Home » Machinery & Equipment » Taking composting equipment to Europe? These pain points solved in one move
Introduction
Composting equipment is a professional environmental-protection device that converts organic waste into organic fertilizer; by means of biological fermentation technology it treats household garbage, agricultural waste, etc., realizing the recycling of resources. Marseille-Fos Port, the largest port on France’s Mediterranean coast, is a key logistics hub in southern Europe and holds notable strengths in environmental-protection equipment, renewable-energy equipment, and wastewater-treatment systems. In terms of customs classification, composting equipment is usually filed under HS code 847989 as a product of Chapter 84 “Machinery,” but depending on its specific functions and degree of electrification it may also fall under Chapter 85 (electrical equipment) or Chapter 90 (measuring and analyzing instruments), making classification rather complex.
The international trade process for environmental-protection equipment is full of challenges; every step—from customs classification and product certification to cross-border fund settlement—demands specialized knowledge and experience.Zhong Shen International Trade Co., Ltd.As a professionalImport and exportTrade service providers not only offer routine logistics and customs-clearance services, but also focus on solving clients’"Trading Qualification"And"Cross-border capital flows"address fundamental issues in this regard, helping companies smoothly conduct international trade operations.
Market Status and Trends
As a major European gateway for importing environmental-protection equipment, the Port of Marseille-Fos exhibits the following demand characteristics:
- Environmental policy drivers: The EU’s stringent environmental regulations are fueling demand for high-efficiency composting equipment, especially in organic-waste treatment and the circular-economy sector.
- Technology upgrade requirements: The European market has a sustained demand for advanced composting equipment that is highly automated, energy-efficient, and offers high processing efficiency.
- Localization service requirements: Customers in France and neighboring countries increasingly value whether suppliers can provide localized installation, maintenance, and technical support services.
Common pain points companies encounter when entering this market:
- Complex customs classification: composting equipment falls under multiple HS-code chapters, and misclassification can trigger extra duties or clearance delays.
- Product certification barriers: Mandatory requirements such as EU CE marking and environmental standards impose strict specifications on equipment’s technical parameters and materials.
- Cross-border payment barriers: Many domestic companies lack the qualifications and channels to directly receive U.S. dollars from overseas, hindering the smooth completion of transactions.
- Tax RebatesProblem: Enterprises without import-export rights are unable to benefit from export tax rebate policies, resulting in considerable economic losses.
- Logistics Coordination Challenges: The transportation and handling of large-scale equipment demand specialized logistics planning and execution capabilities.
Main Process/Steps
The main process for exporting composting equipment to the Port of Marseille-Fos includes the following steps:
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Supplier qualification review and product quality control
- Verify the supplier's production qualifications, technical capabilities, and export experience.
- Conduct factory audits to ensure the production environment meets international standards
- Implement a rigorous Quality Control (QC) process that includes raw-material inspection, in-process monitoring, and finished-product testing
- Prepare detailed technical documentation and product manuals to ensure compliance with EU requirements.
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Product Certification and Compliance Preparation
- Obtain CE certification to ensure your product meets the EU’s safety, health, and environmental-protection requirements
- Depending on the product characteristics, additional environmental certifications or energy-efficiency labels may be required.
- Prepare the Declaration of Conformity and the technical construction file
- Ensure that the product identification, instruction manual, and packaging comply with the language and regulatory requirements of the European Union.
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International Logisticsand transportation arrangements
- Choose the appropriate mode of transport (FCL, LCL, or break-bulk) based on the equipment’s dimensions and weight.
- Arrange domestic transportation to the port, including loading/unloading and temporary storage.
- Book the sailing schedule and prepare the bill of lading and other shipping documents.
- Purchase adequate transportation insurance that covers the entire journey.
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Export ClearanceTax Treatment
- Accurately classify the goods for customs purposes and determine the correct HS code (e.g., 847989).
- Prepare the documents required for export declaration, including commercial invoices, packing lists, and other relevant documents.Origin Certificateetc.
- Utilize Zhongshen International Trade's import and export qualifications to handle export procedures for clients.
- Professionally handle export tax rebate procedures to ensure clients receive the full amount of tax refunds.
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Import Customs ClearancePort-side handling
- Prepare import clearance documents in advance, including the commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading, certificate of origin, etc.
- Handle the procedures for paying import duties and value-added tax.
- Coordinate unloading, inspection, and temporary storage at the Port of Marseille-Fos.
- Arrange final delivery to the customer-designated location, including any required post-clearance services.
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Settlement and Fund Management
- By leveraging Zhongshen International Trade's qualifications, collect USD payments from overseas buyers on behalf of clients.
- In accordance with the contract, promptly settle the payment to the customer.
- Process export tax refunds to ensure the full amount is returned to the customer.
- Provide complete fund flow statements and tax documents to facilitate the client's financial accounting.
