Which of the five key steps in the customs clearance of used machinery imports have you missed?

New Changes in the Import Policy for Used Machinery in 2025

According to Announcement No. 18 of the General Administration of Customs in 2025, special attention should be paid to the following when importing used machinery:If the manufacturing age of the equipment exceeds 8 years, an original factory inspection report is required.Step - by - step service quotation sheetUsed construction machinery listed in the negative list is prohibited from being imported.Step - by - step service quotation sheetThe validity period of the import license for used mechanical and electrical products is shortened to 90 days.After the implementation of the new regulations, enterprises need to start the filing process three months in advance.

Decomposition of the Complete Customs Clearance Process

• Step 1: Confirmation of Equipment Compliance
  • Check the regulatory conditions corresponding to the HS code.
  • Obtain a pre - shipment inspection certificate (inspection abroad is required for key countries).
  • Confirm the completeness of the equipment nameplate information.
• Step 2: Application for Licenses and Certificates
  • Import license for used mechanical and electrical products (validity period: 90 days)
  • Special equipment safety license (pressure vessels/cranes)
  • Automatic import license (O license)
• Step 3: Preparation of Declaration Materials
  • It is recommended to verify through the following methods:Explanation and special terms of the transaction contract
  • Bilingual equipment technical parameter comparison table (Chinese-English)
  • Customs pre - classification proposal
• Step 4: Response to On - site Inspection
  • Prepare a device operation demonstration plan in advance.
  • Carry the original set of technical materials.
  • Arrange professional technicians to be present.
• Step 5: Follow - up Supervision Connection
  • Record the filing of mechanical and electrical products at the local customs.
  • Input into the quality and safety traceability system.
  • Regularly report the usage status of mechanical and electrical equipment.

Risk Warning of Typical Cases

When an enterprise imported a CNC machine tool produced in Germany in 2014:Required to be returned due to failure to obtain the original factory inspection reportStep - by - step service quotation sheetClassification error caused by the failure to update the equipment software versionStep - by - step service quotation sheetThe rusted nameplate is unrecognizable, triggering inspection at the destination. Eventually, the demurrage fee exceeded 120,000 yuan, and the project was postponed for 3 months.

Value embodiment of professional agency services

• Avoid HS code declaration errors (17 new sub - tax numbers for mechanical and electrical products were added in 2025)
• Pre - review technical documents to avoid price - assessment disputes (focus on reviewing equipment refurbishment records)
• Time - efficiency advantage of special channel processing (the average customs clearance time for used mechanical and electrical products is shortened by 40%)

According to customs statistics, in June 20251-, the declaration error rate of used machinery imports increased by 22% year - on - year. Among them70% of the returned documents were due to the expiration of licenses,25% were due to false declaration of equipment technical parameters. It is recommended that enterprises entrust professional agencies for full - process risk management to ensure the timely implementation of import projects.