Full Process Analysis and Compliance Essentials of Imported Terrazzo Flooring Agency in Nantong

Demand and Operation Practice of Imported Terrazzo Flooring in Nantong Market

In early spring 2026,three commercial complexes in Nantong Economic and Technological Development Zone launched fine decoration bidding simultaneously,and terrazzo flooring was included in the design specification as the public area flooring solution.This decorative flooring material,formed by mixing marble chips with cement matrix,has seen increasing penetration in high-end hotels and exhibition projects in the Yangtze River Delta year by year,thanks to its customizable aggregate colors and compressive strength up to 40MPa.However,when purchasing finished terrazzo panels from Verona,Italy or Alicante,Spain,there are obvious thresholds in the import process.

When the first batch of samples arrived at Shanghai Port,a decoration company in Nantong managed by Mr.Yan encountered a practical contradiction: the customs held that the declared HS code 68029390 (Other cement-made building bricks and stone blocks) did not match the actual structure of the product,and required re-declaration as 68101990 (Cement-made artificial stone products),with a tax difference of 4 percentage points.What is more tricky is that,according to GB 6566-2024 standard,the commodity inspection department put forward requirements for radionuclide limit testing for natural stone aggregates,which is not covered by the CE certification provided by the foreign manufacturer.While the goods incurred container detention charges at the port,the construction site was urging the material arrival according to the construction schedule,bringing dual pressure of time and compliance cost.

Core Role of Zhongshen in the Import Chain of Terrazzo Flooring

After Zhongshen intervened,we first conducted a reverse document review for this batch of 12 pallets of terrazzo panels.By checking the aggregate proportion (68% by weight of marble chips),binder type (Portland cement),and density parameter (2.35g/cm³) in the original manufacturer’s technical specification,we redefined the product attribute.The key step was that we contacted the Classification Center of Shanghai Customs in advance,submitted an application for classification pre-ruling,and obtained the classification opinion No.2026-00123 before the goods arrived at the port,locking the tax number and regulatory requirements.This pre-compliance confirmation avoids declaration uncertainty and document amendment delay after arrival.

In the radioactive inspection link,the customs brokerage team of Zhongshen retrieved the revised version of *Code for Inspection and Supervision of Imported Building Decoration Materials* issued by the General Administration of Customs in 2025,and clarified that terrazzo products belong to "cement-based composite materials",whose radioactive testing requirements are different from those of natural stone.We coordinated with the laboratory of Nantong Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau to adjust the test items from the internal and external exposure index of natural stone to the specific activity determination of Ra-226,Th-232 and K-40 for cement products.The testing period was shortened from 14 days to 5 days,and the cost was reduced by 60%.This accurate understanding of regulatory details is directly converted into time efficiency benefits for customers.

Key Documents and Risk Points in the Document Pre-audit Stage

Consistency Check of Original Manufacturer’s Technical Documents Between Chinese and English

Core documents for importing terrazzo flooring include: Certificate of Origin (Form E or general certificate of origin),CE certification (EN 13748 standard),ex-factory inspection report,and radioactive self-inspection statement.During pre-audit,Zhongshen found that the product description on the CE certificate provided by the Italian supplier is "Terrazzo tiles for internal use",while the contract and invoice state "Polished terrazzo flooring panels".This wording difference may lead to customs questioning the inconsistency between goods and documents.We required the foreign party to issue a supplementary statement,unify the commercial name of the product,and add the purpose description "suitable for building floor decoration" to eliminate the ambiguity in document review.

Technical Evidence for 3C Non-Catalog Determination

Some terrazzo products,after surface resin soaking treatment,may be misjudged as "artificial stone" and fall into the scope of 3C certification.According to the "Stone Products" section in the *Description and Definition Table of Compulsory Product Certification Catalog (Revised 2024)*,Zhongshen prepared three technical evidence materials: First,the product cross-section structure diagram,proving that the aggregate and cement matrix are physically mixed rather than chemically synthesized; second,the water absorption test report (measured value 6.8%,exceeding the standard for artificial stone); third,the production process description,emphasizing that the pressing molding temperature is lower than 80℃,which does not belong to thermosetting resin process.This set of documents was submitted together with customs declaration,and we obtained the non-catalog confirmation from Shanghai Pudong Airport Customs,eliminating the 3C certification process.

