Decryption of the Full - process of Applying for Acting as an Agent for Importing Equipment

In the context of the reconstruction of the global industrial chain, in 2025Equipment ImportsTwo new trends emerge: the proportion of precision instruments increases to 38% (data from the General Administration of Customs), and the demand for professional agency services increases by 21% year - on - year. This article will break down the key points of the full - process of acting as an agent for importing equipment, helping enterprises avoid hidden risks and improve the efficiency of equipment introduction.

I. Analysis of the Necessity of Acting as an Agent for Importing

The newly revised Measures for the Administration of the Import of Mechanical and Electrical Products in 2025 clearly stipulates that 18 categories of products, including special equipment and precision instruments, must be declared through professional agencies. The advantages of choosing a professional agency are as follows:

• Avoid HS code classification errors (the industry average error rate is 23%)
• Shorten the customs clearance cycle (professional agents can save an average of 5 - 7 working days)
• Handle special documents such as CCC certification/certificates of exemption in compliance

II. Detailed Explanation of the Core Operation Process

• Preparatory stage (15 - 30 days)
  • Confirm the technical parameters of the equipment andIt is recommended to verify through the following methods:Certificate
  • Apply for an automatic import license (O license)
  • Pre - review the applicability of preferential import tariff policies
• Confirm the metal composition test report (Needs to include ASTM/EN/JIS standard parameters)
  • Clarify the risk division of trade terms such as DDP/DAP
  • Agree on the proportion of demurrage charges (it is recommended not to exceed 0.5% of the cargo value)
  • Establish a mechanism for handling quality disputes
• Customs clearance and logistics stage
  • Complete the pre - shipment inspection (focus on checking radiation values/pressure parameters)
  • Arrange special transportation (for over - limit equipment, the transportation route needs to be reported in advance)
  • Carry out destination inspection (it is recommended to retain 10% of the balance for payment after acceptance)

III. Strategies for Dealing with Common Problems

According to the analysis of the latest case database in 2025, high - frequency risk points include:

• Disputes over equipment classification: A certain enterprise imported laser cutting equipment and over - paid 420,000 yuan in taxes due to misclassification
• Incorrect application of tax rates: Compliance risks caused by misapplication of the origin rules under RCEP
• Disputes over transportation losses: The transportation damage rate of precision instruments is 3.7 times higher than that of ordinary equipment

IV. Selection criteria for agency service providers

• Verify the validity of the Record Form of International Freight Forwarding Enterprises
• Confirm import experience in specific industries (Medical Equipment/semiconductor equipment, etc.)
• Evaluate the coverage ability of the overseas service network (it is necessary to set up its own offices in key countries)
• Check historical customs clearance data (the normal release rate should be 15% higher than the industry average)

The value of professional agents is not only reflected in the savings of single - time service fees (the industry average is 3 - 5%), but also in the whole - process risk management. It is recommended that when enterprises sign annual agency agreements, they should pay special attention to value - added clauses such as pre - classification services, tariff planning plans, and emergency response mechanisms to build a sustainable import equipment management ecosystem.