Mandatory rule: This inspection must be finished prior to the overseas departure of cargo and cannot be completed afterwards at mainland entry ports. Only high‑risk used electromechanical products specified in Table 2 of the *List of Inspection and Supervision Measures for Imported Used Electromechanical Products* are subject to this inspection. All inspections are carried out against China’s mandatory standards instead of the technical specifications of the country of origin. An inspection pass certificate does not guarantee successful customs clearance in China; cargo will still undergo port inspection and destination inspection after arrival.
1. Notes on the application phase for imported used electromechanical products
1.1 Follow admission sequence strictly and avoid reversed workflow
Check HS code first to confirm the equipment is not on the prohibited import list. If classified as key used electromechanical products, apply for the import licence in advance. The model and serial number printed on the licence must match the physical goods exactly. Booking and shipment must never be arranged before pre‑shipment inspection application. Contracts, INVOICE and packing list shall be clearly marked `USED/SECOND‑HAND` to declare the goods as used equipment.
1.2 Ensure authenticity and completeness of submitted documents
In the application form and equipment list, register model, SN, year of manufacture, place of origin and service hours for each unit one by one. Falsified parameters are prohibited. Any modification, refurbishment or mixed loading of new and second‑hand parts shall not be concealed. For refurbished machines, prepare original manufacturer’s maintenance and refurbishment records for inspection upon request.
1.3 Reserve sufficient lead time for appointment
Allocate 10–15 working days according to inspection location plus extra buffer time for rectification. For destinations in Europe and America, longer turnaround is expected due to inspector travel schedules. Shipment is forbidden before obtaining the passed inspection certificate.
1.4 Territorial restriction for inspection conducted in Hong Kong
Equipment may only be delivered to designated inspection premises in Hong Kong. Once goods enter mainland China, it is impossible to reroute them to Hong Kong for supplementary pre‑shipment inspection.
2. Pre‑treatment checklist before inspection
2.1 Prioritize nameplate handling
Clean nameplates fitted on main units, motors, engines and other critical components to make all characters legible. Grinding, alteration or sticking fake replacement nameplates afterwards are strictly forbidden. If nameplates are heavily corroded and illegible, prepare supporting certificates issued by the original manufacturer. After disassembly, mark all spare parts to link them to the serial number of the main machine.
2.2 Control the actual condition of equipment
Assembled patchwork machines and scrapped units will not be accepted. Core components shall not be replaced privately. The equipment condition at the time of inspection is the final shipment condition; modules and parts cannot be swapped after inspection. Power‑on test is recommended where feasible. If only static inspection can be performed due to practical limits, remarks will be added to the report and the risk of failing destination inspection in China will rise.
2.3 Safety and environmental pre‑treatment
Refit missing guards, self‑locking emergency stop buttons and limit interlock devices. Keep earthing intact and avoid severely damaged or aged cables. Thoroughly drain and clean residual oil, waste liquid, soil and debris inside the machine. Check for controlled hazardous substances such as asbestos and PCB transformers. Undeclared spare parts and solid waste must not be concealed inside containers; solid waste detected will result in direct import prohibition.
2.4 Quarantine treatment for wooden packaging in advance
Apply IPPC fumigation marks on wooden packages before inspection; seal the container only after inspection is fully completed.
3. Core requirements for on‑site overseas inspection
(1) An authorised representative must be present throughout the inspection to assist power‑on test, partial disassembly for internal check and sign the on‑site inspection memo.
(2) Verify goods‑document conformity unit by unit: all nameplate information must be consistent with application form, equipment list, import licence and trade documents. Minor discrepancies in serial number, manufacturing year or origin invalidate the whole set of documents and CCIC certificates cannot be revised within mainland China.
(3) Mechanical safety check: guards, emergency stops, interlocks and limit switches must be complete and functional. Missing parts must be rectified overseas; retrofitting after arrival in China is not permitted.
(4) Electrical safety is assessed under GB/T5226.1‑2019. Earthing protection, enclosure integrity and cable condition are frequent non‑conform items. Voltage rating itself will not lead to rejection, but safety protection must comply with Chinese national standards.
(5) Declare all modifications and component replacements truthfully without concealment. All defects will be recorded in the report. Even with a passed certificate, remarks of defects may still be reviewed by customs later.
(6) Inspectors will issue a non‑conformity list separating rectifiable and non‑rectifiable items. All rectifiable defects must be corrected on‑site overseas. Edited photos for fake rectification are not accepted and re‑inspection may be arranged. Shipment back to China is prohibited if fundamental non‑rectifiable defects exist.
(7) Take multi‑angle photos of complete machines, high‑resolution nameplate shots and before‑after rectification photos at the inspection site for document verification and customs reference.