I. Overview of Import Control Rules
Within China, electromechanical products including used machinery cover machinery, electrical equipment, transport vehicles, electronic products, electric appliances, instruments, metal articles and their spare parts. Import activities are divided into three control categories: prohibited import, restricted import and free import, as stipulated in Article 2 and Article 6 of *Measures for the Administration of Import of Electromechanical Products* (205KB).
Besides, where used machinery to be shipped into China falls within the scope of China Compulsory Certification (CCC), CCC supporting documents shall be presented upon customs entry except for a small number of exemptions. Traders shall prepare copies of certification in advance to avoid clearance delays.
1. Categories of used machinery prohibited from import are defined in Appendix 2 of *List for Inspection, Supervision and Administration of Imported Used Machinery and Electrical Products (2014 Version)*, namely “Management Table 1: Four Categories of Used Machinery Prohibited from Import”. This appendix derives from *Announcement of the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine on Adjusting Inspection, Supervision and Administration for Imported Used Machinery and Electrical Products* (Announcement No.145 of 2014, hereinafter referred to as Announcement No.145). It should be noted that the former *List of Used Machinery and Electrical Products Prohibited from Import* (Announcement No.37 of 2001 by Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation, General Administration of Customs and AQSIQ) has been repealed and replaced by Announcement No.106 of 2018 issued by Ministry of Commerce and General Administration of Customs.
2. Restrictions applicable to used machinery imports are specified in Items 2 to 14 of *Register of Goods Subject to Import License Administration*, which are governed via import licensing system. Relevant provisions include Article 11 of *Measures for the Administration of Import of Mechanical and Electrical Products*, as well as Article 4 and Article 6 of *Measures for the Administration of Import of Key Used Mechanical and Electrical Products*.
3. For used machinery under free import administration, an automatic import license is mandatory if the used electromechanical product is included in the *Catalogue of Goods Subject to Automatic Import License Administration* and is not categorized as priority used electromechanical product. Automatic import licenses are not required for other used electromechanical products outside this catalogue.
II. General Import Procedures for Used Mechanical and Electrical Products
(Note: This content is for regulatory reference only and may not fully match on-site operational workflows.)
1. When submitting approval applications to the Ministry of Commerce, importers shall apply for import licenses for key used electromechanical products listed in the *List of Goods Subject to Import License Administration*, and apply for automatic import licenses for goods covered by the *List of Goods Subject to Automatic Import License Administration*.
2. Pre-shipment Inspection (conducted subject to regulatory requirements):
High-value electromechanical products carrying high risks of personal injury, property loss, public health hazards and environmental damage must undergo pre-shipment inspection before shipment.
The scope of used electromechanical products requiring pre-shipment inspection can be found in detailed clauses of *Measures for the Supervision and Administration of Inspection of Imported Used Electromechanical Products (Order No.171 of AQSIQ)* and Management Table 2 in Appendix 2 of Announcement No.145.
Pre-shipment inspection covers three core items:
a. Preliminary comprehensive assessment focusing on safety, sanitation, health, environmental protection, anti-fraud and energy consumption indicators;
b. Verification of product name, quantity, specifications, condition (new/used) and wear status to ensure consistency with contracts, commercial invoices and other shipping documents;
c. Screening to confirm whether prohibited import articles are contained in the consignment.
Furthermore, in accordance with *Decision on Amending the Measures for the Supervision and Administration of Inspection of Imported Used Products* (Order No.187 of AQSIQ), pre-shipment inspection is no longer limited to institutions designated by AQSIQ since April 1, 2017. Qualified third-party inspection bodies are authorized to perform such inspection services.
3. Customs Clearance after Arrival of Used Electromechanical Products
After arriving at domestic ports, consignments will go through customs inspection and quarantine procedures. Importers must submit a full set of declaration documents as follows:
a. Sales contract, commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading;
b. Pre-shipment inspection and quarantine certificate together with full inspection report, if pre-shipment inspection is required;
c. *Declaration Form for Import of Used Electromechanical Products* in the format of Appendix 4 of Announcement No.145 plus other supporting documents, if pre-shipment inspection is exempted;
d. Even for goods falling under pre-shipment inspection control, if one of four special scenarios applies — re-import after temporary export, return of exported goods, continued domestic use upon expiry or release of customs supervision, re-import after overseas repair — only the *Exemption Statement for Special Cases of Pre-shipment Inspection and Quarantine Certificate for Imported Used Machinery and Electrical Products* (Appendix 5 of Announcement No.145) and other essential documents need to be submitted.
In addition, if the consignment falls under the *List of Used Electromechanical Products Requiring Batch-by-Batch On-site Inspection* specified in *Announcement on Matters Concerning the Administration of Import of Used Electromechanical Products* (excluding equipment for after-sales maintenance by manufacturers), customs will carry out on-site inspection in strict compliance with mandatory national technical standards.
As a general regulatory principle, all imported used machinery shall be subject to on-site inspection by customs at the destination, covering document-consignment consistency check, safety testing, sanitation verification and environmental inspection. This requirement originates from Article 14 and Article 15 of Order No.171 of AQSIQ.