China New foreign trade export control regulations take effect on June 30

General Administration of Customs Announcement No. 77 of 2026 (New Declaration Rules for Lathes/Milling Machines/Grinding Machines/EDM Machines | Effective June 30)

Scope of Application

Lathes, milling machines, grinding machines, and electrical discharge machining (EDM) machines (die-sinking EDM, wire-cut EDM/WEDM, and small-hole EDM drilling machines) are all included under regulatory oversight.

Covers all export channels: general trade, cross-border e-commerce, express shipments, and market procurement trade.

Enterprises are required to make their own compliance determinations:

Verify equipment parameters prior to shipment to determine if the item falls under the "Dual-Use Items Export Control List";

Vague declarations or generic descriptions like "machine tool" are no longer permitted; parameters must be complete and accurate.

2. Mandatory Declaration Elements for Customs Declarations

• Complete HS Code (declaring only the first 4 digits for a simplified declaration is prohibited)

• Remarks field must specify: whether the equipment is a controlled dual-use item

• Complete details required: number of axes, positioning accuracy, repeatability, control system model, material to be processed, and end-use

3. Accompanying documentation: Contract, pro forma invoice, and full technical specifications/manual for the equipment (must be available for submission upon Customs' request)

4. Complete customer information: Full legal name of the overseas consignee (abbreviations are not permitted)

Some people in the industry are already under formal investigation and facing heavy fines and criminal penalties. These developments have extended export lead times—with some processes requiring clients to provide documentation—and have rendered certain high-precision machines ineligible for export.

I urge fellow professionals in the foreign trade sector to comply with the new regulations.

III. Consequences of Non-Compliance (Very Severe)

1. Incomplete declaration elements or false parameters: Goods may be detained, denied export clearance, or delayed in shipment (inspection and verification processes range from a minimum of two weeks to as long as 2–3 months)

2. False declaration or concealment of controlled dual-use items:

Fines: 5 to 10 times the value of the goods; minimum high-level fines apply for low-value goods;

Serious cases: Criminal liability pursued for the legal representative and person in charge;

Joint liability: Freight forwarders, foreign trade companies, and manufacturing plants across the entire supply chain will be held accountable.

...items controlled under the "Dual-Use Items Export Control List."

❌ Do not split complete machines for separate shipment to evade scrutiny

❌ Do not supply the military, military-affiliated enterprises, or sanctioned entities

❌ Do not comply with customer requests to remove nameplates or erase equipment parameter markings

❌ Do not transship via third countries to sensitive nations or regions