As the autumn harvest season enters a critical period, imports of agricultural machinery are witnessing a sustained uptick. To assist businesses in better navigating the key import process for agricultural machinery and mitigating compliance risks, this article outlines key considerations.
I. Commodity Classification
Agricultural machinery encompasses a wide range of equipment. Common classifications include headings 84.32, 84.33, and 84.36. Additionally, various tractors fall under heading 87.01, spraying apparatus under heading 84.24, and plant protection drones for pesticide application under heading 88.06.
Enterprises must ensure the correct classification of imported agricultural machinery based on established principles for commodity classification. Importantly, agricultural machinery towed by tractors or mounted as interchangeable equipment (e.g., plows, harrows, hoes), even when presented together with the tractor (whether assembled or not), should be classified under their respective headings. The tractor itself is classified separately under heading 87.01.
II. Import Controls
As electromechanical products, agricultural machinery imports are subject to categorized management - prohibited, restricted, or free import - under the Measures for the Administration of the Import of Electromechanical Products. The relevant catalogs are formulated, adjusted, and published by the Ministry of Commerce in conjunction with authorities including the General Administration of Customs.
(I) Prohibited Imports
Pursuant to Announcement No. 106 [2018] of the Ministry of Commerce, vehicles listed in the Catalog of Used Electromechanical Products Prohibited from Import are barred from entry. Consequently, used tractors are prohibited from being imported.
(II) Restricted Imports
The import of restricted electromechanical products is managed through quotas and licenses. According to Announcement No. 66 [2024] of the Ministry of Commerce, certain used agricultural machinery under headings 8432 and 8433 (such as rice transplanters, harvesters, pickers, threshers) fall under the Catalogue of Goods Subject to Import LicenseManagement (2025). An Import License is required prior to importation.
(III) Free Imports
To monitor the import volume of electromechanical products, an automatic import licensing system applies to certain freely imported items in China. Per Announcement No. 66 [2024] of the Ministry of Commerce, specific plant protection drones for pesticide spraying under heading 88.06 are included in the Catalogue of Goods Subject to Automatic Import License Administration (2025). An Automatic Import License must be obtained from provincial-level commerce authorities or relevant local and departmental offices for electromechanical products before import.
III. Pre-shipment Inspection
The Administrative Measures for Inspection and Supervision of Imported Used Mechanical and Electrical Products mandate pre-shipment inspection for high-risk imported used machinery, particularly those of high value or involving risks to personal and property safety, health, or environmental protection. According to the Announcement of AQSIQ on Adjusting the Inspection and Supervision of Imported UsedMechanical and ElectricalProducts (Announcement No.145 [2014] of the previous General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine of the People's Republic of China), used agricultural machinery like tractors and combine harvesters are listed in the List of Inspection and Supervision Measures for Imported Used Mechanical and Electrical Products (2014 Edition). These products require pre-shipment inspection, and a Certificate for Pre-shipment Inspection must be submitted to Customs during declaration.
IV. Compulsory Product Certification
The Regulations on Safety Supervision and Administration of Agricultural Machinery stipulate that agricultural machinery subject to mandatory certification must undergo entry verification by entry-exit inspection and quarantine authorities. As per the Announcement of the State Administration for Market Regulation and the GeneralAdministration of Customs on Releasing the Catalogue of Products Subject to CCC and2020 Reference Table for the Products Numbers (Announcement No. 21 [2020] of the State Administration for Market Regulation and the General Administration of Customs),certain plant protection machinery under heading 84.24 and specific wheeled tractors under heading 87.01 are subject to the China Compulsory Certification (CCC) regime. A CCC certificate is required for these products.
V. Preferential Tariff Policies
According to Article 12 of the Tariff Law of the People's Republic of China, conventional tariff rates shall be applicable to the import goods originating in the countries or regions that have concluded with the People's Republic of China any international treaties or agreements containing clauses on tariff preferences or those China has acceded to and complying with the relevant provisions of the international treaties or agreements.
(by an author fromQingdao Customs)
