Home»Medical Equipment» Analysis of Eight Hidden Clauses in Medical Equipment Import Agreements
MedicalEquipment ImportsThe regulatory framework and agreement positioning
The "Medical EquipmentThe Revised Version of the Supervision and Administration Regulations has elevated the regulatory classification of imported medical devices to Category III management. As a legal document, the agency import agreement needs to correspondingly coverProduct registration, quality traceability, clinical validationThree additional compliance elements. According to data from the General Administration of Customs, in 2024, 63% of medical equipment import return cases involved clearance obstacles due to incomplete agreement terms.
Hidden risk points in the core terms of the agreement
Professionalforeign tradeWhen drafting an agreement, the agent service provider typically focuses on the following key clauses:
Terms of Admission
Dynamic Update Mechanism for Registration Certificate Validity Period
CE/FDA Certification and Domestic Registration Transitional Provisions
Technical Document Terms
Validity period agreement for biocompatibility reports
Source code disclosure requirements for software-based devices
Quality Guarantee Clause
Cross-border recognition mechanism for sterilization validation data
Temperature Fluctuation Compensation Plan for Cold Chain Transportation
The Golden Three Principles of Risk Avoidance
Under the 2025 revised INCOTERMS? rules, it is recommended to adoptCIP termsSpecial agreement in coordination:
Set upPhased acceptance milestones, linking 30% of the final payment to clinical usage feedback.
SpecifyTechnical Document Delivery Standards, Please provide editable CAD drawings.
EstablishQuality Assurance Deposit SystemSet a warranty deposit of 5%-8% of the equipment value.
Analysis of Typical Dispute Cases
A case involving imported CT equipment at a top-tier hospital revealed that the agreement lacked clarity.Electromagnetic Compatibility Testing Standards, resulting in interference with other equipment in the hospital after installation. Ultimately, it was stipulated in the supplementary agreement that:
The supplier shall bear the costs of the secondary electromagnetic shielding modification.
Extend the warranty period to 36 months.
Establish a regular preventive maintenance mechanism
The four key stages of the operational process.
Pre - review stage: Verify whether the product is listed in the "Special Approval Procedure for Innovative Medical Devices" catalog.
Customs Clearance Phase: Prepare the new version of the "Record Certificate of Consignee for Imported Medical Devices" in advance.