importing and buying fitness equipment

More and more people like to use fitness equipment to exercise, and the requirements for fitness equipment are becoming increasingly diverse. Regular exercise and fitness can improve the body’s immunity, reduce physical and mental stress, and gain a healthy and well-proportioned body shape. Fitness equipment is not only of many types, but also has its own requirements and characteristics for import customs clearance. How does imported fitness equipment go through customs? Let’s take a look.

Import Requirements for Fitness Equipment

Does imported fitness equipment need CCC certification?

CCC certification is the full name of “China Compulsory Product Certification”. It is a product conformity assessment system implemented by the Chinese government in accordance with laws and regulations to protect the personal safety of consumers and national security, strengthen product quality management, and implement it. According to the “Regulations on the Administration of Compulsory Product Certification”, in accordance with the “Description and Definition Table of Compulsory Product Certification Catalog (Revised in 2023)”, key components in fitness equipment, such as low-power motors in treadmills, belong to the products in the compulsory product certification catalog. When imported separately, CCC certification is required in advance.

Do imported fitness equipment need to be labeled with toxic and hazardous substances?

For electrical and electronic fitness equipment such as treadmills, according to my country’s “Administrative Measures for the Restriction of the Use of Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Products”, electrical and electronic product manufacturers and importers should mark the toxic and hazardous substances (lead and its compounds, mercury and its compounds, cadmium and its compounds, hexavalent chromium compounds, polybrominated biphenyls, polybrominated diphenyl ethers, etc.) and environmental protection use period contained in electrical and electronic products put on the market.

How to declare fitness equipment?

Fitness equipment commodity classification

According to the “Standardized Declaration Catalogue of Import and Export Commodities of the Customs of the People’s Republic of China” (2023 edition), most fitness equipment belongs to the chapter of sports goods and their parts, among which treadmills (complete machines) are specifically listed products, classified into 9506911110, treadmill parts and accessories are classified into 9506911190 (except for those with clear classification requirements), and other fitness equipment such as elliptical machines, rowing machines, and spinning bikes are generally classified into 9506911900.

Material certificates required for fitness equipment import declaration

Import declarations must submit necessary certificates including contracts, invoices, packing lists, bills of lading, etc. The elements of the complete machine import declaration include: product name, material, brand, model, and when importing fitness equipment parts listed in the compulsory product certification catalog separately, the number of the “Compulsory Product Certification (CCC Certification) Certificate” should be declared, and the customs will conduct online verification.

Fitness Equipment Regulatory Requirements

Safety requirements for stationary fitness equipment

Stationary fitness equipment should comply with the requirements of Chapter 5 “Safety Requirements” of “Stationary Fitness Equipment Part 1: General Safety Requirements and Test Methods” (GB 17498.1-2008), including stability, external structure, entry and exit and release mechanism, adjustment and locking mechanism, chain, introduction point, grip position, electrical safety, etc. At the same time, it should also comply with the additional special safety requirements in the specific product standards. For example, treadmills should also comply with “Stationary Fitness Equipment Part 6: Additional Special Safety Requirements and Test Methods for Treadmills” (GB 17498.1-2008).

Marking

According to the “Stationary Fitness Equipment Part 1: General Safety Requirements and Test Methods” (GB 17498.1-2008), fitness equipment should be permanently marked with at least the following: 1. The name or trademark of the manufacturer, supplier or importer and its complete address; 2. The maximum body mass and maximum gravity load allowed for individual training stations (if applicable); 3. Grade category; 4. Separate rule code; 5. Pictograms reminding users to read the instructions.

Instructions

Imported fitness equipment should be equipped with Chinese instructions, which should contain at least the following: customer service address, scope of application, correct use knowledge and key points, training guide, health injury warning, graphic description, structural design diagram, deviation from design warning, stability and flatness warning, load placement and equipment adjustment, maximum body mass reminder, maximum training load reminder.

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