Whether machinery requires statutory inspection depends on HS Code regulatory conditions: Goods subject to statutory inspection (indicated by regulatory condition “B” or inspection/quarantine categories “N/Q/S”) must undergo this process. This includes certain machinery and pressure vessels; most large-scale industrial electromechanical equipment (power >100kW) requires a Customs Clearance Certificate, whereas small household motors generally do not—verify by checking the HS Code first. Exports of used equipment require mandatory CCIC pre-shipment inspection and filing for used electromechanical products; statutory inspection itself is free of charge.
I.
Determining if Statutory Inspection is Required
Check HS Code regulatory conditions: Statutory inspection applies if the regulatory condition is “B” or the inspection/quarantine category is “N” (for imports) or “Q/S” (for exports/food hygiene). Machinery category: Certain machinery, pressure vessels, and pressure piping components (valves, flanges, etc.) are included in the statutory inspection catalog. Large-scale electromechanical equipment (industrial units with power >100kW, production lines, construction machinery) is mostly included in the catalog (requiring a Customs Clearance Certificate for outbound goods). Small household motors generally do not require it—confirm based on the HS Code regulatory conditions prior to shipment (per Douyin/Liton compliance guidelines).
II. Commodity Inspection Process
Declaration (submit contract, factory inspection certificate, etc., to Customs/inspection and quarantine agencies; inspection takes place at the place of production); Inspection (specifications, quantity, safety parameters); Certification (Exit Cargo Clearance Form/inspection certificate); No Fees (Customs guidelines specify that statutory inspections are free of charge); Non-compliance: Goods that have not undergone inspection or failed inspection are prohibited from export (Article 24 of the Regulations for the Implementation of the Law on Import and Export Commodity Inspection)—commodity inspection is a prerequisite for export clearance (goods subject to statutory inspection cannot clear customs without a clearance form).
III.
Special Requirements for Used Equipment
Export of Used Electromechanical Products: Requires “Record-filing for Export of Used Electromechanical Products,” registration with the Ministry of Commerce, and CCIC Pre-shipment Inspection (mandatory for used CNC machines, printing presses, construction machinery, power generation equipment, etc.)—exporting used equipment involves a “dual threshold” of commodity inspection and record-filing, requiring an extra step compared to new equipment.
IV.
2026 New Regulations and Dual-Use Items
General Administration of Customs Announcement No. 77 of 2026 (effective July 5): Declaration elements (intended use, technical parameters, functions) for equipment under HS codes 8454–8465—such as lathes, milling machines, grinding machines, and laser marking, cutting, or welding equipment—must be clear and complete; otherwise, the declaration will be rejected (with a three-month grace period); Dual-Use Item Controls: Items such as CNC machine tools (with more than two axes of simultaneous control) require an export license if listed in the “Dual-Use Items Export Control List”—export declaration requirements for machine tools are becoming stricter in 2026 (rejection for incomplete information and penalties covering the entire supply chain).
V. Notes for Overseas Buyers
Key considerations include: 1. Confirming HS regulatory requirements (statutory inspection codes B, N, Q, or S); 2. Obtaining the Commodity Inspection Clearance Certificate (mandatory for statutory inspection equipment); 3. Filing for used equipment (required for used electromechanical products, plus CCIC inspection); 4. Machine tool declaration details (fully specify intended use, parameters, and functions to avoid declaration rejection); and 5. Dual-use items (determining if CNC machine tools are subject to export controls). In summary: commodity inspections are determined by HS regulatory conditions (items on the statutory inspection list require a clearance certificate, which is issued free of charge); used equipment requires an additional CCIC inspection;
and machine tool declarations must include complete details in accordance with the 2026 regulations to ensure full compliance.
