China’s chemical and pharmaceutical process equipment industry has developed rapidly in recent years. Now it is a major producer and exporter of process equipment that covers a wide range of industrial applications, including reactors, mixers, filtration equipment, distillation equipment, drying equipment, separation equipment, purification equipment, etc.
Having exported the equivalent of 3.59 trillion dollars in goods worldwide last year, you wouldn’t be making an unpopular choice! In this post, we’re giving out basic tips and nuggets of information about importing equipment on the industrial level from China to the world.
Why will you choose China as the equipment origin?
China’s chemical and pharmaceutical process equipment industry is well-developed and highly competitive. There are several reasons why China is a popular choice for process equipment origin:
- Lower Cost: Chinese manufacturing is often less expensive than in other countries due to lower labor costs and economies of scale. This can make it more cost-effective for companies to source their process equipment from China.
- Wide Range of Products: China has a large and diverse manufacturing industry, and many different types of process equipment are produced there. This means that you can always find exactly what you need, and can choose from a wide range of products at competitive prices.
- Quality: While there have been concerns in the past about the quality of Chinese-manufactured goods, many Chinese manufacturers have invested heavily in quality control and have improved their products to meet international standards.
- Infrastructure: China has developed a robust infrastructure to support its manufacturing industry, including transportation, logistics, and supply chain management. This makes it easier for you to import process equipment from China.
- Government Support: The Chinese government has implemented policies to support its manufacturing industry, including tax incentives and subsidies for research and development. This has helped to create a favorable environment for businesses that want to source their process equipment from China.
Meanwhile, China’s chemical and pharmaceutical process equipment has been impacted by a number of challenges, including rising labor costs, environmental regulations, and increased competition from other countries. To address these challenges, the Chinese government has launched several initiatives aimed at improving the industry’s competitiveness, including the “Made in China 2025” plan, which focuses on upgrading the industry’s manufacturing capabilities and promoting innovation.
What You Need To Know About Importing Equipment from China
Importing chemical and pharmaceutical equipment from China can be a complex process, and there are several factors that need to be considered to ensure that the equipment is safe, reliable, and meets regulatory requirements. Here are some important things to know:
- Regulatory Requirements
Chemical and pharmaceutical equipment are subject to strict regulations and standards to ensure safety and quality. It is important to research and understand the regulatory requirements in your country for importing this type of equipment. This may include obtaining necessary certifications, such as CE, FDA, or UL, and ensuring that the equipment meets local safety and environmental standards.
- Supplier Due Diligence:
When importing equipment from China, it is important to work with reputable suppliers who have a proven track record of producing high-quality equipment. This may involve conducting supplier due diligence, such as verifying the supplier’s business license, conducting site visits, and checking project references.
Research and identify potential suppliers from China that can meet your equipment requirements. Consider factors such as price, quality, lead time, and after-sales support.
- Equipment Specifications:
Before importing chemical and pharmaceutical equipment from China, it is important to clearly define the specifications and requirements for the equipment, including its size, capacity, and performance. This can help to ensure that the equipment meets your specific needs and can operate safely and efficiently. Things to keep an eye out for include any certifications it needs, the electrical aspect of the machinery, any software or process control points that you might use with it, etc.
Not only that, but this is a particularly delicate matter on the pharma and chemicals industries, where it can even result in a fine or the outright seizing of your equipment.
You can also request a quote, Contact the suppliers, and request a detailed quotation that includes all costs, such as shipping, taxes, customs duties, and any other applicable fees. Suppliers will hand you detailed sheets on the equipment that will include all of the information you need to know on the safety and efficacy of the product.
The general run-through of the machinery, depending on its purpose and the general requirements for your business can vary widely, you don’t want something too big and expensive for what you aim to accomplish and much less not enough or even something that, because of a lack of focus on your needs, is inefficient. Be wary of this and attempt to have every nuance and specific covered.
- Place an order:
Once you have selected a supplier and negotiated terms, you will place an order for the equipment supplying and project implementation. Be sure to include all necessary details, such as the technical specifications, shipping instructions, and payment terms.
- Be Mindful of Quality Assurance
For the most part, how much assurance your machinery will need is equivalent to how sophisticated, advanced, and nuanced it is.
You will want to be informed on and updated on this during various stages of the process implementing. There are many inspections you might want to run, such as a Pre Shipment Inspection (PSI) when at least 80% of the order is packed. Or a During Production Inspection (DPI), inspections which are conducted after 10-15% of units are completed.
You can ask the supplier about their quality control processes and how they ensure that their products meet regulatory standards. Additionally, consider conducting a factory audit to assess their manufacturing processes and quality control systems.
