Analysis of the whole process of importing fire - fighting equipment agency services: How to achieve a win - win situation of safety and efficiency?

In 2025, the global fire - fighting equipment market size is expected to exceed 42 billion US dollars. As a major importer, China accounts for 27%. As a special commodity, the import business of fire - fighting equipment involves 12 mandatory certifications and 8 regulatory links. Professional agency services have become a necessary option for enterprises to avoid risks.

Industry status and policy trends

Currently, the import of fire - fighting equipment presents three characteristics:Accelerated product iteration(The annual growth rate of new - type environmental - friendly fire extinguishing agents is 18%),Upgraded certification system(The EU EN3 standard was updated in 2025),Compression of customs clearance time(The inspection rate of dangerous goods at ports has been increased to 35%). Especially since January, 2025, the Fire Product Access Management Catalog has added 5 types of controlled products, requiring importers to hold business record-keeping certificates for fire products.

Analysis of key links in the import process

• Qualification pre-review stage
  • Verify the validity of the manufacturers ISO international certification
  • Confirm the UN dangerous goods classification of the product (Class 2.1/Class 2.2)
  • Match the scope of Chinas fire product CCC certification
• Customs declaration stage
  • Accurately classify HS codes (such as 8424.1 000 fire extinguishers)
  • Standardize the declaration of pressure vessel parameters (Special equipment record-keeping is required when the working pressure is ≥ 0.1MPa)
  • Dangerous characteristics classification identification report
• Logistics transportation plan
  • Pressure vesselsMaritime TransportationMust comply with IMDG CODE packaging specifications
  • Aerosol productsAir TransportationImplement IATA special provisions
  • Hierarchical management system for dangerous goods warehouses
• Subsequent compliance management
  • Registration of product flow (Connected to the system of the Ministry of Emergency Management)
  • Annual quality sampling inspection cooperation mechanism
  • Record-keeping of technical parameter changes

Four evaluation dimensions for choosing an agency company

• Industry experience level

  The agency company is required to have more than 5 years of dangerous goods operation records, and the customs clearance success rate of similar products in the past three years must reach over 98%. Pay special attention to whether it has handled import cases of new fire - fighting materials (such as K - type aerosol).

• Service network coverage

  Preferably choose agents with Class A customs clearance qualifications and over 20 port service outlets. For example, a leading companys hazardous goods clearance green channel can reduce Shanghai Port inspection time to within 48 hours.

• Risk control system

  It should include three guarantee mechanisms: pre - classification dispute solution plan, emergency remedial measures for certification expiration, and rapid handling plan for goods stranded at the port. Some agency companies have introduced an HS code intelligent verification system, reducing the error rate by 76%.

• Service transparency

  The standard service agreement must clearly define terms such as the division of responsibility for customs declaration errors, the calculation method of demurrage charges, and the document storage period. It is recommended to choose a service provider that provides a full - process visual tracking system.

Analysis of Typical Cases

When a fire protection engineering company imported a German high - pressure carbon dioxide fire - extinguishing system, it made a declaration error due to failure to identify the differences in pressure vessel parameters. A professional agency company resolved the crisis through the following steps:

• Complete the supplementary record - keeping of special equipment within 3 hours
• Coordinate with the inspection agency to conduct on - site parameter verification
• Use the pre - classification ruling mechanism to correct the HS code

Finally, avoid a 230,000 - yuan administrative penalty, and control the cargo turnover time within 5 working days.

Solutions to common problems

• Emergency handling of expired certification: Pass customs first through the combination of temporary CCC certification + quality guarantee
• Disposal of Hazardous Goods滯港處置: Implement the Graded Storage Scheme for Bonded Warehouses
• Dispute over Parameter Declaration: Apply for the Customs Technical Classification Consultation Procedure

Selecting a professional agency company can reduce the import compliance cost by 40% and improve the customs clearance efficiency by 60%. It is recommended that enterprises establish a dynamic evaluation mechanism for agency service providers, focus on core indicators such as the ability to handle hazardous goods and the speed of policy response, and build a sustainable and stable import guarantee system.