Semiconductors in 2025Equipment ImportsNew market trends

Against the backdrop of the global semiconductor industrys continued shift to Asia, Chinas semiconductor equipment imports have maintained an annual growth rate of 12%. According to the latest data from the General Administration of Customs, lithography machine imports in Q1 2025 increased by 23% year-on-year, with customs clearance time requirements for inspection equipment shortened to within 72 hours.

Core Customs Clearance Process Breakdown

The special regulatory requirements involved in semiconductor equipment imports make their customs clearance complexity far exceed that of ordinary industrial equipment:

• Step 1: Technical Parameter Verification
  • Submit equipment technical white paper (including nanometer-level precision parameters)
  • Declared power consumption must match energy efficiency labels
• Step 2: Accurate HS Code Classification
  • Lithography machines classified under 8486.2030 require resolution proof
  • Wafer inspection equipment subject to additional clauses under 9011.8000
• Step 3: License Documentation Processing
  • Equipment listed in the Catalog of Key Used Mechanical and Electrical Products for Import requires MIIT approval
  • Equipment with process nodes below 10nm must apply for Dual-Use Items License

Three Major Changes in 2025 Tariff Policies

• Provisional tariff rate for semiconductor manufacturing equipment imports reduced from 5% to 3%
• Separately imported components eligible for 50% VAT refund upon collection
• Tariff preferences for Korean equipment under FTAs expanded to 92 tariff lines

Risk Warning of Typical Cases

A company importing used etching machines incurredenergy efficiency re-inspectionresulting in overdue declaration fines of 380,000 yuan. Key recommendations:

• Used equipment must provide original factory energy consumption test reports
• Control system versions must comply with CCC certification requirements
• Components like vacuum pumps require separate pressure vessel filing declarations

Professional Agency Service Provider Selection Criteria

• Qualification verification:Must possess qualifications for handling automatic import licenses for mechanical and electrical products
• Practical experience:No fewer than 50 semiconductor equipment clearance cases in the past three years
• The mainstream charging models in the industry in 2025 include:Establish dedicated customs clearance channels for AEO-certified companies
• Service Network:Set up specialized inspection sites for semiconductor equipment at major ports
• Compliance System:Equipped with EICC Global Trade Compliance Management System

Analysis of Common Declaration Mistakes

According to 2025 customs audit data, 36% of declaration issues are concentrated in:

• Confusion of equipment purposes (different regulatory conditions apply to R&D/production)
• Failure to declare bundled software (requires separate confirmation of copyright filing)
• Neglecting environmental certification of refrigerants in temperature control systems (involving the Montreal Protocol)