Comprehensive guide to importing large equipment: From contract negotiation to equipment delivery

ProfessionalImport RepresentationValue presentation

In the electromechanicalequipment. 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 field, large equipment with a single unit value exceeding $5 million accounts for approximately 37% of total industry transactions (Customs statistics for 2025). The import of such equipment involvesDesign of special transportation plans,Import License for Mechanical and Electrical Productshandling,Handling customs classification disputesprofessional processes, and selecting professional agency services can reduce hidden costs by 15-20%.

Core operational process breakdown

I. Preliminary Preparation Phase (takes 15-30 working days)

• Equipment technical parameter confirmation
  • Obtain equipment manuals and technical drawings
  • Anticipate customs classification disputes (e.g., whether classified as used machinery)
• Preparation of qualification documents
  • Automatic Import License (O Certificate) application
  • 3CCertification exemption documents (if applicable)

II. Key Points of Customs Clearance Practice

• Declaration element management
  • Accurate declaration of equipment functional parameters
  • 2025 new requirement: Energy efficiency grade labeling
• Tax optimization solution
  • Utilize free trade agreement tariff rates (such as under RCEP)
  • Application for staged payment of import VAT

III. Transportation and insurance solution

• Special transport vehicle selection
  • Oversized equipment road transport permit application
  • Deck cargoMaritime TransportationSecuring solution design
• Insurance clause optimization
  • Loading/unloading process risk coverage (New insurance product for 2025)
  • Exchange rate fluctuation loss compensation clause

IV. Risk prevention and control strategies

• Technical trade barrier response
  • Compliance verification for the EUs new Machinery Directive
  • North American energy efficiency label certification
• : Agree on a solution to expense disputes with a third - party audit institution
  • Application for customs classification advance rulings
  • Transportation delay liability determination process

Analysis of Typical Cases

Case 1:A semiconductor company imported a lithography machine (goods value $28 million) and resolved HS code disputes through pre-classification rulings, saving $430,000 in tariff expenses.

Case 2:A wind power equipment import project incurred port demurrage due to transportation plan design errors, resulting in additional costs accounting for 7.2% of the goods value.

Service selection criteria recommendations

• Review the agent companys similar project cases in the past three years
• Confirm whether they possess special equipment transportation qualifications
• Verify the professional certifications of the customs team (such as customs broker qualifications)