Against the backdrop of economic globalization and the booming development of the domestic printing industry, adjustments to the import policies for printing machines have always been a focus of the industry. In 2024, new policies for China’s machine imports were gradually implemented under the influence of multiple factors, bringing new opportunities and challenges to the industry.
The new policies are first reflected in tariff adjustments. Previously, as high-end equipment, printing machines had relatively high import tariffs, imposing significant cost pressures on enterprises. With the implementation of the new policies, according to China’s relevant regulations upon joining the World Trade Organization, the import tariff rates for most machine products have been reduced, and some have even been reduced to 0. This adjustment has significantly reduced the import costs for enterprises, enabling them to introduce advanced machines at more reasonable prices. For example, a printing enterprise that had been hesitant to import advanced German offset machines due to high tariffs was able to smoothly introduce the equipment after the tariff reduction, improving its printing quality and production efficiency, and enhancing its market competitiveness.
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There have also been new changes in the management policy of import licenses. In the past, some machines were restricted import commodities, and the process of applying for import licenses was cumbersome, with a long approval cycle, which seriously affected the import efficiency of enterprises. Now, the new policy has simplified some approval procedures and shortened the approval time. Relevant departments have improved the approval efficiency by optimizing work processes and using information-based means, allowing enterprises to obtain import licenses more quickly. However, enterprises still need to apply to the local commerce department and provide corresponding materials such as import-export business operation rights certificates, detailed machine product lists, and import contracts.
The environmental protection policies have further refined the requirements for machine imports. With the enhancement of China’s environmental awareness and the improvement of environmental protection standards, imported printing machines must meet a series of strict environmental protection requirements. In terms of emission standards, the exhaust gas and wastewater emissions of machines must comply with the latest domestic environmental protection standards. In terms of energy consumption standards, imported machines are required to have higher energy utilization efficiency and reduce energy consumption. Taking the import of flexographic printing machines as an example, before import, enterprises need to ensure that the emissions of volatile organic compounds during the operation of the equipment meet national standards, and at the same time, its energy consumption level must be within the specified range, otherwise the import will not be possible.
Under the new policies, the regulations for the import of second-hand machines have become more explicit. The General Administration of Customs and other departments have clearly stipulated that some second-hand machines cannot enjoy tax-free preferential policies, such as twelve items of “all imported second-hand machinery and electrical equipment”. Moreover, the taxation of imported second-hand machines is calculated based on 60% of the price of new machines for tariffs and value-added taxes. In terms of the import approval process, taking the import of second-hand offset printing machines as an example, in addition to the regular procedures, before issuing the import license, the Ministry of Commerce also needs to send a letter of soliciting opinions to the industry-competent department, the National Press and Publication Administration. The National Press and Publication Administration generally allows the import of second-hand equipment with a production date within ten years.
These new policies have had a profound impact on the domestic printing industry. On the one hand, they have brought development opportunities. The reduction of tariffs and the simplification of approval procedures enable enterprises to more conveniently introduce advanced foreign machines, improve the overall technical level and production capacity of the domestic printing industry, and promote industrial upgrading. At the same time, clear environmental protection and second-hand equipment import standards are conducive to standardizing the market order, guiding enterprises to phase out backward production capacity, and promoting the development of green printing. On the other hand, the new policies also bring challenges. For example, the reduction of tariffs may lead to an increase in the number of imported machines, intensifying competition in the domestic market. Some domestic machine manufacturers with backward technology and insufficient competitiveness face greater survival pressure.
The implementation of the new policies for China’s machine imports has brought new opportunities and also put forward higher requirements for the development of the printing industry. Printing enterprises need to pay close attention to policy dynamics, reasonably introduce machines according to their own needs, and while enhancing their own competitiveness, actively adapt to the new trends in the development of the industry, jointly promoting the Chinese printing industry to move forward to a higher level.
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