Complete Guide to Import Customs Clearance for Refrigeration Equipment: Avoid These 6 Pitfalls to Save 30% Time Costs

Refrigeration equipmentImport ClearanceThe six key stages

According to the latest General Administration of Customs Announcement No. 78 of 2025, industrial refrigerationEquipment ImportsRequired to CompleteFull - process Compliance ManagementThe case of a mechanical and electrical import enterprise suffering a 40-day customs clearance delay due to incorrect commodity classification serves as a warning: mastering the following process nodes can save 20-30% of time costs.

Phase 1: Triple Verification of Qualification Documents

Starting from 2025, the "Import Catalogue of Mechanical and Electrical Products" will introduce new environmental requirements for refrigerants. Enterprises need to prepare:

• Agency export agreement (original)
  • Original factory-issued refrigerant GWP value test report
  • ASME Certification for Pressure Vessels (Applicable to Refrigeration Units)
• Special documents:
  • Proof of Storage Capacity for Frozen Equipment at the Import Port
  • Cold Chain Transportation Temperature Monitoring System Filing Number

Phase Two: The Technical Game of Commodity Classification

A case where an enterprise declared "refrigeration units" classified under 8418.69 resulted in overpayment of 7% tariffs, but after re-submitting evidence, it was successfully reclassified under 8418.59 shows:

• Core judgment criteria:
  • Conversion relationship between compressor power and cooling capacity
  • Does it include a temperature control system module?
  • Degree of unit integration (complete unit/knock-down parts)

Phase 3: Data Support for Customs Valuation

For common royalty issues related to refrigeration equipment, it is recommended to prepare:

• Price Composition Explanation Document:
  • Technical Patent Fee Allocation Calculation Table
  • Payment voucher for overseas installation and debugging fees
• Comparable Price Database:
  • Transaction records of similar equipment from the same brand in the past three years
  • List of Purchase Prices for Major Components

Phase 4: Technical Barriers in Inspection and Quarantine

The new energy efficiency regulations for refrigeration equipment to be implemented in 2025 require:

• Mandatory testing items:
  • The measured COP value shall not be less than 95% of the nominal value.
  • Annual refrigerant leakage rate < 0.5%
• Key points for document verification:
  • Evaporator/Condenser Material Certificate
  • Refrigerant Charging Quantity Declaration Document

Phase 5: Strategies for Handling Local Inspections

For common inspection issues, it is recommended to prepare:

• On-site Inspection Toolkit:
  • Multilingual Operation Manual (including Chinese translation)
  • Real-time Equipment Parameter Verification System
• Emergency Response Plan:
  • Standby power connection device
  • Emergency Liquid Drainage Recovery Equipment

Ongoing regulatory requirements after customs clearance

According to the 2025 Amendment to the "Special Equipment Safety Law":

• Key points for follow-up management:
  • Monthly energy efficiency data reporting for the first year of operation
  • Pressure vessels must undergo mandatory re-inspection every three years.
• Risk early-warning mechanism:
  • Establish a traceability system for core component replacement.
  • Configure the remote monitoring data interface

The practical case of a cold chain logistics enterprise adopting the pre-classification + segmented transportation solution, which reduced customs clearance time to 12 working days, demonstrates that professional agency services can lower compliance costs by 40%. It is recommended that companies initiate customs clearance plan discussions during the equipment procurement phase to avoid fundamental conflicts between technical parameters and customs requirements.