"22% Surge in China's Steel Structure Exports: Comprehensive Certification and Customs Clearance Guide for Europe and the U.S."
Release time:
2025-06-11
China's steel structure building materials exports have experienced explosive growth, with industry data showing a year-on-year growth of up to 22%. Behind this growth is the efforts of Chinese manufacturing companies to actively expand into the high-end markets in Europe and the United States, and the key to a successful breakthrough lies in the precise grasp of the complex certification system and export process in Europe and the United States.
The European and American markets have a strict access system for steel structure products, and companies must cross three thresholds: product certification system, export document compliance, and international logistics adaptation. Omissions in any link may lead to cargo detention, return, or even high fines, and systematic mastery of the rules has become the core competitiveness of export companies.
1. Analysis of the two major certification systems in the European and American markets
EU CE Certification (CPR Regulation)
Compulsory certification scope: According to the EU Construction Products Regulation 305/2011 (CPR), all steel structures involving building safety (such as load-bearing, fire protection, and earthquake resistance) must pass CE certification. Welded structures must comply with the EN 1090 standard and are divided into four categories according to risk levels: EXC1 (low risk) to EXC4 (high-risk bridges, etc.).
Core certification process:
Factory Production Control System Certification (FPC): It is necessary to establish a traceable welding procedure qualification (WPQR), personnel qualifications (such as welder certificates), and raw material testing processes.
Product classification certification: For example, fasteners are applicable to EN 14399 (SYSTEM 2+), which requires laboratory testing + factory review; non-load-bearing parts may be applicable to SYSTEM 4 (internal quality inspection).
Technical document preparation: including design drawings, test reports, and declarations of conformity (DoC).
North American and supplementary certification requirements
Material test certificate (MTC/EN 10204): Steel for pressure equipment must provide a material certificate containing chemical composition and mechanical properties (tensile/impact/hardness) to ensure traceability to production batches.
Additional requirements for the US and Canadian markets: AISC certification (American Institute of Steel Construction) or CSA welding specifications (Canada), focusing on welding procedures and non-destructive testing standards.
2. Practical Guide for the Whole Certification Process (6 Steps to Pass)
Preliminary preparation: confirm applicable standards (such as EN 1090-2) and construction levels (EXC2/EXC3 are common).
System construction: establish ISO 3834 welding quality system and complete welding process qualification (WPQR).
Institutional cooperation: select EU notified body (such as TÜV) to sign a technical service agreement and submit FPC documents.
Sample testing: send samples to accredited laboratories to obtain test reports (including load, corrosion and other properties).
Factory audit: on-site factory inspection by the certification body to confirm production and quality control compliance (certificate validity period is 3 years).
Annual supervision: annual review to maintain the validity of the certificate.
3. Key points of the whole export declaration process
1. License and document management
Export license: issued by the Ministry of Commerce, valid for 6 months, and implement "one batch, one license" (bulk cargo allows ±5% overloading).
Necessary documents: contract, invoice, packing list, customs declaration letter, shipping order (S/O), copy of CE/MTC certificate.
2. Compliance points of declaration
“Actual inspection status” principle: the declared name must be consistent with the actual goods. For example, the steel structure components of the exported power station should be declared as “steel beam H-type” (HS 730890) instead of “power station” to avoid customs inspection due to inconsistent product names1.
Special packaging requirements: wooden pallets need to provide fumigation certificates (ISPM 15 standard), and fumigation takes 24 hours.
3. Inspection, quarantine and customs clearance
Statutory commodity inspection: It is necessary to apply for the “Outbound Goods Clearance Certificate” 3 days in advance, and the customs will release it based on this.
Inspection response: During the customs inspection, the consignor and consignee must be present to assist in moving the goods. If there is no feedback for more than 48 hours, a claim can be filed.
IV. Enterprise cost reduction and efficiency improvement strategy
Pre-certification: Incorporate standard requirements (such as EN 1090 weld grade) into the design stage to avoid rework.
Logistics optimization: Large components are transported by frame boxes + bulk carriers, which saves 30% of freight compared to container solutions.
Local customs clearance: Cooperate with EU licensed importers to speed up customs clearance by using their registered qualifications.
A steel structure company in Zhejiang Province has achieved full-process traceability of welding points by establishing a digital FPC system, shortening the CE certification cycle from 6 months to 3 months, and increasing export orders by 40% year-on-year.
Conclusion: Compliance is the invisible engine of export growth
The high growth of China's steel structure exports of 22% is by no means accidental, but stems from the deep grasp of international rules by leading companies. From "passive compliance" to "active design", internalizing certification requirements into the entire production process can transform technical barriers into competitive moats. With the introduction of new regulations such as carbon footprint traceability in Europe and the United States, continuous dynamic tracking of certification policies (such as the CPR amendment) will become the core survival skill of enterprises in the internationalization process.
Latest News
WhatsApp:
Email:
Tel/WeChat
Office Address
15-10, Building J1, Wanda Plaza, 57 Gongye South Road, Jinan District, China (Shandong) Pilot Free Trade Zone
