Solving the dilemma of choosing import equipment payment solutions

In 2025,the General Administration of Customs recently released the "Mechanical and Electrical Products Import and Export Control List".we have identified three most common financial risk traps enterprises fall into: Uncontrolled prepayment ratio

• Importeraccepted50%TTprepaymentterms,sufferedproductionlinesuspensionduetosupplierdeliverydelays:AcertainDocumentflawlosses
• :LCpaymentrejectedbybankduetoincorrectweightunitonpackinglist,incurringover120,000yuanportdetentionfees:Exchangeratefluctuationserodingprofits
• :3.2%RMBdepreciationduring6-monthpaymentcycledirectlyerodedequipmentprocurementbudget:2025mainstreampaymentmethodspracticalcomparison

Comparison of Mainstream Payment Methods in 2025

In accordance with the requirements of the Foreign Exchange Administration Bureau’s Announcement No.15 of 2025,the payment method for equipment imports must simultaneously meet the dual standards of trade authenticity and fund security:

• Advantage:Convenientoperation,commonlyusedforsmall/mediumequipmentprocurement
  • Riskpoint:Suppliercreditriskrequireskeyassessment
  • (Sight/Usance)
• LC (Spot/Long - termTrade dispute settlement mechanisms
  • Riskpoint:Documentationmust100%complywithISBP745rules
  • Riskpoint:Documentationmustbe100%compliantwithISBP745rules
• D/P documents against acceptance
  • Advantage:Balancesriskallocationbetweenbuyersandsellers
  • Riskpoint:Needtoconfirmpoliticalandeconomicstabilityofimportingcountry

Strategies for new foreign exchange regulatory policies

The "Classified Management Measures for Foreign Exchange Receipts and Payments in Cross-Border Trade" implemented in 2025 put forward three key requirements for equipment imports:

• Singlepaymentsexceeding$500,000require5workingdaysadvancereporting
• Deviationbetweencustomstaxcertificatesandpaymentamountsmustnotexceed±2%
• Advancepaymentsrequireoriginalsupplierperformancebonds

Recommended for enterprise adoptionPhased payment + bank guaranteeCombination scheme: Pay a 30% advance payment (requiring the supplier to provide an advance payment guarantee) before the equipment is shipped,pay a 50% progress payment upon receipt of the bill of lading copy,and finally pay the remaining 20% balance after the equipment is installed and debugged.This scheme successfully reduced the funding risk by 37% in the 2025 equipment import case.

Risk prevention operation flow chart

• Step1Contractreview:FocusonverifyingapplicabilityofINCOTERMS2025clauses
• Step2Paymentreporting:OnlinedeclarationthroughSAFEdigitalplatform
• Step3Documentverification:Verifyconsistencybetweenmechanical&electricalcertificatecodesandcustomsHScodes
• Step4Fundtransfer:Usebankhedgingtoolstoavoidexchangeraterisks
• Step5Verificationandarchiving:Retaincompletedocumentsetforatleast5years

After adopting this process,an auto parts manufacturer successfully avoided 1.26 million yuan exchange loss due to euro fluctuations in their German precision machine tool import project,with customs clearance time 8 working days shorter than industry average.

Guidelines for handling special scenarios

Regarding the new customs deposit regulations that will come into effect in 2025,it is recommended to adopt the following measures:Customs Duty Guarantee Insuranceto replace traditional cash bonds:

• Saves90%capitaloccupation
• Electronicinsurancepoliciesenablesecond-levelclearance
• Insuranceratesaslowas0.3‰ofgoodsvalue

For used equipment imports,special attention should be paid to payment terms andCCIC certificatesacquisition timing.Recommend retaining 10%-15% balance payment until equipment passes local inspection,effectively preventing technical trade barrier risks.