Imported Special Equipment: Customs Rules, Risks & Safety

Special equipment,a term that may be unfamiliar to many,is in fact closely related to our daily lives.This article will provide a detailed introduction to the definition,characteristics,hazards,and customs supervision requirements of special equipment,helping everyone understand what exactly makes special equipment so "special."

I.Special Products

Definition and Scope

The Special Equipment Safety Law of the Peoples Republic of China stipulates that special equipment refers to equipment that poses significant risks to personal and property safety,including:

(1) Boilers

(2) Pressure vessels (including gas cylinders)

(3) Pressure pipelines

(4) Elevators

(5) Lifting machinery

(6) Passenger ropeways

(7) Large amusement facilities

(8) Special motor vehicles for use in designated areas (factories or sites)

In addition,other equipment specified by laws and administrative regulations to be governed by the Special Equipment Safety Law also falls under the category of special equipment.

Application Scenarios

Special equipment is widely used in various high-temperature,high-pressure,and other environments,and its operation may involve risks such as combustion,explosion,falling,and entanglement.Although seemingly "special," they are actually prevalent in daily life,such as:

(1) Home heating: Boilers used for heating

(2) Transportation: Essential elevators

(3) Tourism and leisure: Ropeways commonly used for mountain climbing and large amusement facilities

II.Special Hazards

The most significant difference between special equipment and general products lies in their high level of danger.Improper operations during production,use,or maintenance may lead to severe property damage and significant casualties.

Safety Hazards

In recent years,customs authorities have repeatedly discovered imported equipment containing pressure vessels without Chinese manufacturing permits or even prohibited used pressure vessels.If these unqualified imported special equipment enter the domestic market,they may pose safety hazards and cause personal and property losses.For example:

(1) Imported used forklifts: Unable to provide type test certification documents,posing operational and safety risks

(2) Pressure vessels: Unlicensed pressure vessels may cause explosion accidents due to quality issues

Case Analysis

Multiple cases have shown that unqualified special equipment malfunctions during use,leading to severe consequences.For example,an imported used pressure vessel that failed type testing ruptured during operation,causing significant casualties and economic losses.These cases all remind us that the safety of special equipment cannot be overlooked.

III.Specific Regulations

To ensure the safe use of special equipment,customs implements strict supervision on imported special equipment.

Online Verification

During the import declaration process,customs conducts online verification by cross-checking electronic data of the Special Equipment Manufacturing License and Type Testing Certificate withthe electronic data of the cargo customs declaration.This means that imported special equipment must provide relevant manufacturing certification to pass customs smoothly.

Safety Inspection

At the destination inspection stage,customs conducts safety,health,and environmental protection inspections on imported special equipment.For example:

(1) Pressure-bearing Special Equipment: Including boilers,pressure vessels,gas cylinders,safety accessories,pressure pipeline components,etc.must provide manufacturing certification for verification during import declaration.

(2) Electromechanical Special Equipment: Including elevators,lifting machinery,passenger ropeways,large amusement facilities,special motor vehicles for sites (factories) and their components,etc.must provide type testing certification for verification during declaration.

Special Provisions

For some imported pressure piping pipes and pressure piping valves,the 2022 "Notice of the General Office of the Market Supervision Administration on Matters Relating to the Administrative Licensing of Special Equipment" stipulates that the manufacturing units of these products shall obtain the "Special Equipment Production License of the People’s Republic of China" and pass the type test and manufacturing supervision inspection (or import safety performance supervision inspection) in accordance with the relevant safety technical specifications.The transition period for this requirement ends on May 31,2024.

IV.Customs Reminder

Enterprises planning to import pressure pipeline tubes and pressure pipeline valves should promptly understand the manufacturing license status of overseas manufacturers to avoid risks associated with importing unlicensed products.Customs recommends that enterprises thoroughly understand relevant laws,regulations,and technical specifications before importing special equipment to ensure compliance with Chinas safety requirements.

Special equipment,due to its high-risk nature and stringent regulatory requirements,is indeed "special" in its heightened emphasis on safety.Whether in production,importation,or usage,strict compliance with relevant laws and standards is mandatory.