Importing steel structures from China

Importing steel structures from China requires comprehensive consideration of China's domestic standards, the certification requirements of the target country, international transportation procedures, tariff policies and inspection and quarantine regulations.

一. Chinese Export Regulations and Certification Requirements

1. Compliance with China's National Standard GB 55006-2021, which is 钢结构通用规范

   • This mandatory standard covers design, materials, construction, and acceptance criteria. Suppliers must ensure steel grades and technical specifications (e.g., yield strength, elongation) meet requirements and provide full documentation (material certificates, test reports).
   • For welded structures, focus on carbon content or carbon equivalent values; low-temperature applications require impact toughness reports.

2. International Certifications

   • EU Market: EN 1090 certification is mandatory, including welding system audits, Factory Production Control (FPC), and product testing. Example: China’s MCC19 obtained EN 1090 certification via OTEC Certification for EU exports.
   • Japan: JIS certification for material and manufacturing compliance.
   • Other Markets: ASTM/AISC standards (U.S.), ISO certifications (global).

3. Pre-Export Quality Inspection

   • Per GB 50205-2001, full documentation checks and sampling tests (chemical composition, mechanical properties, Z-direction performance for thick plates) are required.

二. International Transportation Solutions

1. Transportation Modes

   • Sea Freight: Cost-effective for bulk shipments. Use containers for small parts or bulk carriers for large structures (e.g., bridge components). Secure cargo to prevent shifting.
   • Road Transport: For short distances or inland delivery; comply with size/weight limits (e.g., U.S. state-specific permits for oversized loads).
   • Rail/Barge: Suitable for coastal or riverine regions.

2. Packaging and Preparation

   • Technical prep: Verify component strength, design custom transport racks.
   • Packaging: Secondary parts bundled securely; main components symmetrically loaded with padding to prevent deformation. Follow GB/T 19142 standards.
   • Route planning: Pre-check road conditions and conduct trial runs for oversized loads.

三. Customs Clearance Procedures

1. China Export Documents

   • Required: Commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading, sales contract, export declaration, quality certificates, certificate of origin.
   • Special docs: EN 1090 certificates (EU), JIS certificates (Japan), anti-dumping duty exemption certificates (if applicable).

2. Import Country Requirements

   • EU: CE marking, Declaration of Performance (DoP), and welder qualification records.
   • U.S.: 25% tariff under Section 232 for finished steel structures (semi-finished may be exempt). Submit customs inspection results.
   • Brazil/Canada: Quota restrictions or anti-dumping duties may apply.

3. Tax Calculation

   • Example (HS code 7308900000): EU MFN tariff 4% + 13% VAT; U.S. adds 25% under Section 301 tariffs.

四. Inspection and Quarantine Requirements

1. Sampling Tests

   • Most countries require retesting (e.g., ASTM/EN standards), especially for safety-critical structures (Grade 1 or large-span components).

2. Environmental/Safety Compliance

   • EU: REACH compliance for restricted chemicals.
   • Australia: Fire-resistant coatings must meet AS 4100.

五. Risk Mitigation and Cost Optimization

1. Supply Chain Management

   • Select certified suppliers (e.g., EN 1090-compliant factories).
   • Define liability clauses in contracts (quality disputes, transport risks).

2. Logistics Cost Control

   • Bulk shipping: Reduce costs via bulk carriers (e.g., river freight at ~$4.5/ton).
   • LCL (Less than Container Load): For small batches to minimize storage.

3. Tariff Optimization

   • Use FTAs (e.g., RCEP) for lower tariffs (0% for ASEAN).
   • Apply for anti-dumping exemptions (e.g., U.S. exclusions for specific steel uses).