I. Case Background: Cross-border Machinery Import During Special Periods

In December 2022, during the peak season of China-Russia trade, the Russian logging machine head project we represented was successfully cleared at the Heihe Port. The uniqueness of this case lies in two aspects: on one hand, it involved the import of heavy forestry machinery, and on the other hand, it coincided with a critical period of pandemic control measures. As a professional with 15 years of experience,Import RepresentationExperts, through precise solution design, we have compressed the originally month-long customs clearance process to just 15 working days.

The felling head, as a core component of forestry machinery, is generally classified under HS Code 8438.60, with an import duty rate of 6% and a VAT rate of 13%. Special attention should be paid to the following when importing such products: 1) obtaining an automatic import license; 2) pre-shipment inspection and quarantine; 3)3CSpecial requirements such as certification exemption applications.

II. Breakdown of the Entire Customs Clearance Process: From Document Preparation to Cargo Release

Preliminary preparation stage (3-5 working days)

Our team first completed the collection and review of key documents:

• RussiaIt is recommended to verify through the following methods:(To be authenticated by the embassy/consulate)
• Pre-shipment inspection certificate (issued by Russian inspection agency)
• Technical Specifications Document (Chinese-Russian Bilingual Version)
• Automatic Import License (O Certificate) application

Special Reminder: The declaration elements for forestry machinery must include key parameters such as power, purpose, and working principle. We have encountered cases where disputes over classification arose due to "unclear description of the working principle."

2. Port clearance phase (15-18 working days)

As a crucial border crossing node between China and Russia, the distinctive features of Heihe Port lie in:

• A dedicated mechanical equipment inspection area is established.
• Customs has a high acceptance rate for Russian-language documents.

In this case, we communicated with the Technical Department of Heihe Customs in advance regarding the product technical standards and prepared detailed3C Certification Exemption Application MaterialsThis is the key to shortening customs clearance time. According to the "Regulations on Compulsory Product Certification," certain industrial machinery and equipment can apply for out-of-catalog confirmation.

3. Key Inspection Points and Response Strategies

Customs inspection primarily focuses on:

1. Does the actual item match the declared specifications (especially the engine power)?

The measures we have taken include: affixing Chinese safety labels overseas in advance, preparing detailed parts lists, and arranging for technicians to assist with on-site inspections. These detailed arrangements have ensured that the inspection process is completed within three working days.

III. MachineryEquipment ImportsThe three key points of

1. The Art of License Management

When applying for an Automatic Import License (O Certificate), please note the following:

• Apply 30 days in advance (Ministry of Commerce Automatic Import License System).

We have established a license expiration early warning mechanism to ensure that customers do not incur late declaration fees due to expired documents.

2. Tax Optimization Plan

Through the analysis of the FTA agreement, we found that:

• The preferential tariffs between China and Russia can be applied cumulatively.

In this case, by reasonably splitting the declaration, approximately 8% of the comprehensive tax burden was saved for the client.

3. Control of logistics processes

For transportation from Russia to Heihe, we recommend:

• Opt for road transport in winter (Heihe-Blagoveshchensk ice road transportation).

We have established partnerships with several professional oversized cargo transportation companies in Heihe to ensure seamless door-to-door service from the port to the factory.

IV. Extended Industry Experience: Common Pitfalls in Machinery Import

Based on our 15 years of agency experience, the most common issues encountered in the import of mechanical equipment include:

We recommend importers to: 1) reserve a customs clearance buffer period of at least 15 days; 2) prepare emergency funds equivalent to 10% of the cargo value; 3) select an agency with a Russian-speaking team.

V. New Opportunities in China-Russia Trade

With the deepening development of the "Belt and Road" initiative, the Heihe Port has been opened in 2023:

• 24-hour appointment customs clearance service

For enterprises planning to import mechanical equipment from Russia, we recommend:

1. Make full use of the special policies at border ports

As a professional agency with branches in Foshan, Shanghai, Dongguan, and other locations, we continuously monitor changes in Sino-Russian trade policies and provide customers with end-to-end services ranging from market research to after-sales maintenance. The success of this harvester head case once again demonstrates the value of entrusting professional tasks to a professional team.