What Qualifications Are Required for Importing Hazardous Chemicals in 2026?

2026 Qualifications for Importing Hazardous Chemicals: Full Process Analysis from Pre-examination to Commodity Inspection

In 2026,the demand for imported hazardous chemicals in the electronic manufacturing and biomedicine industries in the Yangtze River Delta region continues to rise.Taking electronic-grade photoresists and biomedical intermediates imported from South Korea and Japan as examples,many enterprises have experienced cargo detention at ports for more than 10 days due to unfamiliarity with the latest qualification requirements.Director Ning,head of the hazardous chemicals import business at Zhongshen,who has handled more than 1,000 batches of such goods,noted: "Importing hazardous chemicals is not just about ’having qualifications to pass’.The 2026 regulatory updates have stricter details requirements,such as adjustments to the acute toxicity classification of MSDS and the ecological toxicity labeling on Chinese labels.A slight oversight will lead to order returns."

1.Document Pre-examination: Avoid Hidden Risks of Qualifications in Advance

The first step of importing hazardous chemicals is document pre-examination.If any item is missed in this step,all subsequent processes will be delayed.The core requirements for hazardous chemicals pre-examination in 2026 focus on the following categories,which will be checked one by one by Director Ning’s team at Zhongshen:

• MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet): Must comply with the 2026 version of GHS (Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals).Focus on checking whether the classifications of acute toxicity,skin corrosion/irritation,environmental hazards,etc.have been updated.Some enterprises directly import goods using the 2025 version of old MSDS,resulting in returns by commodity inspection;
• Hazardous Chemicals Import Registration Certificate: If the goods fall under the 168 categories of hazardous chemicals under key supervision in the List of Hazardous Chemicals (2025 Edition),registration must be completed in advance through the "Hazardous Chemicals Registration Management System".Zhongshen will assist enterprises in checking whether the list has been updated;
• Consignee Filing Certificate: The Shanghai port requires that the consignee of imported hazardous chemicals must complete the "Imported Food and Cosmetics Consignee Filing (hazardous chemicals related category)".Some new enterprises often overlook this filing;
• Certificate of Origin: If tariff reduction under the China-South Korea or China-Japan FTA is involved,a certificate of origin compliant with FTA rules (dual consignee or specific format) must be provided.Zhongshen will confirm the validity of the certificate of origin with the freight forwarder in advance.

[Case] In March 2026,a Shanghai electronics factory planned to import a certain brand of photoresist from South Korea.The self-prepared MSDS still used the 2025 version standard.Director Ning from Zhongshen discovered during the pre-examination that "the acute toxicity classification has not been updated to Category 2",and assisted the factory in contacting the South Korean supplier to supplement the latest MSDS,avoiding the loss of order return after the cargo arrived at the port.

2.Port Customs Declaration: Familiarity with Window Procedures is the Key

In 2026,the inspection rate for hazardous chemicals customs declaration at Shanghai Yangshan Port and Waigaoqiao Port has increased by 15% compared to 2025.The core reason is the addition of the "hazardous chemicals traceability information check" link.The required documents during the customs declaration stage and the assistance provided by Zhongshen are shown in the table below:

General Manager Ji noted: "In 2026,the hazardous chemicals customs declaration window at Yangshan Port only accepts appointments.Making an appointment for inspection 3 days in advance can save 2-3 days compared to enterprises handling it on their own.Previously,an enterprise had its cargo detained at the port for 5 days due to no appointment,resulting in nearly 20,000 yuan in storage fees."

3.Commodity Inspection and Quarantine: Details Determine Customs Clearance Speed

Commodity inspection is the final "barrier" for importing hazardous chemicals.In 2026,a new "ecotoxicity testing" requirement has been added,and some chemical raw materials need to provide third-party test reports.The core requirements during the commodity inspection stage and the assistance provided by Zhongshen are as follows:

• Chinese Label Inspection: Must mark the product name,hazardous chemical category,warning statements,emergency measures,and ecotoxicity information (new in 2026).Ms.Lu’s team will review in advance whether the label complies with GB15258-2026;
• Packaging Performance Inspection: If transporting Category 4 (flammable solids) hazardous chemicals in iron drums,a packaging performance inspection report (valid for 1 year) must be provided;
• Radiation Detection: Some imported chemical raw materials (such as catalysts) need to provide radiation test reports (lower than the national limit of 0.1 Bq/g);
• On-site Inspection: Commodity inspection personnel will conduct sampling tests on hazardous chemical components.Zhongshen will assist in preparing sampling samples and arranging on-site liaison personnel.

[Case] In May 2026,a Shanghai chemical trading company imported a certain brand of dye from Japan.The self-made Chinese label did not mark the information "Ecotoxicity is harmful to aquatic organisms",and was required to rectify by the Shanghai Commodity Inspection Bureau.Ms.Lu’s team assisted in supplementing this information and re-submitting the test.The rectification was completed within 3 days,and the cargo was released smoothly,avoiding fines for detention at the port for more than 7 days (the daily fine is calculated at 0.5% of the cargo value).

Zhongshen: 20 Years of Experience to Reduce Import Risks

Director Ning summarized: "The qualification requirements for importing hazardous chemicals in 2026 are more detailed.Enterprises are prone to pitfalls when handling it on their own - either the MSDS does not comply with the latest GHS,or the Chinese label misses the new information.Zhongshen has been deeply engaged in hazardous chemicals import for more than 20 years,familiar with the latest procedures at Shanghai ports,and can help enterprises:

• Pre-examine documents in advance to avoid order returns after the cargo arrives at the port;
• Make appointments for customs declaration and commodity inspection windows to save 5-7 days of customs clearance time;
• Familiar with the latest regulations (such as the 2026 hazardous chemicals traceability requirements) to avoid compliance risks;
• Assist in applying for FTA tariff reduction to reduce import costs.

As of June 2026,Zhongshen has assisted more than 300 enterprises in completing hazardous chemicals imports.The average customs clearance time is 6 days faster than the industry average,and the zero-fine record has been maintained for more than 18 months.If enterprises have questions about the qualifications for importing hazardous chemicals in 2026,they can consult the professional team.