Full-Process Service Solution for Nantong High-Power Battery Export Agency

Market Status and Challenges of Nantong High-Power Battery Export to Europe in 2026

In 2026,Europe has intensified new energy policies,and the demand for high-power batteries in sectors including energy storage power stations and electric heavy trucks continues to rise.According to data from the European Energy Storage Association,the installed capacity of energy storage increased by 45% year-on-year that year,driving the import volume of high-power batteries up by 32% year-on-year.As one of the core battery industry clusters in China,Nantong has a number of enterprises that have entered the European market,but they often encounter policy barriers and operational pain points in the export process.

I.Core Policy Barriers in the European Market

The revised EU Battery Regulation 2023/2022 will come into full force in 2026,putting forward three mandatory requirements for high-power batteries: first,a carbon footprint declaration verified by a third-party institution (covering the entire chain of raw materials,production and transportation) shall be provided; second,the battery recycling rate shall reach above 50% (2026 standard); third,the packaging shall comply with UN38.3 transportation regulations and be attached with a detailed dangerous goods appraisal report.

II.Common Pain Points for Nantong Enterprises in Export

Mr.Meng from a Nantong energy storage battery enterprise reported that when exporting to Europe in 2025,the goods were detained at the Port of Rotterdam for 12 days because the carbon footprint declaration failed to pass the verification of an EU-recognized institution.Ms.Si from another electric vehicle battery enterprise said that when handling tax refund independently,the declaration was rejected 3 times due to inconsistent product name descriptions on the customs declaration form and VAT invoice,extending the processing cycle to 22 days.In addition,the inspection rate of battery goods by European customs has increased from 12% in 2024 to 18% in 2026,and some enterprises are required to rectify due to missing packaging labels,delaying delivery time.

Core Value of Zhongshen Export Agency Services

Zhongshen has been engaged in foreign trade agency for more than 20 years.In view of the policy characteristics of Nantong high-power battery export to Europe,it has formed the core service logic of "preliminary policy docking + customized process management and control".Different from the general agency model,Zhongshen will intervene in the battery certification and document preparation links of enterprises 30 days in advance to ensure all materials meet the latest EU regulatory requirements,and at the same time coordinate with customs resources of ports such as Shanghai and Ningbo to optimize the customs clearance process.

Service Module Breakdown: Customized Responses to European Policies

1.Document Preparation: Pre-compliance Review

The key points of European customs’ review of battery documents include UN38.3 test report,CE certification (including carbon footprint declaration),and Generalized System of Preferences Certificate of Origin FORM A.The carbon footprint declaration shall be issued by EU-recognized institutions such as SGS and TÜV.Some Nantong enterprises lack docking experience,so they often encounter the problem of incomplete declaration scope (not covering the transportation link).

Zhongshen’s response solutions: First,establish a direct connection channel with EU-recognized institutions,pre-review the enterprise’s carbon footprint data in advance,and supplement the carbon emission accounting for the transportation link; second,handle the Generalized System of Preferences Certificate of Origin simultaneously,and declare in advance through the electronic port system to avoid delays caused by on-site submission; third,make a "document checklist" covering 12 core materials to ensure no omission.

2.Customs Clearance Agency: Pre-inspection + Customized Packaging

In 2026,the inspection focus of European customs on high-power batteries has shifted to packaging compliance.UN38.3 stipulates that batteries shall be packed in special anti-impact and anti-short-circuit packaging,and the outer carton shall be marked with "lithium battery","UN3480" and other marks.Some enterprises use general carton packaging,resulting in a 25% detention rate during inspection.

Zhongshen’s response solutions: First,provide customized packaging solutions,adopt EU-standard anti-static foam + reinforced cartons,and attach a transportation appraisal report; second,submit customs clearance materials 24 hours before the arrival of goods through the "advance declaration" channel of Shanghai Customs to complete pre-inspection; third,arrange special personnel to follow up the customs inspection process,and feed back the rectification plan within 1 hour if there is a problem.We once handled a case of a Nantong enterprise with missing packaging labels,and completed rectification and customs clearance in only 3 days,7 days shorter than independent operation.

3.Tax Refund Processing: Synchronized Documents + Fast Declaration

The export tax rebate rate for Nantong high-power batteries is 13% (2026 policy),but 6 documents including customs declaration form,VAT invoice,logistics bill of lading and foreign exchange receipt certificate are required.Some enterprises’ declarations are rejected because the product name on the invoice is inconsistent with that on the customs declaration form (for example,"energy storage battery" is written as "lithium battery").

Zhongshen’s response solutions: First,check the product name and specification on the invoice and customs declaration form simultaneously at the document preparation stage to ensure complete consistency; second,submit the tax refund declaration within 1 working day after the goods are cleared,and realize automatic data matching through the "single window" system; third,connect with the "green channel" of Nantong Taxation Bureau to give priority to the review of high-power battery export enterprises,shortening the tax refund receipt cycle from an average of 15 days to 8 days.The Nantong battery enterprise where General Manager Su works exported through Zhongshen’s agency in the first half of 2026,and the tax refund was received 6 days faster,which revitalized the working capital.

Service Effect: Actual Data Comparison of Efficiency Improvement

Customized Services: Meeting the Needs of Different Enterprises

For Nantong high-power battery enterprises with different product types (for energy storage,electric heavy trucks,industrial standby power) and target markets (Europe,Southeast Asia,North America),Zhongshen provides customized agency services,with core measures including:

• Connect with certification institutions of the target country 30 days in advance,for example,PSE certification is required for the Southeast Asian market,and UL certification is required for the North American market
• Customize transportation plans according to the weight and volume of goods,choose FCL or LCL sea transportation,reducing logistics costs by 10%-15%
• Provide foreign exchange collection,payment and settlement services,connect with the bank’s priority channel,and the foreign exchange settlement speed is 2 days faster than independent handling
• Push monthly briefing on target country policy updates,and have issued 3 early warnings on EU battery regulation adjustments and 2 early warnings on Southeast Asian tariff changes in 2026

Supervisor Yan from Zhongshen stated that when a Nantong energy storage battery enterprise first exported to Europe in 2026,due to lack of experience in carbon footprint accounting,Zhongshen arranged special personnel to assist it in sorting out the raw material supply chain,connected with SGS to complete the carbon footprint verification,and finally passed customs clearance smoothly.The first batch of goods arrived at the Port of Hamburg,Germany 4 days ahead of schedule.

Conclusion

In 2026,opportunities and challenges coexist in the Nantong high-power battery export market.Policy compliance,customs clearance efficiency and tax refund speed are the keys for enterprises to seize the market.With more than 20 years of industry experience,Zhongshen can provide full-process customized agency services from documents to tax refund according to the product characteristics and target markets of different enterprises,helping enterprises avoid policy barriers and improve export efficiency.If you are a Nantong high-power battery enterprise,you can contact Zhongshen to consult specific service plans,and we will provide you with one-on-one policy interpretation and process optimization suggestions.