Import RepresentationTriple certification system for qualifications

Per latest 2025 Customs revisions to ,import and exportGoods Consignee/Shipper Record Management Measures, professionalEquipment Importsagents must simultaneously possessbasic qualifications, industry licenses, and equipment-specific filings—three certification systems. Missing any will result in port detention with daily 3‰ late declaration fees.

Basic Qualification Thresholds

• Import and export operation rights: Must provide business license issued by market regulators (covering import/export operations)
• Industry certification: AEO-certified enterprises enjoy expedited clearance
• SAFE registration: Must possess cross-border payment/receipt qualification code
• VAT General Taxpayer Qualification: Essential document for equipment import tax refunds

Equipment import special requirements

• Special Equipment: Must obtain special equipment manufacturing license (TS certification) and safety performance commitment
• Medical Equipment: Must cooperate with the importing company to process the Medical Device Registration Certificate and business filing certificate
• Second - hand equipment: From 2025, pre-shipment inspection and quarantine certificates will be mandatory (new X-ray machine testing module added)

2025 policy outlook

• Customs will establish an equipment parameter database, requiring agents to upload 3D structural drawings of equipment
• The validity period of import licenses has been shortened from 6 months to 3 months
• Used mechanical and electrical products imports require carbon emission assessment reports

Four-step qualification verification method

• Step 1: Verification of original documents
  • Check consistency between customs registration number and the National Enterprise Credit Information Publicity System
  • Confirm AEO certification status is queryable on the General Administration of Customs official website
• Step 2: Cross-verification of industry licenses
  • Medical device agents must verify NMPAs third-party platform filing for medical device online trading services
• Step 3: Random inspection of special equipment filings
  • Randomly select 3 historical import documents for reverse tracing of filing procedures
• Step 4: Risk deposit review
  • Verify whether the agent has established emergency deposits of no less than 15% of the contract amount

Common misconceptions

• Misconception 1: All-inclusive service equals complete qualifications (actual situations may involve borrowed qualifications)
• Misconception 2: Single window filing can replace special permits (mechanical and electrical equipment still requires separate filing)
• Misconception 3:3CCertification must be applied for by the equipment manufacturer (not by agents)

A precision instrument import case showed: Due to the agents lack of Pre-shipment Inspection Certificate for Used Mechanical and Electrical Products, semiconductor equipment worth 12 million yuan was detained at the port for 27 days, incurring additional costs of 860,000 yuan. This case highlights the importance of qualification review. It is recommended that companies request complete original qualification documents from agents before signing agreements and conduct triple verification through theEnterprise qualification verification systemon the General Administration of Customs official website.