Home»Machinery & Equipment» Case Study of Taiwan Ball Screw Import Clearance: How a 22-Year Veteran Agent Completed Shanghai Port Customs Clearance in 3 Days
I. Case Background: Import Challenges of Precision Transmission Components
In December 2022, we were commissioned by a precision machinery manufacturer in Taiwan to import a batch of high-precision ball screws through Shanghai Port to a Dongguan factory. Such products have three typical characteristics: 1) Complex HS code classification (usually under 8483.40); 2) Declaration elements involving technical parameters like lead accuracy; 3) Some models may require automatic import license management.
The client initially encountered two pain points when attempting self-clearance: 1) Incomplete declaration elements led to customs requests for supplementary documents, causing cargo detention and storage fees; 2) Insufficient understanding of quarantine requirements for mechanical/electrical product wooden packaging nearly triggered quarantine procedures. This precisely demonstrates the value of professionalImport Representationvalue lies.
II. Process Breakdown: 6 Key Steps from Taiwan Factory to Dongguan Workshop
We formed a dedicated team including customs declaration managers and mechanical/electrical product specialists, focusing on:
Verifying tariff preference applicability of Taiwan Certificate of Origin FORM E (ultimately enjoying 0% tariff)
Preparing customs-compliant declaration element forms, specifically noting key technical parameters like ±0.003mm lead accuracy per revolution,
Pre-checking IPPC marks on wooden packaging to avoid quarantine risks
2. Intelligent Clearance Solution Design
Based on 15 years of agency experience, we adopt a two-step strategy:
Pre-enter declaration data into the system 3 working days in advance
Complete technical parameter pre-confirmation with the document review center before vessel arrival
This operation compresses formal customs declaration time to 0.5 working days, 2 days faster than industry average.
3. The Art of Handling Customs Inspection
Although this shipment was still selected for inspection (mechanical products have ~30% inspection rate), we managed to:
Prepare product structure diagrams in advance
Arrange remote technical support from Taiwanese engineers
Schedule inspection via the Customs-Enterprise Collaboration System
Complete the inspection cycle within 5 working days, significantly below the average 15-18 days for similar cases.
III. Cost Optimization: Hidden Profit Space
Through professional operations, we achieved triple cost savings for clients:
Project
Standard operations
Optimized Solution
Savings Amount
Port demurrage
7 days × ¥800/day
3 days × ¥800/day
¥3,200
Tariff
Applicable MFN tariff rate 8%
FORM E zero tariff
¥42,000
Container demurrage charges are 200 - 500 US dollars per day
3 times × ¥500/time
0 times
¥1,500
IV. Industry Insights: 2023 New Trends in Machinery Imports
Combining this case, we identified three industry changes:
Widespread adoption of smart pre-review: Nationwide customs promotion of advance declaration mode, with 60% clearance efficiency improvement for qualified enterprises
Choose service providers with local teams at destination ports (we maintain an 8-person resident team at Shanghai port)
Leverage free trade agreements - Taiwanese products can evaluate tariff benefits under both ECFA and RCEP
This cases success validates our service philosophy: Leave professional matters to professionals, making international trade simpler. Next time you need to import special equipment, consider - might there be a better solution?