Cost breakdown
The main cost items for exporting composting equipment to the Port of Marseille-Fos are as follows:
| Cost items | description | Optimization Plan for Zhongshen International Trade |
|---|---|---|
| Product cost (FOB) | Including equipment production costs, packaging, and domestic transportation to the port. | Leverage an extensive network of Chinese suppliers to identify the most cost-effective options and reduce procurement expenses. |
| Certification/Testing Fees | CE certification, quality inspection, and related expenses | Leverage long-standing partnerships with certification bodies to secure more favorable certification fees and faster processing cycles. |
| International Freight & Insurance | Maritime transportCost and transportation insurance | By leveraging long-term partnerships with multiple shipping lines, we secure more favorable freight rates; we also offer comprehensive insurance solutions to minimize risk. |
| Tariffs and Taxes | EU Import Duties and VAT | By processing our 100% compliant FORM A certificate of origin, this tariff can be reduced to the preferential rate. |
| Port charges | Handling, storage and other charges at the Port of Marseille-Fos | Leverage partnerships with local agents to streamline port operations, cut demurrage time, and reduce associated costs. |
| Agent service fee | Including service fees for customs clearance, document processing, and coordination. | Provide transparent and reasonable fee standards and reduce clients’ overall operating costs through one-stop services. |
Risks/Difficulties and Sinosure International Trade's Solutions
During the export of composting equipment to the Port of Marseille-Fos, the following risks and corresponding solutions may arise:
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Customs Classification Risks
- Potential cause: Composting equipment has complex functions and may involve multiple HS codes; incorrect classification can lead to additional taxes or customs clearance delays.
- Zhongshen International Trade Solution: A dedicated customs classification team analyzes product characteristics in advance to determine the optimal classification plan; detailed technical descriptions and classification justifications are prepared to address customs inquiries; when necessary, a binding pre-classification ruling is applied for to ensure classification accuracy.
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Product certification risk
- Potential cause: The EU has stringent technical and safety requirements for environmental-protection equipment; failure to obtain certification will bar entry into the market.
- Zhongshen International Trade Solution: Provide pre-assessment of certification to identify potential issues in advance; guide suppliers through necessary technical improvements; collaborate with authoritative certification bodies to accelerate the certification process; and deliver multilingual technical documentation support to ensure compliance with EU requirements.
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Payment and Fund Flow Risk
- Potential cause: The client lacks import-export qualifications and is therefore unable to receive overseas USD directly or process export-tax rebates, resulting in financial losses.
- Zhongshen International Trade Solution: Acting as the client’s agent, we use our own license to collect USD payments from overseas buyers on their behalf; we professionally handle export-tax-rebate procedures to ensure the full rebate is returned to the client; we provide safe, efficient cross-border fund-settlement services that solve the client’s foreign-exchange receipt and payment problems.
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Logistics and the Risk of Cargo Damage
- Potential causes: Composting equipment is generally bulky and heavy, easily damaged during transport, and complicated to load and unload.
- Zhongshen International Trade Solutions: Provide professional packaging and reinforcement plans to ensure transport safety; deploy an experienced logistics team to monitor the entire shipping process; purchase comprehensive transport insurance to cover potential risks; maintain reliable partners at the Port of Marseille-Fos to guarantee safe unloading and temporary storage of goods.
Suitable types of enterprises
Zhongshen International Trade's Compost?Equipment Export?The service is especially suitable for the following types of businesses:
- Compost-equipment manufacturers: equipment producers that have manufacturing capacity but lack international-trade experience and qualifications.
- Environmental-equipment trading company: a trader with supplier resources and market channels but lacking professional import-and-export capabilities.
- Start-up environmental-protection company: an early-stage firm with innovative products that has not yet built a complete international-trade system.
- Manufacturers without import-export rights: factories that focus solely on production and have not applied for import-export qualifications.
- Companies that wish to focus on their core business: those that aim to make sales and production their centerpiece and outsource the import and export segments.
- Cross-border E-commerceSeller: A seller who sells large-scale environmental protection equipment through e-commerce platforms and requires professional logistics and customs clearance support.
Conclusion
As global environmental awareness rises and the circular economy expands, composting equipment enjoys broad prospects in the international market. The Marseille-Fos Port, a key gateway to southern Europe, offers an ideal channel for Chinese environmental-protection equipment to enter the European market. Yet complex international-trade procedures, stringent product requirements, and cross-border payment hurdles all demand specialized knowledge and experience to navigate.
Zhongshen International Trade not only provides routine logistics and customs-clearance services, but also focuses on solving clients’"Trading Qualification"And"Cross-border capital flows"fundamental issues in this area. With our professional services, clients can concentrate on product R&D and market expansion without worrying about complex matters such as import/export qualifications, foreign-exchange receipts and payments, or export tax rebates. Our one-stop solution will help your composting equipment enter the European market smoothly and drive business growth.
Contact us now for a free initial consultation and quote for your business. Let Zhongshen International Trade be your reliable partner in expanding into international markets and work together to create a bright future for the environmental industry.