- Packaging and Shipping:
Chemical and pharmaceutical equipment may be sensitive to temperature, humidity, and shock, and may require special packaging and handling during shipping to prevent damage. It is important to work with a reputable logistics provider who has experience in handling this type of equipment and can ensure that it is transported safely and efficiently.
A resource is also freely available in the form of the https://www.freightforwarderservices.com website, which comprises a global directory of freight forwarders, plus a lot of guidance on this specific process.
You might want to check with your freight forwarder the departure times they offer, what kind of packaging they work with, how they would handle multiple suppliers, etc.
You will also want to find one that specializes in the type of machinery you’re going to import and that’s as near to you as possible, as this is essential for an efficient and satisfactory process.
- Remember to Keep Up with the Delivery
The delivery process is one that requires patience, patience, and more patience. You will want to be informed about everything from where it’s going to ship to when it’s going to get to your country.
It might be tricky to track the shipment while it is still in China, but the support of your Freight Forwarder should be enough to give you peace of mind. This might include tracking tools provided by the company, something you might want to check as well before giving your Freight Forwarder the go-ahead.
Any subcontracted services such as truck companies will most likely contact you, but make sure to keep in touch with your freight forwarder for the latest updates on your delivery.
Inquire about how much time you’re given to unload once they get there, and make sure you’re ready to do so quickly since taking too long might result in additional fees being charged to your bill.
- Payment and Customs Clearance:
When importing equipment from China, it is important to understand the payment and customs clearance process. This may involve negotiating payment terms with the supplier, and arranging all necessary customs documents, such as the commercial invoice, packing list, and bill of lading, are in order and submitted to the appropriate authorities.
- Receive and inspect the equipment:
Once the equipment arrives at your facility, inspect it to ensure it meets the specifications and quality standards outlined in the purchase order. Install and commission the equipment according to the supplier’s instructions and industry best practices.
- After-Sales Support:
It is important to consider after-sales support when importing chemical and pharmaceutical equipment from China. This may include warranties, technical support on installation and commissioning, and training of maintenance and cleaning processes to ensure that the equipment operates safely and efficiently over its lifespan.
What’s our strength in equipment supply:
Particularly here at Greatwall Process and Control (Wuxi) Co., Ltd, we provide a skilled and proficient workforce as well as our up-to-the-minute manufacturing facilities.
Also considering that is located within an industrial hub such as Jiangsu in China can provide several advantages for supplying equipment: access to suppliers, a skilled workforce, infrastructure, government support, and networking opportunities, etc.
- Access to Suppliers: Jiangsu is home to many suppliers of industrial equipment and materials, making it easier for manufacturers to source the components they need to produce their products. This can help to reduce lead times and lower costs.
- Skilled Workforce: Jiangsu has a large pool of skilled workers with expertise in various aspects of industrial manufacturing, such as engineering, machining, and assembly. This can help to ensure high-quality and efficient production processes.
- Above all, process experience is essential in equipment supply as it enables suppliers to understand customers’ needs better. A supplier with process experience can design and manufacture equipment that meets the specific requirements of the customer’s production process. They can also provide guidance and technical support to their customers, helping them to optimize their equipment usage and maximize production efficiency.
- Deep discussion can also help us to anticipate potential issues or challenges that our customers may face during the manufacturing process. With this knowledge, we can design equipment that can overcome these issues and provide solutions to improve customers’ production processes.
- Infrastructure: Jiangsu has a well-developed transportation and logistics infrastructure, including ports, airports, and highways. This makes it easier to transport equipment and materials to and from the region.
- Government Support: The Chinese government has implemented policies to support the development of industrial hubs such as Jiangsu, including tax incentives and subsidies for research and development. This can provide additional resources for manufacturers to invest in innovation and improve their products.
- Networking Opportunities: Being located within an industrial hub can provide opportunities for manufacturers to network and collaborate with other companies in the same industry. This can help to foster innovation, share knowledge and resources, and open up new markets for equipment supply.
Conclusion
Overall, importing chemical and pharmaceutical equipment from China requires careful planning, due diligence, and attention to detail to ensure that the equipment is safe, reliable, and meets regulatory requirements. Working with a reputable supplier and logistics provider, and understanding the regulatory and customs requirements can help to ensure a smooth and successful import process.
Here at Greatwall Process and Control (Wuxi) Co., Ltd, we are working closely with experienced factories and engineers. Ensure that your equipment is energy-efficient, environmentally friendly, and safe. As it is our main goal to assist any startup or company that might need it custom-made for a variety of reasons, and we pride ourselves on our high-technology equipment based on high-efficiency engineering.
Besides, we offer excellent customer service and respond promptly to inquiries, provide technical support, and ensure timely delivery.
Greatwall specializes in made-to-measure equipment, and because of this we are ready to set the details for the process to be as efficient as possible, we offer a dynamic and nuanced discussion on the equipment that will lay to rest any and all doubts you might have.
