Iron ore as an important commodity import, plays an important role in the economic development of our country. With the increase of iron ore imports, standardization declaration, ensuring quality, compliance with customs regulation requirements becomes especially important. In the process of importing iron ore, how to ensure that iron ore meets the regulatory requirements of our country and quickly customs, to avoid delays and economic losses caused by non-standardization or non-standardization of quality?

Basic knowledge of iron mining

What is Iron Mine?

Iron minerals are minerals that contain iron elements or iron compounds, which can be economically utilized, and are important raw materials for steel production. Iron minerals are of a wide variety, the main ones with industrial use value include:

(1) Hematite: Iron oxide mineral with high iron content.

(2) Limonite: Hydrated iron oxide mineral with high iron content.

(3) Magnetite: Mineral containing ferrous oxide and iron oxide.

(4) Pyrite: Iron sulfide mineral.

(5) Siderite: Iron carbonate mineral.

Main iron mining areas

Mainstream mines: mainly from Australia and Brazil, which have huge iron ore reserves and stable quality.

Non-mainstream mines: regions such as India include areas where iron mineral quality fluctuates significantly.

Regulatory declaration of imports of iron ore

According to the relevant announcement of the General Administration of Customs (publication of the General Administration of Customs 2019 No. 159 and 2020 No. 69), the receiver or agent of the imported iron ore must issue the imported iron ore weight and quality certificate to the customs application. When declaring, the complete declaration model should be selected once, and the weight certificate, quality certificate option should be selected.

Imported iron ore needs to be checked

External coverage testing.

? Pesticide substances: such as discovery of trapped soil, weeds, residues of animal and plant diseases, etc., need to be disposed of and processed after qualifying for importation.

Non-preventive impurities: such as non-preventive foreign impurities, which need to be processed technically, and which can be discharged after qualifying; goods that cannot be handled or which are prohibited from importing impurities must be returned.

2 Radioactive testing

In accordance with the Procedure for the Radioactive Inspection of Imported Mineral Products (SN/T 1537), the Customs shall conduct the radioactive inspection of iron ore at the first place of entry.When the dose equivalence ofγ radiation in the goods is higher than 10 times the local environmental radiation bottom value, it shall be deemed unqualified.

3 Screening of waste

The customs in the process of unloading, the iron mineral solid waste screening, through sensory inspection and solid waste screener auxiliary inspection. If there is no abnormality is considered to be released; if there is an abnormality, the sample must be sent to inspect to determine whether solid waste.

4 Quality testing

In accordance with the requirements of imported iron ore regulation, the customs authorities shall carry out sampling and certificate of quality of iron ore for which the carrier has applied for inspection.

(1) Sampling: Collect timed and quantified samples during unloading.

(2) Sample processing: Samples undergo mixing, division, moisture testing, particle size testing, crushing, and grinding to prepare analytical samples.

(3) Laboratory testing: Determine content of total iron, sulfur, silicon dioxide, aluminum oxide, phosphorus, etc., according to current standards, and issue inspection reports.

Customs inspection of imported iron ore

1 Customs report

The first step of goods entering the process of customs supervision is to submit the required documents for customs reporting.

2 Inspection on site

Customs carries out on-site inspections of customs declared goods, including product name verification, container inspection, solid waste screening, radioactive inspection and so on.

Testing whether qualified

(a) Qualified: Customs releases goods for subsequent logistics distribution.

(b) Non-compliant: Take corresponding handling measures based on specific issues, such as return shipment, pest control treatment, quality inspection, etc.

4 Follow-up disposal

(a) Compliant: Customs inspection and release.

(b) Non-compliant: Return shipment or pest control treatment, and issue weight certificate, quality inspection report and quality certificate as needed.

V. Specific suggestions

Customs carries out differentiated inspections on imported iron ore based on different sources, minerals, size of ships, iron content, traders and other factors, optimize customs processes and improve efficiency.

Importing iron ore involves multiple links and strict regulatory requirements, and familiarity with and compliance with these regulations is crucial for smooth customs. By understanding iron ore basic knowledge, declaration requirements, inspection content and customs processes in detail, enterprises can effectively avoid risks and ensure goods pass through customs quickly and efficiently. Hopefully this article will provide valuable references to relevant enterprises to help them succeed in international trade. If you need more professional advice or services, welcome to contact our team, we will be happy to serve you.