• Standard trade paperwork: Packing list, commercial contract, invoice, and certificate of origin;

• Machinery-specific docs: Equipment manual, plus detailed breakdowns of the machine’s functions and how it operates.

Getting these documents right takes teamwork—seller, buyer, and customs broker all need to coordinate. Once everything’s set, the machinery ships to the designated Chinese port for declaration, tax payment, and customs checks. After clearance is greenlit, the buyer can pick up their goods.

• Business license;

• Customs Registration Certificate for Import/Export Consignors/Consignees;

• Self-Inspection Enterprise Record-Filing Certificate;

• Organization Code Certificate;

• State and local tax registration certificates.

Extra Supporting Documents: Bill of Lading (B/L), insurance policy, and certificate of origin (for items qualifying for preferential tariff rates).

Typically, buyers need to hold import/export operational rights. But if you don’t have these (like if you’re buying machinery as an individual), you can authorize a professional customs broker to manage the entire import process for you—keeping everything compliant and hassle-free.

1. Verify the machinery’s HS code to understand applicable regulatory rules;

2. If your goods need an Automatic Import License, apply for it *before* the shipment reaches the port. For items that qualify for preferential tariffs, remind the client to get the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) Certificate of Origin ahead of time;

3. Once the goods hit the port, exchange the B/L for a delivery order, then schedule inspection and customs declaration;

4. Customs reviews the declared value, sends the tax invoice, and the buyer settles the owed taxes;

5. Wait for a joint inspection by customs and inspection/quarantine agencies. If no issues pop up, customs gives clearance;

6. Book trucking services to deliver the machinery to your specified location.

The steps above work for both large and small machinery—here are some examples:

• Large machinery: Excavators, loaders, construction equipment, medical devices;

• Small machinery: Processing tools, computers, jigs, and other small industrial gear.

Guangzhou Suixin Logistics Co., Ltd. has managed import declarations for over 10,000 machinery units since we opened our doors. We don’t wait for problems—we spot potential hurdles in the import process early, fix them one by one, and dive deep into complex issues to build tailored solutions. By tightening every operational step and knowing customs clearance inside out, we make sure your machinery import is handled accurately and quickly.