New Trends in the Imported Hydrogen-Rich Equipment Market

By the second quarter of 2025,China’s hydrogen-rich water market is expected to reach a total sales volume of 1 billion yuan.The volume increased by 37% year-on-year,with medical-grade equipment accounting for over 42%.However,customs data shows that the return rate for this category rose by 15% year-on-year,primarily concentrated in orders handled by medium-sized agency service providers.This reveals significant professional barriers in equipment imports.

Comparison of Three Typical Models of Agency Service Providers

Comprehensive service-oriented agency:

• Representativeenterprises:Sinotrans,COSCOLogistics
• Advantages:Comprehensiveriskunderwritingcapabilitythroughouttheentireprocess,especiallysuitableforfirst-timeimportenterprises.
• Disadvantages:Servicefeesare40%-60%higherthantheindustryaverage.

Regional exclusive agency:

• RepresentativeEnterprise:SpecializedHydrogenEnergyEquipmentCompanyintheYangtzeRiverDeltaRegion
• Advantages:Customsclearanceatspecificportsis2-3workingdaysfaster.
• Risk:Someenterprisesengageinbusinessactivitiesbeyondtheirapprovedscope.

Technology-oriented agent:

• Representativeenterprise:Technologyservicecompanywithhydrogenenergylaboratory
• CoreValues:Assistincompletingequipmentenergyefficiencycertification(specialattentionmustbepaidtothe2025editionofthenewnationalstandard).
• Serviceblindspots:Thelogisticsprocessoftenadoptsanoutsourcingmodel.

7 Golden Rules for Choosing an Agent

Qualification Review:

• CustomsAEOcertification(prioritygiventoadvancedcertifiedenterprises)
• HazardousMaterialsBusinessLicense(RequiredforHydrogen-relatedEquipment)
• ISO28000SupplyChainSecurityCertification

Customs clearance capability verification:

• Pleaseprovidethecustomsclearancerecordsforthesameproductcategoryfromthepastsixmonths.
• ChecktheaccuracyrateofHScodedeclaration(recommendedrequirement≥98%).
• Confirmwhetherpre-classificationservicecapabilityisavailable.

Bargaining Power Assessment:

• ComparethedifferencesinTHCfeequotationsamongmajorports.
• Pleaseprovideadetailedbreakdownofdestinationportmiscellaneouscharges.
• Confirmwhetherthequalificationforcabinpriorityguaranteeismet.

Analysis of Key Operation Processes

Phase 1: Requirements Confirmation

• Equipmentparameterverification(withafocusonhydrogenstoragepressurevesselparameters)
• BookComplianceReview
• FormulationofTariffPreferenceSchemes(e.g.RCEPAgreement,ifapplicable)

Phase Two: Transportation Support

• Specialcontainerconfigurationforhydrogenenergyequipment
• NegotiationonSpecialClausesforMarineInsurance(RecommendationtoAddVibrationDamageCoverage)
• DevelopmentofShipmentScheduleContingencyPlan

Phase 3: Customs Clearance and Delivery

• ExpressEntryApplication
• LaboratoryTestingPrioritySchedulingCoordination
• Real-timeMonitoringSystemforWarehouseTemperatureandHumidityAccess

High-Frequency Incident Handling Plan

Case 1:A certain Korean equipment was detained at the port due to the lack of material certification for the electrolyzer.

• Solution:Enablethepre-depositcustomsclearancechannel
• Processingtime:Reducedfromthestandard15daystojust3days.

Case 2: Japanese imported equipment faces anti-dumping investigation.

• ResponseStrategy:ApplyfortheNewShipperReviewProcedure
• Costcontrol:Leveragingtheprovisionaltariffpolicywindowperiod.

Request for a clean on - board bill of lading.The bank refused payment because the freight forwarder missed typing the words on board,EU energy efficiency label for equipment fails to meet standards.

• RemedialMeasures:DomesticModificationTechnicalSolutionFiling
• Costoptimization:Leveragethesuperpositionoftechnicalrenovationsubsidypolicies.

Regulatory Highlights for 2025

New Customs Regulations:

• ThededicatedHScodeforhydrogenenergyequipmentissubdividedto10digits.
• Thesafetyverificationofpressurevesselsisadvancedtotheportofshipment.
• Theelectroniccertificateoforiginverificationsystemisnowfullyoperational.

Market Regulation:

• Medical-useequipmentrequiresadditionaldrugregulatoryfiling.
• Theenergyefficiencylabelhasbeenadjustedfroma5-tiertoa3-tierratingstandard.
• Theafter-salesservicesystemisincorporatedintotheimportqualificationreview.