Why does a 3x price difference exist in import agency services for fire extinguishing equipment?

Fire extinguishing equipmentImport RepresentationPrice structure analysis

2025 fire extinguishingEquipment ImportsAgency service quotations show significant variations. Market sampling reveals: Standard container (40HQ) import agency fees at Chinas major ports range from 8,000-25,000 RMB. Price differences mainly stem from the following cost module combinations:

• Basic service fee
  • Customs declaration document processing: 1,500-3,500 RMB/shipment
  • HS code classification: 800-2,000 RMB/item
  • Tariff guarantee service: 0.3%-0.8% of cargo value
• Special handling fee
  • CCC certification agency: 12,000-35,000 yuan (depending on product category)
  • Dangerous goods transport qualification: 8,000-15,000 yuan/container
  • Emergency customs clearance expedited fee: 200%-300% of normal cost

Five key factors affecting quotation

Under the latest 2025 tariff framework, the import cost fluctuations of fire extinguishing equipment are mainly affected by the following variables:

• Product classification differences
  • Portable fire extinguishers (8424.10) 6% tariff
  • Fixed systems (8424.89) 8% tariff
  • Firefighting vehicles (8705.30) 15% tariff
• Certificate of origin requirements
  • EU CE certification: 18,000-28,000 yuan
  • UL certification (North America): 25,000-40,000 yuan
  • Russian EAC certification: 12,000-18,000 yuan

Professional agency service selection strategy

Based on the latest 2025 General Administration of Customs regulatory requirements, the following decision path is recommended:

• Quotation analysis key points
  • Confirm whether customs valuation response service is included
  • Verify if certification services cover the latest standards (e.g. ISO 11601: 2024)
  • Clarify demurrage calculation method and liability division
• Time Limit
  • Request customs clearance records of similar products in the past three years
  • Verify validity period of dangerous goods transport qualification
  • Confirm free trade agreement preferential tariff application capability

Comparative analysis of practical cases

Case A:A company imported 200 automatic fire extinguishing devices, paid 230,000 yuan for all-inclusive agency service, including:

• CE certification renewal service
• Customs classification dispute response
• Port demurrage insurance

Case B:Same product selected basic service provider paying 98,000 yuan, but lacked:

• Certification renewal service incurred 120,000 yuan in rectification costs
• 36 days of port congestion generated 87,000 yuan in storage fees
• Classification error resulted in 210,000 yuan in back taxes

2025 policy outlook impact

According to General Administration of Customs Announcement No. 78, starting from Q2 2025:

• New fire extinguishing agent component testing requirements (GB 4351-2024)
• Adjusted classification rules for 7 HS codes
• Implementation of electronic label traceability management

It is recommended that importers clearly stipulate in contracts: testing cost responsibility, HS code adjustment response mechanisms, label production standards and other clauses to avoid additional costs caused by policy changes.