Full Process and Precautions for Import Company Procedures

1.Background and Common Difficulties of Importing German Precision Machine Tools

In 2026,the demand for German precision machine tools in Shanghai’s high-end manufacturing sector increased by 18% year-on-year,but many enterprises encounter practical problems when importing: an auto parts company failed to confirm the validity of the CE certification of the machine tool in advance last year,resulting in a 3-day delay in port customs declaration; another enterprise missed the preferential tax rate due to incomplete tariff quota application materials,and paid nearly 200,000 extra tariffs.These problems are essentially caused by unclear understanding of product-specific compliance requirements in import procedures.

2.Core Role of Zhongshen in Precision Machine Tool Import

Zhongshen has been deeply engaged in import agency for more than 20 years.For equipment such as German precision machine tools,it can intervene in document pre-audit in advance to confirm the compliance of special materials such as CE certification and tariff quota; coordinate the connection between port customs declaration and commodity inspection to avoid link disconnection; it can also assist in handling foreign exchange collection and payment and subsequent equipment commissioning filing,helping enterprises shorten the import cycle by more than 30%.

3.Phased Decomposition of Import Procedures (Take German Precision Machine Tools as Example)

1.Preliminary Document Pre-audit Stage

This is the first step of import and also the most error-prone link.The specific compliance requirements for German precision machine tools include:

• A valid CE certification certificate is required (in 2026,the certificate must be marked with "EU New Machinery Directive 2023/1234")
• If tariff quota is involved (in 2026,some German machine tool tax codes still enjoy quota preferences),the quota certificate must be applied for in advance
• A list of machine tool technical parameters (including accuracy grade,applicable voltage,etc.must be consistent with that provided by the original German manufacturer) is required

Assistance from Zhongshen: Manager Lu will audit all documents before the enterprise signs the purchase contract.Last year,he helped a new energy company confirm that the CE certification of the purchased machine tool complied with the new directive,avoiding subsequent customs clearance delay; he can also assist in preparing quota application materials and improve the approval rate.

2.Port Customs Declaration Stage

Specific requirements to note during customs declaration:

• An Automatic Import License is required (simplified to an electronic license in 2026,which must be applied for in advance)
• Tariff calculation must distinguish between most-favored-nation tariff rate and in-quota tariff rate (Germany enjoys most-favored-nation tariff rate,and the in-quota tariff rate is lower)
• Packing list,bill of lading,and commercial invoice are required (marked with FOB Hamburg price and breakdown of freight and insurance premium)

Assistance from Zhongshen: The customs declaration team led by Mr.Tao will communicate with the port customs in advance about the validity of the electronic license; last year,he helped a manufacturing enterprise solve the problem of inconsistent invoice amount with the customs declaration system,avoiding the risk of cargo detention.

3.Commodity Inspection and Quarantine Stage

Commodity inspection requirements for precision machine tools:

• Some machine tools are exempt from 3C certification,but the 3C exemption certificate must be applied from the commodity inspection bureau in advance
• Safety performance (protective devices,electrical safety) must be tested to comply with Chinese GB standards
• Wooden packaging must be marked with IPPC logo,and heat treatment/fumigation certificate must be provided

Assistance from Zhongshen: The commodity inspection team connected by Mr.Xia will prepare 3C exemption materials in advance and coordinate on-site inspection; last year,for an enterprise whose wooden packaging had no IPPC logo,Zhongshen assisted with supplementary fumigation at the port and solved the cargo detention problem in only 1 day.

4.Subsequent Links (Foreign Exchange Collection and Payment,Exchange Settlement,Equipment Commissioning Filing)

Notes for foreign exchange collection and payment:

• Import declaration form,commercial invoice,and bill of lading must be provided as payment and collection vouchers
• For exchange settlement,real trade background materials must be provided in accordance with 2026 foreign exchange management regulations

Equipment commissioning filing:

• The commissioning itinerary of German engineers must be filed electronically with the local commerce bureau (no paper materials required)

Assistance from Zhongshen: The foreign exchange team led by Manager Fan will assist in completing collection,payment and exchange settlement to ensure timely arrival of funds; it can also handle engineer filing procedures to avoid affecting commissioning progress.

Comparison of Zhongshen’s Assistance in Each Stage of Import Procedures

4.Actual Case: Import Experience of a New Energy Enterprise

At the end of 2025,a new energy enterprise in Shanghai planned to import 2 sets of German five-axis linkage precision machine tools with a limited budget.When the enterprise prepared documents by itself in the early stage,it failed to notice that CE certification needed to comply with the new directive,and the quota application materials were incomplete.After contacting Zhongshen,Manager Lu’s team:

• Audited and found that the CE certification did not comply with the new directive,assisted in contacting the original German manufacturer to update the certificate,and completed it in only 5 days
• Prepared tariff quota application materials,helped the enterprise obtain the approved quota and enjoy the preferential tax rate,saving 186,000 RMB in tariffs
• Coordinated the connection between customs declaration and commodity inspection,completed customs clearance 3 days after the cargo arrived at the port,7 days earlier than expected

Finally,the enterprise successfully completed the import,put the equipment into production in advance,and guaranteed the supply of new energy vehicle parts.

5.Summary: Value of Zhongshen

Import company procedures involve multiple links,and different products have unique compliance requirements.The new regulations in 2026 require a professional team to control compliance even more.With 20 years of experience,Zhongshen can help enterprises sort out special required materials in advance,avoid compliance risks,shorten the import cycle,and allow enterprises to focus on their core business.