International Trade Q&A

What common industrial raw materials and semi-finished products are covered in import and export agency services?

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I am the procurement supervisor of a new energy auto component manufacturing company established in 2026. Last month, we finalized an export order with customers in Southeast Asia, and we need to import special alloy steel from Germany as raw material.

However, our company does not have import and export rights and plans to find an agent. I heard from peers that the customs adjusted the classification of some metal materials at the end of 2025, so I am worried that special steel is not within the agency scope, and whether the exported components will be subject to new 3C certification requirements.

I would like to ask specifically what products are covered by import and export agency services? Especially for the special steel and new energy components we involve, are there any new prohibited or restricted categories added in 2026?

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Expert Answer

Olivia
OliviaYears of service：5Customer Rating：5.0

Senior Customs AdvisorStart a Chat

The product categories covered by import and export agency services in 2026 shall be accurately matched in accordance with the latest customs regulatory policies，which are mainly divided into four categories，each with clear pre-compliance requirements:

The first category is General Trade Category: Industrial raw materials (special steel shall comply with the 2026 *Imported Metal Materials Classification Catalogue*，and third-party material certificates are required，alloy materials with nickel content ≥8% shall be classified under the 7225 series，and classification errors will trigger customs valuation disputes)，daily consumer goods (electronic products require 3C certification，and energy efficiency labeling requirements for smart wearable devices are added in 2026)，pre-packaged agricultural products (2026 version of entry quarantine certificate is required，and frozen meat shall be marked with a traceability code);

The second category is Processing Trade Category: New energy components (motor rotors，battery management systems，etc. can enjoy the 2026 processing trade margin account zero-deposit policy，and processing manuals shall be filed with the customs in advance);

The third category is Restricted Category: Lithium batteries with energy density ≥300Wh/kg (updated UN38.3 identification report is required) and some Class II medical devices (medical device registration certificate is required) are added in 2026;

The fourth category is Prohibited Category: It still includes endangered animal and plant products，unlicensed radioactive materials，etc。with no new categories added.

Key operation points: For import of special steel，it is necessary to confirm whether the HS code is within the adjustment scope of the 2026 *Import and Export Tariff*，for export of new energy components，intellectual property customs filing shall be handled in advance (the crackdown on infringement in the new energy field is intensified in 2026) to avoid cargo seizure due to lack of filing.

Ella
EllaYears of service：10Customer Rating：5.0

Senior Financial AdvisorStart a Chat

The core of customs declaration for import and export agency products in 2026 is accurate HS code classification. For special steel, alloy composition shall be distinguished (those with nickel content ≥8% are classified under the 7225 series), and classification errors will trigger customs valuation disputes. For export of new energy components, the 2026 version of *Export Product Technical Parameter Sheet* shall be provided, and the customs will check against Southeast Asian market access standards.

The integrated customs clearance system is upgraded in 2026, allowing declaration at any port across the country, while Shanghai Port has a more optimized inspection process for lithium batteries (inspection rate 15%). For valuation disputes, third-party material reports can be provided as evidence to avoid container detention fees caused by port stay exceeding 7 days.

Robert
RobertYears of service：6Customer Rating：5.0

Warehouse Management AdvisorStart a Chat

Logistics routes in 2026 shall be selected based on cargo value and time limit: For special steel imported from Germany, choose China-Europe Railway Express (direct route from Xi'an to Hamburg, 12 days of transit time, 15% lower cost than sea freight); for new energy components exported to Southeast Asia, choose the direct route from Shanghai to Singapore to Bangkok (10 days of free storage period, with new night container pickup service added).

Note that the storage fee for lithium batteries has increased by 10%, so free storage extension clauses shall be agreed in advance. Cargo right control: Use straight bill of lading for export, and require clean bill of lading (without remarks) for import to avoid cargo release without original bill of lading.

Emily
EmilyYears of service：3Customer Rating：5.0

Client Success AdvisorStart a Chat

Tax attention points in 2026: Imported special steel enjoys tariff preference (reduced from 8% to 5%); the export tax rebate rate for new energy components is 13%, but foreign exchange shall be collected within 90 days (otherwise it will affect tax rebate).

VAT deferment covers general trade imports, allowing 3 months of delayed payment to ease capital pressure. Related party transaction pricing lower than 70% of the market price will trigger BEPS inspection, and third-party price assessment report is required.

Daniel
DanielYears of service：8Customer Rating：5.0

Legal AdvisorStart a Chat

Payment and receipt of foreign exchange in 2026 shall comply with CIPS/SWIFT requirements: Use CIPS for RMB payment for imported special steel (handling fee 0.05%), and RMB settlement is available for exports to Southeast Asia (no foreign exchange verification sheet required).

For single payment or receipt of foreign exchange exceeding 500,000 US dollars, trade contract and invoice shall be provided to avoid abnormal transactions. Hong Kong offshore accounts shall provide the 2026 version of trade background description to prevent account freezing.

Alexander
AlexanderYears of service：10Customer Rating：5.0

Senior Trade AdvisorStart a Chat

Legal risk points in 2026: Intellectual property indemnity clauses shall be agreed for exported new energy components (infringement compensation in Southeast Asia is 3 times the cargo value); quality claim clauses shall be agreed for imported special steel (refund within 10 days and bear freight). The letter of credit shall confirm the clause of "customs recognized testing institutions", and port announcement certificates shall be provided for force majeure to avoid breach of contract.

David
DavidYears of service：3Customer Rating：5.0

Business Development AdvisorStart a Chat

Inspection attention points in 2026: For imported special steel, material certificates shall be placed at the door of the container, and sample testing shall be coordinated within 3 days if X-ray inspection is abnormal; exported new energy components shall be affixed with 3C certification and energy efficiency labels. E-seals shall be verified via the customs APP, and if damaged, photos shall be taken immediately and kept for record and notify the customs to avoid cargo seizure.

William
WilliamYears of service：10Customer Rating：5.0

International Logistics AdvisorStart a Chat

Packaging compliance requirements in 2026: Special steel shall be packed in moisture-proof wooden boxes (silica gel ≥200g per cubic meter); new energy components shall be packed in anti-static packaging (surface resistance ≤10^9Ω). Lithium batteries (≥300Wh/kg) shall be packed with UN38.3 certified packaging and marked with recycling labels, otherwise they cannot pass inspection.

Note: We respect all users' opinions and contributions. However, comments and answers reflect the views of their respective authors only.
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