Practical Details and Cost Control in Port Customs Declaration

Terrazzo flooring is usually shipped by 20-foot container,with the value of a single container about 35,000 euros and a weight of 22 tons.When filling in declaration elements,Zhongshen pays special attention to the granularity of the "specification and model" column.For example,the specification "600mm×600mm×20mm" is split into three elements: length,width and thickness for separate declaration,and process parameters such as "surface polishing degree 80 degrees,aggregate particle size 3-5mm" are supplemented.Although this refined declaration increases workload,it conforms to the customs’ compliance orientation of "declaring all that should be declared",and on-site customs officers can check quickly during subsequent inspection,reducing the rate of container unpacking.

In terms of price declaration,we guide customers to provide the cost composition statement of the foreign factory,including aggregate procurement cost,ratio of cement to pigment,and mold amortization cost.When the customs valuation system prompts abnormal price risk parameters,this set of cost details becomes an important basis for negotiation,avoiding the risk of tax assessment based on the price of similar high-end stone.In March 2026,for the Italian terrazzo imported by a project in Haimen District,Nantong,thanks to the provision of detailed aggregate procurement invoices (unit price of Carrara marble chips from Italy),the dutiable value was successfully adjusted from the declared 58 USD/square meter to 52 USD/square meter,saving about 47,000 RMB in tariff and value-added tax.

Sampling Rules and Laboratory Connection in Commodity Inspection

Commodity inspection sampling for terrazzo flooring follows the GB/T 2828.1 counting sampling standard,but on-site customs officers have different judgments on the scope of "destructive testing".The conventional practice of Zhongshen is to communicate the sampling plan with the inspection department in advance when the goods are stored in the dangerous goods warehouse of Yangshan Port.For a batch of 1200 pieces,we take the initiative to suggest sampling 8 pieces as physical performance test samples and 2 pieces as radioactive test samples,and promise to deduct the residual value of samples after destructive testing from the total goods value.This cooperative attitude often obtains efficient response from regulatory authorities.

Radioactive testing is the core technical threshold for importing terrazzo flooring.Zhongshen has established a long-term inspection delivery channel with a laboratory in Rudong County,Nantong City,compressing the testing period from the conventional 7 working days to 3 working days.The key step is that we require the supplier to provide the radioactive background value report of the original ore of the aggregate before shipment abroad.This pre-inspection data forms cross-validation with the actual measurement data after arrival,and once there is a deviation,it can quickly locate whether it is the problem of aggregate batch or pollution in the production process.In January 2026,for a batch of Spanish terrazzo,the pre-inspection data showed that the specific activity of K-40 was close to the limit,so we decisively suggested the customer adjust the aggregate ratio,avoiding the risk of non-compliance after arrival at the port at the ex-factory stage.

Connection Scheme for Warehousing Management and Inland Transportation

Terrazzo flooring is a brittle material,and the control of transportation loss from the port to the Nantong construction site is the last link of the import chain.Zhongshen has a cooperative warehouse in Taicang Port,providing integrated services of devanning,sorting,palletizing and film coating.For projects in Nantong Tongzhou Bay Demonstration Zone,we adopt the "port-to-door" full-truck delivery mode and use air suspension trucks,reducing the transportation damage rate from the industry average of 5% to 1.2%.In the warehouse management system,each pallet of goods is marked with customs declaration number,commodity inspection release number,and project site name,realizing the synchronization of documents and goods and avoiding mixed batch and wrong delivery.

In the warehousing link,we pay special attention to the stacking method of terrazzo panels.The standard practice is: wood pallet as the base,EPE buffer pad between each layer of panels,stacking height not exceeding 1.2 meters,and the top layer covered with moisture-proof film.For goods that need temporary storage,the warehouse temperature is controlled between 5-35℃ to avoid microcracks in the cement matrix caused by freeze-thaw or exposure to the sun.Although this detailed management increases the operating cost by 20 RMB per pallet,it ensures that the unpacking qualification rate is close to 100% when the goods arrive at the Nantong construction site,reducing complaints and claims from the on-site construction party.

Linkage Design of Foreign Exchange Payment and Export Tax Rebate

For foreign exchange payment involved in the import of terrazzo flooring,Zhongshen adopts the mode of "batch payment with corresponding documents".For long-term cooperative Italian suppliers,we assist customers to apply for the pilot program of trade foreign exchange payment facilitation.For the balance payment of less than 50,000 USD per transaction,it can be handled with the contract and invoice,without customs declaration form.This operation advances the payment cycle from 15 days after the goods arrive at the port to 7 days after shipment,improving the enthusiasm of the foreign supplier for shipment.

