Why was the million-dollar equipment detained at customs?

Customs data from January to May 2025 shows a 12% year-on-year increase in declaration errors for electromechanical product imports, with self-service terminal equipment accounting for 37% of port detention cases due to HS code misclassification. ACross-border E-commercecompanys recent import of intelligent card issuing cabinets incurred 132,000 yuan in VAT back payments and late fees due to incorrect declaration of touch module components. This exposes three core issues:

• Ambiguous equipment function definition (card issuing/payment/data collection)
• Compliance boundaries of componentized declaration
• Implementation differences in the new Electromechanical Product Import Management Measures,

Import RepresentationFour-dimensional value system of services

Professional agency service providers can construct precise declaration solutions for enterprises through a three-dimensional analysis of technical parameters-functional modules-usage scenarios:

• Tariff optimization:Under 2025 provisional tariff rates, theres a 5.8% rate difference between complete terminal equipment (8536.50) and core components (8473.30)
• Certification coordination:
  • Complete machines require3Ccertification (card issuing module + storage device)
  • Split imports require equivalent documentation of component CE certification
• Logistics configuration:Precision equipment transportation must comply with IEC 60721-3-5 standard
• Capital efficiency:Pre-classification service reduces customs clearance time by 30%

Practical analysis of typical service scenarios

A bank purchasing German-made self-service card issuers encountered declaration difficulties:

• Equipment composition: Metal cabinet (40kg) + touch screen (15.6-inch) + IC card reader/writer
• Contention point: Whether the special financial equipment duty-free clause applies
• Solution:
  • Split declaration of metal frame (7326.90) and core module (8473.30)
  • Provision of bank procurement contracts as usage proof
  • Application for advance classification ruling (No. 47 of 2025)

Ultimately achieved reduction of comprehensive tax rate from 14.3% to 8.7%, saving 230,000 yuan in tariff costs.

Five golden standards for selecting agency services

Enterprises are advised to evaluate service providers professionalism from these dimensions:

• Case database:Request clearance records for similar equipment in past three years
• Technical interpretation capability:
  • Ability to accurately translate equipment technical manuals
  • Whether electromechanical product engineers are available
• Emergency response mechanism:Commitment to abnormal inspection handling time
• Compliance audit support:Provision of complete customs clearance documentation chain
• Customs system integration:Support for single window data direct connection

2025 policy alerts and responses

Special attention required for impacts of two new regulations:

• Electromechanical Product Cybersecurity Review Measures requiring provision of equipment data encryption solutions
• Customs General Administration Announcement No. 178 strengthening dutiable value determination for embedded software

Enterprises are advised to prepare in advance: equipment source code descriptions, software copyright registration certificates, third-party security test reports, and other documents to avoid customs delays due to incomplete technical documentation.