ports in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Americas. We handle all export docs — commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading, certificate of origin. You handle customs at your end.
• Air freight: For urgent orders or smaller high-value shipments. 5–8 days door-to-door. Costs more per kilo but can make sense for time-sensitive deliveries.
• Express courier (DHL, FedEx, UPS): For samples and small quantities (1–5 units). 6–7 days to pretty much anywhere.

Production lead time: 7–15 days for standard models, add 5–10 days if you're doing OEM customization. We send tracking info the moment the shipment leaves.

10. How do you calculate shipping costs?

We quote FOB (Free On Board) by default — that's the cost of the goods plus delivery to the departure port in China. You arrange and pay for ocean/air freight, insurance, and import duties from there. Most of our customers prefer this because they can use their own freight forwarder and get better rates.

If you'd rather we handle everything, we can quote CIF (Cost, Insurance, Freight) to your nearest port, or DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) for selected destinations. Shipping cost depends on shipment volume (CBM for sea, chargeable weight for air), your port, and current fuel surcharges. Happy to coordinate with your forwarder or recommend one from our network.

11. How do you pack the machines?

Every machine gets an export-grade individual box with custom-cut high-density foam that cradles it on all six sides. Inside you'll find: the machine, power cord, user manual (English standard, other languages on request), cleaning brush, calibration film (for CIS models), spare fuses, and any optional accessories you ordered. The outer carton is double-wall corrugated cardboard built for international shipping.

For bulk orders, individual boxes are stacked on fumigated wooden pallets, stretch-wrapped, and corner-protected. We've shipped to 160+ countries and our packaging has survived multi-modal logistics on every continent. Transit damage rate: under 0.3%.

12. What certifications do your machines carry?

Every FEELTECK machine ships with these certs — your customs broker will have what they need:

• CE (Conformité Européenne): EU health, safety, and environmental compliance. Required for the European Economic Area.
• FCC (Federal Communications Commission): EMI compliance for the US market.
• RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances): Restricted levels of lead, mercury, cadmium, and other hazardous materials. Required for EU, UK, and many other markets.

Need something extra? SASO for Saudi Arabia, SONCAP for Nigeria, UKCA for post-Brexit UK — we've handled regional certifications for dozens of markets. Mention it in your inquiry and we'll sort out the paperwork.

13. How do you make sure each machine actually works?

Three checkpoints, no exceptions:

1. Incoming QC: Every component — motors, sensors, CIS modules, circuit boards, power supplies — gets inspected against spec sheets on arrival. Anything that fails goes back to the supplier. We're not building machines with questionable parts.
2. In-process QC: During assembly, each sub-assembly (transport mechanism, sensor array, mainboard, display) gets tested independently before it's integrated into the full machine. Critical calibrations — CIS alignment, sensor gain — are done by trained technicians, not an automated jig.
3. 72-hour burn-in: Every completed machine runs continuously for three days, counting test notes while we monitor sensor drift. After burn-in, it's tested with genuine currency for its target market. 100% counting accuracy and correct counterfeit detection required before it goes in a box. No exceptions.

Our defect rate across all models: under 0.5%. For more on keeping your machine running, see our Maintenance & Troubleshooting Guide.

14. How long will the machine last?

With basic maintenance, 5–10 years is typical. The mechanical bits — motor, drive belts, transport gears — are rated for 5–8 million note cycles. The electronics (mainboard, sensors, display) usually outlast the mechanics. Wear parts like rubber feed rollers, friction pads, and belts are designed to be user-replaceable and last 1–4 million notes depending on the part. We include spare part kits so you can swap wear items on schedule instead of waiting for something to fail. Check our maintenance guide for replacement intervals.

15. What's the warranty?

Every machine ships with a standard warranty covering defects in materials and workmanship. Here's what you get:

• Free replacement parts: If a component fails under normal use during the warranty period, we ship the replacement at our cost.
• Free tech support: Our engineers are on email, WhatsApp, and video call to diagnose issues and walk you or your technician through the fix. Most problems get solved same-day.
• Extended warranty: Available for bulk orders and long-term distributor partners. Ask about it when we quote.

Consumable wear parts (rollers, pads, belts) aren't covered unless they fail prematurely due to a manufacturing defect. Exact terms are in the sales contract — no surprises.

16. What should I do if the machine stops working?

Don't panic. Most "breakdowns" are actually maintenance issues you can fix in five minutes. Here's the sequence we recommend:

1. Check the error code on the display and look it up in your manual or our online troubleshooting guide. About 85% of reported issues come down to: clean the sensors, adjust the hopper screw, or run CIS calibration. That's it.
2. Send us a WhatsApp with the error code and a quick video of the problem. Our engineers can diagnose most things remotely. We reply within hours — often minutes.
3. If a hardware component genuinely failed, we ship the replacement part with step-by-step install instructions. Most parts are modular and swappable with basic tools. No soldering, no magic.
4. In the very rare case the machine needs to come back to the factory, we'll arrange return shipping and repair or replace it under warranty.

17. How do I pay?

T/T bank wire is standard for international B2B — it's the most common and cost-effective method. Typical terms: 30% deposit to confirm the order and start production, 70% before shipment. For established customers with a track record, we can discuss more flexible terms.

Sample orders and small quantities: we can run through trade platforms. We don't take credit cards or PayPal for bulk orders — the fees and chargeback risk in B2B just don't make sense. All payments are in USD unless we agree otherwise.

18. Why should I buy from you instead of the other hundred suppliers?

Fair question. Here's what we think sets us apart:

1. We actually design stuff. Multiple patents in currency detection algorithms and transport mechanisms. Our engineering team doesn't copy reference designs — they improve them.
2. 160+ countries, real field feedback. Our machines run daily in humid tropical bank branches, dry desert cash centers, and everything in between. That field experience feeds directly back into our engineering.
3. OEM isn't an afterthought. Unlike large manufacturers with rigid MOQs and "take it or leave it" attitudes, we treat customization as a core service. 50 units with your branding? No problem. Read our OEM manufacturing guide.
4. Certifications you actually need. CE, FCC, RoHS as standard. Regional certs on request. Documentation included with every shipment.
5. Factory-direct pricing. No trading company. No agent. No markup chain. You talk to the people who build the machines, and you pay factory prices.

19. Can I order just one to test?

Please do. We'd much rather you test a sample before committing to a bulk order. Run your actual currency through it. Feel the build quality. Confirm the speed and detection accuracy match what you need. The sample fee is refundable against your first bulk order — so once you move forward, the sample effectively cost you nothing. We ship samples via DHL, FedEx, or UPS, delivery in 6–7 days to most places. Send us your shipping address and the model you want to test.

Want to go deeper? Browse our other guides: How to Choose a Bill Counter • Single vs Multi-Pocket • Detection Technology Deep Dive • Maintenance & Troubleshooting • OEM Manufacturing Guide.