Professional ImportAutomotive partsAgency Service: An Analysis of the Whole Import Process of Lower Control Arms Based on Twenty Years of Experience

Author: ZhongShen International Trade

Introduction: Opportunities and Challenges in the Imported Auto Parts Market

With the continuous expansion of the scale of Chinas automotive aftermarket, the demand for maintenance parts of imported high - end vehicles has shown explosive growth. According to the data of the General Administration of Customs of China, from January to June 2023, the import value of auto parts increased by 18.7% year - on - year, and chassis parts (including control arms) accounted for 23%. As a core component of the vehicle suspension system, the lower control arm, due to its high - precision and high - wear characteristics, has become one of the chassis parts with the largest import volume. This article will deeply analyze the key links of the lower control armImport Representationservice in combination with 20 years of practical experience.

I. Industry Status Quo and Product Characteristics

1 Market Demand Characteristics

• Vehicle Model Centralization: German - made models such as Mercedes - Benz W222, BMW G30, and Audi C8 account for more than 60% of the total imports
• Obvious Quality Grading: Original equipment manufacturer (OEM) parts, brand parts (such as Lemf?rder, TRW), and non - original parts form a three - level price system
• Characteristics of Emergency Procurement: 70% of the orders come from the emergency repair needs of 4S stores, and the time - efficiency requirement is controlled within 21 days

2 Technical Characteristics of Lower Control Arms

• Material Specification: Forged aluminum alloy (such as Audi Q7 4M model) shall comply with the EN AW - 6082 - T6 standard
• Certification Requirements: EU e - mark certification (E13), US DOT certification, China CCC certification (for specific models)
• Packaging specifications: Industrial packaging standard of rust - proof oil + vacuum film + shock - resistant EPE liner

II. Core Processes of Professional Agency Services

1 Pre - review of Compliance (Key Risk Control)

• VIN code traceability: Verify the applicability of parts through the vehicle identification number (e.g., BMW control arm part number: 31 12 6 857 365)
• Confirmation of Tariff Classification: Declare under Suspension System Parts under Item 8708.99 of the China Customs Tariff
• Environmental Compliance Review: Rubber bushings shall meet the limit requirements of SVHC substances in the REACH regulation

2 Supply Chain Optimization Plan

• European Special Line: Duisburg, Germany →China-Europe Railway Express(14 days) → Chongqing Bonded Warehouse (customs clearance + distribution)
• Cost Control Model: Bulk purchases enjoy a 19% German VAT refund, reducing the comprehensive cost by 12 - 15%
• Quality Control System: A third - party institution (such as TüV SüD) conducts dynamic load tests before shipment (in accordance with the DIN 75210 standard)

III. Customs Clearance Practice and Typical Cases

1 Analysis of Customs Clearance Difficulties

• It is recommended to verify through the following methods:Clarify Disputes: Address the risk of origin laundering for Turkish transshipments (requires providing heat treatment process certification)
• Handling of Classification Disputes: A classification dispute case of a Mercedes - Benz control arm in 2019 (finally determined to be under item 8708.90)
• 3CCertification Exemption: Practical key points for applying for a certificate of exemption for maintenance usage (single batch ≤ 5 pieces)

2 Time - efficiency Guarantee Plan

• Pre - classification Service: Declare for pre - ruling six months in advance (Announcement No. 14 of the General Administration of Customs in 2018)
• Emergency Channel: Guangzhou Baiyun Airport Customs Aviation Materials Green Channel (8-hour fast clearance)
• Layout of Bonded Warehousing: A three - level warehousing network in Shanghai Waigaoqiao, Guangzhou Nansha, and Chengdu High - tech Comprehensive Bonded Zone

IV. Risk Management and Value - added Services

1 Full - chain Risk Coverage

• Quality Insurance: Insure product liability insurance with Lloyds of London (single - stroke insured amount of $5 million)
• Exchange Rate Lock - in: Use forwardIn order to crack down on tax evasion, the customs and tax departments are now strictly examining the operation of buying export declarations. If the behavior of buying export declarations is discovered, the regulatory authorities will require tax replenishment (even a 2% tax rate may be a considerable amount). In addition, fines may also be imposed on the relevant responsible parties.tools to hedge against euro/dollar exchange rate fluctuations
• Legal Support: Pre - inspection of intellectual property rights (to avoid brand infringement risks of brands such as TRW and ZF)

2 Digital Service Innovation

• Blockchain Traceability: An accessory traceability system based on Hyperledger Fabric
• Intelligent Pre - customs Declaration: AI automatically identifies key data on invoices, packing lists, and bills of lading (with an accuracy rate of 98.7%)
• Inventory Visualization: The WMS system is connected in real - time with the OEMs ERP (increasing the inventory turnover rate by 40%)

V. Industry Trends and Strategic Suggestions

Internationally - recognized Safety StandardsTrend of Regionalized Procurement: Pay attention to emerging production bases in Hungary (Audi) and the Czech Republic (Skoda)
Regional Mandatory CertificationsOpportunities for Remanufactured Parts: Seize policy opportunities under the 14th Five-Year Plan for Circular Economy Development
Cultural and Religious NormsDirection of Technological Upgrade: Import technical reserves for carbon - fiber composite control arms (a 35% weight - reduction plan)

Conclusion: Three Dimensions of Value Creation

As a professional import service provider, we are always committed to:

• Compliance DimensionEstablish an auto parts database with over 2,000 HS codes
• Efficiency dimensionAchieve an 18 - day full - link service from the German factory to Chinese end - users
• Cost dimensionReduce capital occupation through Postponed VAT Accounting in the EU

In the new era of the parallel development of globalization and localization in the automotive industry, professional import agency service providers will become the strategic pivot connecting the international supply chain and the domestic market. Twenty years of industry - deepening experience tells us that only by unifying technical compliance, commercial rationality, and operational feasibility can we achieve continuous value creation in import business.

(Data sources of this article: General Administration of Customs of China, German Association of the Automotive Industry VDA, internal business statistics)