What Are the Core Notes for Used Molds Export Customs Declaration?

Market Background and Common Challenges of Used Molds Export Customs Declaration

Since 2026,the home appliance and auto parts manufacturing industries in Southeast Asian countries such as Vietnam,Malaysia and Middle Eastern countries such as the United Arab Emirates have continued to expand,with a significant increase in demand for China’s second-hand molds.In the first half of this year alone,the export volume of used molds through Shanghai Port increased by 18% year on year.Many small and medium-sized manufacturing enterprises have phased out a large number of used molds for equipment upgrading,and hope to revitalize assets through export.However,used molds belong to "special commodities of second-hand equipment",and often get into trouble due to detail negligence in export customs declaration.

Last week,Mr.Wan from an auto parts factory in Shanghai encountered a problem: his 12 sets of used molds exported to Vietnam were requested by Vietnamese customs to supplement materials because the provided "service life certificate" did not have the original manufacturer’s seal,resulting in the goods being detained at the port for 5 days,and the port storage fee alone cost nearly 2000 RMB.Similar cases are not rare: some enterprises had their goods detained because they ignored Malaysia’s requirement of product sample test report produced by the mold; some overpaid 3% tariff due to wrong depreciation rate calculation during tariff assessment in the UAE.

Core Service Value of Zhongshen for Used Molds Export

With over 20 years of deep engagement in foreign trade agency,Zhongshen has established a service system of "preliminary destination country policy research + customized document review + real-time control of customs clearance nodes" targeting the particularity of used molds export.Different from ordinary cargo agency,Zhongshen’s team will first collect information such as the material,service life and intended produced product of customers’ molds,then match the policy requirements of the destination country in a targeted way,helping customers avoid more than 80% of common risks.

Supervisor Xu of Zhongshen mentioned that last year a home appliance enterprise exported used molds to Malaysia.We found in advance that Malaysia requires product sample test report,took the initiative to coordinate with the customer to prepare 3 sets of samples,and connected with the locally recognized SIRIM institution for testing.Finally,the goods cleared customs smoothly,saving 10 days compared with the customer’s own operation.

Disassembly of Core Service Modules for Used Molds Export Customs Declaration

1.Document Preparation and Review: Focus on Special Requirements of Destination Country

Document requirements for used molds are more complex than ordinary new goods,and different countries have obviously different focuses.Supervisor Mei of Zhongshen,who is in charge of document review,will ask customers for materials 10 working days in advance,and compare with the latest requirements of the destination country customs through the internal system.

Take Vietnam as an example,the updated Regulations on the Administration of Second-hand Equipment Import 2026 requires that used molds must provide Service Life Certificate (with original manufacturer seal),Material Test Report (compliant with ISO 9001 standard),photos with 100% matching between mold number and goods nameplate.Supervisor Mei will focus on checking whether the original manufacturer seal on the "Service Life Certificate" is clear.If the seal is blurred,he will coordinate with the customer to supplement the scanned copy; for the material test report,he will connect with qualified domestic third-party institutions (such as Intertek Shanghai) to ensure the report is within the validity period recognized by Vietnamese customs.

2.Destination Country Customs Clearance Adaptation: Deal with Tariffs and Access Barriers

Different countries have great differences in tariff assessment and access barriers for used molds.Manager Lian of Zhongshen will calculate the tariff cost in advance and connect with the local customs clearance agent.

For example,the UAE levies 2%-5% tariff on used molds,but requires a depreciation rate assessment report issued by a third-party institution -- if the depreciation rate exceeds 50%,the tariff can be reduced by 1 percentage point.Manager Lian will first calculate the depreciation rate based on the mold purchase invoice and use records provided by the customer,then connect with SGS Dubai to issue the assessment report,and submit it to the UAE customs 3 working days in advance,avoiding port detention caused by wrong tariff assessment.

For Malaysia’s requirement of "Second-hand Equipment Import Registration Certificate",Manager Lian will submit the application 30 days before the customer ships the goods,follow up the approval progress simultaneously,to ensure all certificates are complete before the goods arrive at the port.

3.Export Tax Refund Connection: Avoid Document Matching Errors

China’s 2026 export tax refund policy requires that used molds export must provide Special VAT Invoice (marked with "used molds" and specific model),export customs declaration,cargo transport documents.As used molds are second-hand equipment,if the "goods name" on the invoice is not marked with the model,or does not match the customs declaration,the tax refund will be rejected.

Ms.Du of Zhongshen is in charge of the tax refund section.She will remind the customer to mark the model before invoicing,and synchronize the customs declaration information at the same time,to ensure that the "goods name","quantity" and "weight" on the invoice are completely consistent with the customs declaration.Last year,a customer did not mark the model on the invoice,Ms.Du found it in advance and coordinated with the customer to reissue the invoice,and the tax refund arrived 7 working days faster than the industry average.

How Does Zhongshen Improve Customs Clearance Efficiency for Used Molds Export

Targeting the pain points of used molds export,Zhongshen has summarized a set of efficiency improvement methods,the core is "advance preparation + dedicated contact + system control":

• One-on-one exclusive consultant: Each customer is equipped with a consultant familiar with the destination country’s policies,who sorts out core information such as mold material,service life and intended produced product in advance to avoid information omission
• Green customs review channel: We have established a special docking mechanism with Shanghai Port Customs.With complete documents,customs clearance time can be compressed to within 2 working days,3 days faster than the ordinary process
• Advance document review: All documents are reviewed 10 working days in advance,if any problem is found,we will coordinate with the customer to supplement in time to avoid delay caused by on-site correction
• Real-time node control: The progress of customs declaration,customs clearance and tax refund is synchronized through the internal system,customers can check the cargo status at any time without repeated inquiries

Core Difference Comparison of Used Molds Export Customs Declaration in Different Countries

Choose Zhongshen’s Customized Agency Service

The key to used molds export customs declaration is "targeted adaptation" -- policy requirements vary greatly among different countries,and it is easy to step into pitfalls if you use the agency method for ordinary goods.Zhongshen can provide customized agency solutions according to customers’ specific conditions such as destination country,mold material and service life: for example,for used auto parts molds exported to Malaysia,we will coordinate with customers in advance to prepare product samples and connect with the local SIRIM institution for testing; for plastic molds exported to the UAE,we will focus on reviewing CE safety certification documents.

If you have demand for used molds export,you can contact Zhongshen’s exclusive consultant.They will first evaluate your mold condition and destination country policy for free,then provide a targeted customs declaration scheme to help you save time and costs.