I. Industry Background and Import Pain Points

As the worlds largest automotive consumer market, China has seenAutomotive partsa continuous growth in import scale in recent years. According to the statistics of the General Administration of Customs, the import value of auto parts exceeded 38 billion US dollars in 2023. Among them, the proportion of high - end accessories,New energyvehicle - specific components and after - sales repair parts has increased significantly. However, the industry faces three core challenges:

1.High supply chain complexity: It involves the management of multiple categories such as original equipment manufacturer (OEM) parts, original accessory manufacturer (OAM) parts, and aftermarket (AM) parts;
2.Balance between timeliness and cost: The demand for accessories has the characteristic of emergency replenishment, and it is necessary to balance transportation timeliness and inventory cost;
3.Compliance risk control: It involves regulatory requirements such as CCC certification, environmental protection standards (such as REACH), and tariff classification (such as HS Code 8708).

II.Import RepresentationDisassembly of the Whole Service Process

1.Order Processing and Optimization of Trade Terms

• Supplier Collaboration: For suppliers in Europe (such as Bosch in Germany), North America (such as Delphi) and Japan and South Korea, establish an EDI data docking system to monitor the production progress in real - time;
• Review of Trade Terms: Optimize the selection of FOB/CIF/DDP terms to avoid hidden costs after arrival at the port (such as the US ISF declaration, EU ENS fees);
• Pre - classification and Compliance Screening: Use the HS CODE pre - classification system to identify sensitive product names (such as asbestos - containing brake pads) and prepare technical documents in advance.

2.Design of International Transportation Solutions

• Selection of transportation methods:
  • Air Transportation: Suitable for high - end electronic components (such as ECU modules) with a unit price > $200 per piece, with a timeliness of 3 - 5 days;
  • Maritime Transportation: For large - quantity general parts, use less - than - container - load (LCL) or full - container - load (FCL) transportation, reducing costs by 40% - 60%;
  • China-Europe Railway Express: Balance timeliness (12 - 18 days) and cost, suitable for market expansion in Russia and Central Asia.
• Risk control: Insure with Institute Cargo Clauses (A) to cover risks such as cargo damage and theft during transportation.

3.Customs Declaration and Fast Clearance

• Declaration Strategy:
  • It is recommended to verify through the following methods:(such as the application of FORM E/F) to achieve zero - tariff import of accessories from ASEAN;
  • Solutions to classification disputes (such as the classification dispute case of the ABS pump);
  • AEO - certified enterprises enjoy conveniences such as reduced inspection rates and release under guarantee.
• Special Supervision: Compliance handling of UN38.3 certification for lithium - battery accessories and dangerous goods packaging certificates (such as shock absorbers containing hydraulic oil).

4.Practice of Intelligent Warehouse Management

• Warehouse Area Planning:
  • Zoning management: Set up a constant - temperature area (rubber parts), an anti - static area (vehicle - mounted sensors), and a special area for high - value products;
  • VMI warehouse: Provide just - in - time (JIT) inventory services for automakers such as Tesla and BYD.
• Digital System:
  • The WMS system realizes batch traceability (to meet the PDI inspection requirements of manufacturers such as Volkswagen and GM);
  • Dynamic inventory warning: Set safety inventory thresholds and automatically trigger replenishment instructions.

5.Last - mile Delivery and Reverse Logistics

• Delivery Network:
  • The 4PL model integrates regional distribution centers (RDCs) to achieve 24 - hour coverage in the Yangtze River Delta/Pearl River Delta;
  • For urgent parts, use urban - distribution drones/new energy trucks to meet the 2 - hour delivery requirement of 4S stores.
• Reverse Service: Return declaration and tax refund processing for defective parts returned to the factory for repair (such as transmission valve bodies).

III. Analysis of Core Service Capabilities in the Industry

1.Full - link resource integration ability

• Green channels for customs clearance at major global ports (such as the special channel for auto parts at Yangshan Port in Shanghai);
• Cooperate with over 100 overseas warehouses, supporting the first - mile delivery of Amazon FBA and one - piece drop - shipping for eBay overseas warehouses.

2.Cost optimization model

• Case: A Japanese company deferred the payment of customs duties for 120 days through bonded area tax - deferred warehousing, increasing the capital utilization rate by 25%;
• Route: Sea transportation from the west coast of North America → Qingdao bonded warehouse → Distribution to 4S stores in North China, with a 18% reduction in comprehensive costs.

3.Digital risk control system

• The blockchain technology enables the traceability of auto parts (such as the anti - counterfeiting verification of Bosch spark plugs);
• AI big data predicts the demand fluctuations of auto parts (such as the winter antifreeze stock - up model).

IV. Industry Trends and Response Strategies

1.The rise of new energy vehicle parts: The import volume of battery modules and charging pile components increases by 35% annually, and dedicated loading and unloading equipment needs to be arranged;
2.Cross-border E-commercePenetration: The number of sellers in the auto parts categories of eBay Motors and Amazon has increased by 200%, and the development of B2B2C overseas warehouse drop - shipping is carried out;
3.Regional supply chain reconstruction: The transfer of auto parts production capacity in Mexico and Vietnam, and the establishment of near - shore procurement channels.

Conclusion

The import agency of auto parts has been upgraded from a single logistics service to a competition of comprehensive supply chain solutions. Professional service providers need to deeply integrate customs, warehousing, and distribution resources, achieve full - process visual management through digital tools, and help customers build a resilient supply chain in the VUCA era. Choosing a partner with industry know - how will be a key decision for enterprises to reduce hidden costs and enhance market competitiveness.