Has your equipment import customs clearance hit these hidden pitfalls?

EquipmentImport ClearanceThe six key links

According to the latest statistics from Chinas General Administration of Customs in 2025, the inspection rate for imported industrial equipment has increased by 12% year-on-year, with classification disputes and documentation flaws accounting for as high as 67%. The value of professional customs clearance agents lies in helping companies accurately control the following aspects:

• Pre - preparation Stage
  • HS code pre-classification confirmation (3 new dedicated equipment codes added in 2025)
  • Verification of import license/CCC certification documents
  • Matching scheme between trade mode and tax planning
• Customs declaration stage
  • Completeness review of declaration elements for mechanical and electrical product imports
  • It is recommended to verify through the following methods:Verification of preferential tariff applicability
  • Technical parameter compliance check (2025 edition Technical Specifications for Imported Mechanical and Electrical Products)

Early warning for three types of high-frequency declaration errors

Based on our experience handling 217 equipment customs clearance cases, common problems in self-declaration by enterprises show obvious patterns:

• Incorrect commodity classification

  A CNC machine import was mistakenly classified as 8458.6100 instead of 8458.6900, resulting in a tariff difference of 87,000 yuan

• Documentary Logic Conflicts

  The declared value on the customs form being 15% lower than the amount on the certificate of origin triggered customs price inquiries

• Technical parameter omission

  Laser cutting equipment failed to declare maximum output power parameters, requiring supplementary testing

Professional agency service selection criteria

By comparing data from 38 customs clearance service providers in the Yangtze River Delta region, high-quality providers have the following characteristics:

• Qualification Verification: Possesses both customs declaration AA certification and mechanical/electrical document review qualifications
• Response time requirements: Provides solutions for difficult problems within 24 hours
• Risk control: Offers pre-classification dispute deposit services
• Data capabilities: Establishes enterprise-specific product databases (including 10 years of historical declaration records)
• Customs coordination: Establishes special communication channels with local customs

2025 customs clearance cost optimization strategies

In response to the new regulations on temporarily imported equipment under Announcement No. 58 of the General Administration of Customs, we recommend that enterprises:

• For temporary import equipment exceeding 6 months, choose the repair items supervision method
• Adopt a batch-by-batch port arrival method for complete sets of equipment to reduce inspection probability
• Use third-party invoices under free trade agreements for price declaration

A certain semiconductorequipment. 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.In the case study, by adjusting the equipment split customs declaration plan, the enterprise saved 23 working days in VAT deduction time and reduced capital occupation by 4.2 million yuan.