How Deep Are the Waters of Auto Parts Importing?

When Mr. Zhang first ordered a set of high-end auto parts from Germany, he thought he could just sit back and wait for the delivery after paying the money. It wasn't until the customs notified him to pay an additional 30% tariff and 20,000 yuan in storage fees that he realized: The waters of auto parts importing transportation are much deeper than expected.

Unlike ordinary goods, auto parts products have three special attributes:

• Complex Categories: From screws to engines, the HS codes may be completely different.
• Wide Value Disparity: A modified steering wheel may be more expensive than the whole vehicle.
• Time-sensitive: The loss of shutting down the production line for one hour far exceeds the freight cost.

Ms. Li once had her entire batch of goods detained for two weeks because she confused "modified parts" with "repair parts" during the declaration. The customs declaration manager of Zhongshitong revealed: 80% of the delays are due to incomplete declaration materials or incorrect classification.

Truly high-quality transportation agencies should do the following:

• Pre-classification Service: Determine the HS code and tax rate in advance.
• Compliant Packaging: Meet the special requirements of the origin countries such as the European Union and Japan.
• Emergency Channel: Provide a rapid customs clearance solution for urgent orders.
• Cost Optimization: Utilize free trade agreements to reduce tariffs.
• Full Traceability: Real-time tracking from the factory to the warehouse.

A Tesla supplier compressed the import turnover time from 15 days to 72 hours through Zhongshitong's bonded warehousing solution.

The costs not indicated on the quotation are often the most fatal:

• Unpacking/Repacking Fees during Customs Inspection (about 2,000 yuan per time).
• Service Fees for 3C Certification Exemption Application.
• Surprise Levy of Anti-dumping Duties.

The new EU regulations in 2023 require all electronic auto parts to provide EPR registration numbers. Importers who fail to prepare in advance will spend an average of 18,000 yuan more per shipment.

Judging from the industry dynamics:

• New energy vehicle parts will account for more than 60% of the import volume.
• Blockchain technology will enable the traceability and anti-counterfeiting of parts.
• The "door-to-door" service standard will be upgraded to reach within 48 hours.

Just like choosing a car maintenance service, professional matters must be left to professional people. Have you encountered any unexpected situations in your most recent auto parts importing transportation? Welcome to share your experiences in the comment section.