In terms of export tax rebate,although terrazzo flooring is imported,Zhongshen has designed a reverse operation scheme of "processing with imported materials" for Nantong customers.For customers who have product export plans in the future,we suggest using imported terrazzo for decorative panels of exported furniture,so that the value-added tax paid in the import link can be declared for tax rebate in the export link.In February 2026,a furniture enterprise in Rugao,Nantong adopted this mode,imported 120,000 USD of Italian terrazzo,and when exporting furniture to Europe and the United States later,successfully got a 136,000 RMB VAT refund from the import link,reducing the actual capital cost by 8 percentage points.

Practical Case: Operation Review of Mr.Zhan’s Hotel Project in Nantong Development Zone

After the Spring Festival in 2026,an international brand hotel project in Nantong Development Zone managed by Mr.Zhan urgently needs to import 3600 square meters of terrazzo flooring from Italy,with a contract value of 280,000 euros,and the construction period requires installation to be completed within 45 days.When Zhongshen took over,the foreign party had arranged shipment from Genoa Port on February 28,expected to arrive at Shanghai Port on March 22,but Mr.Zhan had not completed any import qualification filing.

We launched the emergency process: On the first day,we assisted Mr.Zhan to complete the filing change of foreign trade operator,adding the business scope of "building materials import"; on the third day,we submitted the classification pre-ruling application to Shanghai Customs and locked the HS code 68101990; on the seventh day,we held a video conference with the Italian factory to clarify the expression mode of technical parameters on the CE certificate.Before the goods arrived at the port,all document pre-audit was completed,and the draft customs declaration was entered into the system in advance.

On March 22,the day the goods arrived at the port,Zhongshen arranged for the inspection customs officer to inspect the goods on site.Due to the complete declaration elements,only 2 pallets were unpacked to check the specifications,and the goods were released on the same day.After commodity inspection sampling,we directly sent the sample to the laboratory in Rudong County,Nantong City,and obtained the radioactive qualification report on March 27 through the green channel.On March 28,the goods were loaded from the warehouse in Taicang Port,and delivered to the construction site in Nantong Development Zone on March 29.From arrival at the port to signature receipt at the construction site,it took a total of 11 working days,18 days saved compared with conventional operation.Mr.Zhan’s project was able to start construction on schedule on April 15,avoiding a construction period fine of 23,000 RMB per day caused by material delay.

Summary of Professional Agency Value of Zhongshen

Importing terrazzo flooring is not a simple customs declaration and inspection,but a systematic project involving product technical understanding,application of regulatory rules,and supply chain collaboration.The value of Zhongshen is reflected in three levels: First,compliance advance,eliminating risks before arrival through classification pre-ruling,non-catalog determination,and radioactive pre-inspection; second,time compression,compressing the traditional customs clearance cycle of 20-25 days to 10-12 days relying on laboratory green channel,refined declaration,and port-warehouse integration; third,cost optimization,directly reducing the customer’s comprehensive cost by 8-12% through accurate valuation,foreign exchange facilitation,and tax rebate linkage.

In Nantong’s construction market in 2026,the application scenarios of terrazzo flooring have expanded from hotel public areas to underground garages of high-end residential buildings and outdoor plazas of commercial podiums.Zhongshen has established a supplier whitelist for three major origins: Italy,Spain and Turkey,and prepared standardized document templates and testing solutions accordingly.For local construction enterprises,decoration companies and trade agents in Nantong,choosing Zhongshen as the import partner is essentially transforming complex cross-border compliance affairs into predictable,controllable and reviewable standardized service modules,allowing the project team to focus on design and construction itself,rather than spending energy on customs codes and radioactive indicators.

• The radioactive background value of aggregate must be concerned when importing terrazzo flooring.It is recommended to require the supplier to provide the original ore inspection report before shipment
• HS code classification disputes occur frequently.It is recommended to apply for pre-ruling to customs in advance to avoid document amendment after goods arrival
• Three core materials need to be prepared for 3C non-catalog determination: product cross-section structure diagram,water absorption report,and production process description
• The quantity of commodity inspection samples is negotiable.Proactively propose a residual value treatment plan for destructive samples to improve inspection efficiency
• You can apply for the trade facilitation pilot for foreign exchange payment.The balance payment under 50,000 USD can be paid with contract and invoice