How to choose foreign trade agents for imported equipment? Analysis of three core elements

Special Characteristics of Imported Equipment Determine Agency Selection Direction

Industrialequipment. For example, Indonesia has the SNI certification, Thailand has the TISI certification, and the Philippines has the BPS certification. It is necessary to confirm in advance the equipment voltage (such as 380V/50Hz in Thailand), the compatibility of the CE certification, and the proof of environmentally friendly materials.InvolvesHS Code classification,3CIt is recommended to compare the following transportation methods:,Used Machinery FilingAnd 23 other special regulatory requirements. After the implementation of the new 2025 version of the Mechanical and Electrical Products Import Management Measures, the filing period for pressure vessel equipment imports will be extended to 45 working days, which imposes higher requirements on the contingency planning capabilities of agency companies.

Core Element 1: Industry Access Qualification Review

Qualifiedforeign tradeAgencies must possess the following qualification matrix:

• Basic qualifications
  • Enterprises with AEO advanced certification by the customs
  • Electromechanical productsimport and exportEnterprises need to have legal import and export qualifications, including:
• Special Equipment Qualification
  • Pressure Vessel Import Filing License (TSG 07-2025)
  • Medical EquipmentImport RepresentationBusiness Filing

Core Element 2: Customs Clearance Operational Capability Assessment

Taking CNC machine tool imports as an example, professional agencies should possess the following processing capabilities:

• Pre-classification accuracy rate >98%
• Pre-shipment inspection time for used equipment ≤7 working days
• Special equipment inspection pass rate ≥95%

Starting from 2025,Mechanical and Electrical Products Traceability Management SystemRequires agency companies to establish complete equipment lifecycle records, including 12 core data points such as original factory certificates and technical parameters.

Core Element 3: After-sales Support System Verification

High-quality agencies should provide the following value-added services:

• Domestic technical coordination for equipment installation and debugging
• Import VAT deferral scheme design
• Local customs dispute coordination mechanism

A semiconductor equipment import case showed that professional agenciesPre-classification dispute response planCan reduce customs clearance time by 14 days and lower port detention costs by 27%.

Post-selection Cooperation Process Optimization

It is recommended to adopt the following cooperation steps:

• Phase 1: Equipment technical parameter pre-review (3-5 working days)
• Phase 2: Regulatory document pre-processing (parallel processing)
• Phase 3: Port arrival rapid clearance (72-hour customs clearance guarantee)

In 2025, customs will fully implement theIntelligent Image Review System, requiring agency companies to prepare new declaration materials such as 3D structural drawings of equipment in advance.

Practical Cases of Risk Avoidance

An automotive production line import case showed that incorrect agency selection led to:

• Classification errors causing 300,000 RMB deposit freeze
• Used equipment failing environmental standards and being returned
• Project delays resulting in direct losses of 1.8 million RMB

Professional agencies canDual review mechanismIdentify 92% of compliance risks in advance. It is recommended to establish an agency company capability assessment form for systematic screening.