With the acceleration of the reconstruction of the global supply chain, in 2025, the import and export volume of Chinas mechanical and electricalEquipment Importsis expected to exceed 1.2 trillion US dollars. In the latest List of AEO - certified Enterprises announced by the General Administration of Customs, agency companies with exclusive customs clearance qualifications for mechanical and electrical equipment account for only 17% of the total industry. This professional barrier has caused about 43% of importers to encounter customs clearance delays when introducing equipment for the first time, with an average additional cost of 12 - 15%.
Five golden standards for choosing an agency company
Standard 1: Special equipment business license matrix
Check the qualification certificates of the agency company:
Customs AEO Advanced Certification (essential)
Special equipment installation and maintenance license
Response to technical trade measures (EUs new energy efficiency label regulations)
Real - world case: 72 - hour customs clearance for semiconductor equipment imports
Case of a certain wafer factory importing an光刻機(jī) in 2025:
Challenges:
Equipment value: USD 58 million
Temperature control requirements: Constant temperature transportation at ±0.5℃
Solution:
Handle tax - free filing of the Import Catalogue of Major Technical Equipment in advance
Use ATA Carnet to achieve direct pick - up at the port
Achievements: Saving 9 working days compared to the conventional process and avoiding potential port detention losses of USD 1.2 million
Choosing an equipment import agent is not only a service procurement but also a key link in supply chain risk control. A professional agency company should have the ability to systematically integrate customs codes, transportation plans, and tax planning. This is the essential difference between an ordinary freight forwarder and a professional equipment import agent. In 2025, when the global flow of equipment accelerates, establishing a long - term and stable agency cooperation relationship will become an important fulcrum of a companys international competitiveness.