Seven Key Steps for Equipment Import Agency: A 2025 Guide to Avoiding Customs Pitfalls

Strategic Preparation Before Importing Equipment

Under the framework of the 2025 revised Mechanical and Electrical Products Import Management Measures,Equipment ImportsEnterprises need to focus onDynamic Adjustment Mechanism for Market Access Negative ListWe recommend initiating the following preparatory work three months in advance:

• Qualification document verification
  • The validity period of the import license has been extended to 180 days (previously 90 days).
  • 3CThe certification scope has been expanded to include the industrial robot category.
• Technical parameter pre-review
  • The energy efficiency rating must comply with the GB 21456-2025 standard.
  • The equipment nameplate must include technical parameters in Chinese.

Core operational process breakdown

According to Announcement No. 38 of the General Administration of Customs in 2025, the equipmentImport RepresentationThe process is optimized into seven standardized steps:

1. Trade Terms Confirmation: Special attention to the new regulations on local inspection under DDP terms.
2. Proforma Invoice Review: The itemized equipment quotation must be precise down to the functional module level.
3. It is recommended to verify through the following methods:Certificate: Update to the List of Equipment Eligible for RCEP Origin Declaration
4. : In view of the shock - proof requirements of precision instruments, a composite packaging solution of air - cushion film + wooden box is recommended to reduce the cargo damage rate during transportation.: Oversized equipment requires prior reporting of the transportation route.
5. Customs declaration operations at ports: The HS code classification error rate must be controlled within 3%.
6. Tax payment: Starting from 2025, applications can be submitted for installment payment of VAT on imported equipment.
7. Energy efficiency test (compare the differences between Japanese JEA and national standards): The inspection rate by the destination customs has been increased to 30%.

Typical Risk Scenario Response

Customs statistics for 2024 show that equipmentImport Clearance68% of failure cases stem from the following issues:

• Package damage: A German precision machine tool was returned due to discrepancies in the declared spindle speed.
• Classification dispute: Functional Module Breakdown Declaration of 3D Printing Equipment Triggers Compliance Investigation
• Document chain breakage: Second-hand equipment lacking complete traceability documents was temporarily detained.

Criteria for selecting agency services

High-quality equipment import agents should possess the following professional competency matrix:

• Policy Response Speed: Synchronize the latest regulatory requirements within 72 hours.
• Emergency handling capacity: Establish emergency customs clearance channels at major ports
• Level of tax planning: The coverage rate of tax reduction and exemption policies that can be pursued by 2025

Forecast of Policy Impact in 2025

According to the upcoming "Regulations on the Quality and Safety Management of Imported Equipment," enterprises need to pay special attention to:

• HS code declaration increasedDeclaration of split functional modulesRequirements
• Used equipment imports requireService Life Verification Report
• Implementation of Cross-Border Equipment Leasing BusinessDeposit system

Practical case analysis

A case study of a semiconductor company importing lithography machines shows that throughPre-classification ruling+Technical parameter pre-reviewThe combined strategy reduced customs clearance time from 45 days to 22 days, saving 1.27 million yuan in demurrage fees. Key operational nodes include:

• Apply for AEO certification 6 months in advance to expedite inspection.
• Adopt a modular declaration approach to reduce the value of individual shipments.
• Enable tax payment guarantee to facilitate equipment advance procurement.