New trends in the 2025 commercial kitchen equipment import market

Global commercial kitchenEquipment ImportsThe amount is expected to exceed $37 billion in 2025. As the worlds largest catering market, China maintains an annual growth rate of over 12% in the import demand for professional-grade equipment. Three types of products - intelligent cooking systems, modular cooking stations, and energy consumption monitoring ovens - occupy the top three positions in customs import declarations.

Import RepresentationKey control points in the whole process

Professionalforeign tradeAgency services need to control six core aspects:

• Qualification pre-review stage
  • Verify the manufacturers ISO 22000 food safety management system certification
  • Confirm that the equipment voltage parameters comply with the national standard GB 4706.1-2025
• Overseas procurement phase
  • Require suppliers to provide triple certification documents of CE/UL/CCC
  • Sign quality agreements including FMEA failure mode clauses
• Customs clearance phase
  • Accurately declare the HS code 8418 (cooking equipment)
  • Calculate the 13% import VAT rate and tariff preferential agreements

Typical risk cases and response strategies

A chain restaurant group importing $800,000 worth of German modular steam ovens in March 2025 encountered customs clearance delays, resulting in direct losses of $120,000. Accident tracing revealed three fatal errors:

• Documentation omissions:The hygiene certificate did not include material testing data for equipment contact surfaces
• Classification error:Declaring heating elements as ordinary metal components
• Logistics mishandling:Choosing LCL shipping led to equipment moisture damage

Professional agency services resolved the crisis through three measures:

• Completed AEO certification for fast-track clearance within 72 hours
• Utilized prepaid deposit method for advance cargo pickup
• InitiatedMaritime TransportationInsurance claim procedures to recover 65% of losses

Latest compliance requirements quick reference table (2025 edition)

• Electrical safety:New electromagnetic radiation EMC Directive 2025/XX/EU
• Energy efficiency standards:Commercial equipment must comply with ERP Lot 26 Tier2 level
• Material specifications:Chromium migration from food contact surfaces ≤0.05mg/dm2

Three practical cost optimization techniques

• Tariff Planning:Utilize RCEP agreement for origin accumulation calculation of ASEAN components
• Logistics combination:European equipment adoptionChina-Europe Railway Express+Domestic distribution TMS solution
• Fund management:Utilizing customs aggregate taxation policy to reduce working capital occupation

Core value of choosing professional agents

Quality foreign trade agents should provide four value-added services: pre-classification consulting services, AEO certification fast clearance, international arbitration support for quality disputes, and technical supervision during equipment commissioning. A brand agency company established a European equipment bonded distribution center, reducing clients average inventory turnover days from 45 to 22 days and annual warehousing costs by 37%.