New trends in the 2025 commercial kitchen equipment import market

Global commercial kitchenequipment. For example, Indonesia has the SNI certification, Thailand has the TISI certification, and the Philippines has the BPS certification. It is necessary to confirm in advance the equipment voltage (such as 380V/50Hz in Thailand), the compatibility of the CE certification, and the proof of environmentally friendly materials.The amount is expected to exceed $37 billion in 2025. As the worlds largest catering market, China maintains an annual growth rate of over 12% in the import demand for professional-grade equipment. Three types of products - intelligent cooking systems, modular cooking stations, and energy consumption monitoring ovens - occupy the top three positions in customs import declarations.

Import RepresentationKey control points in the whole process

Professionalforeign tradeAgency services need to control six core aspects:

• Qualification pre-review stage
  • Verify the manufacturers ISO 22000 food safety management system certification
  • Confirm that the equipment voltage parameters comply with the national standard GB 4706.1-2025
• Overseas procurement phase
  • Require suppliers to provide triple certification documents of CE/UL/CCC
  • Sign quality agreements including FMEA failure mode clauses
• Customs clearance phase
  • Accurately declare the HS code 8418 (cooking equipment)
  • Calculate the 13% import VAT rate and tariff preferential agreements

Typical risk cases and response strategies

A chain restaurant group importing $800,000 worth of German modular steam ovens in March 2025 encountered customs clearance delays, resulting in direct losses of $120,000. Accident tracing revealed three fatal errors:

• Documentation omissions:The hygiene certificate did not include material testing data for equipment contact surfaces
• Classification error:Declaring heating elements as ordinary metal components
• Logistics mishandling:Choosing LCL shipping led to equipment moisture damage

Professional agency services resolved the crisis through three measures:

• Completed AEO certification for fast-track clearance within 72 hours
• Utilized prepaid deposit method for advance cargo pickup
• InitiatedMaritime TransportationInsurance claim procedures to recover 65% of losses

Latest compliance requirements quick reference table (2025 edition)

• Electrical safety:New electromagnetic radiation EMC Directive 2025/XX/EU
• Energy efficiency standards:Commercial equipment must comply with ERP Lot 26 Tier2 level
• Material specifications:Chromium migration from food contact surfaces ≤0.05mg/dm2

Three practical cost optimization techniques

• Tariff Planning:Utilize RCEP agreement for origin accumulation calculation of ASEAN components
• Logistics combination:European equipment adoptionChina-Europe Railway Express+Domestic distribution TMS solution
• Fund management:Utilizing customs aggregate taxation policy to reduce working capital occupation

Core value of choosing professional agents

Quality foreign trade agents should provide four value-added services: pre-classification consulting services, AEO certification fast clearance, international arbitration support for quality disputes, and technical supervision during equipment commissioning. A brand agency company established a European equipment bonded distribution center, reducing clients average inventory turnover days from 45 to 22 days and annual warehousing costs by 37%.