1. What international certifications are required for wheelchair exports?

Depending on the service area, three types of certifications require special attention:

• EU market: CE Certification (EN12184 Medical Equipment Standard) + ISO13485 Quality System
• North American market: FDA Registration (21 CFR 890.3850) + UL Electrical Safety Certification
• Asia-Pacific Markets: Japan JIS T9203 certification / Australia TGA registration + China GB/T 12996 standard

In 2023, while representing our German client, we completed the MDR new regulation upgrade ahead of schedule, enabling the product to enter the EU market three months earlier than similar products.

II. How to Design the Optimal Transportation Plan?

A comprehensive consideration of product characteristics and target markets is required:

• European routes: Recommend full container load (FCL)?Ocean shipping?+China-Europe Railway Express(Processing time: 25-30 days, breakage rate <0.3%)
• American routes:40HQ container shipping + truck delivery (Note the new FBA warehouse appointment policy)
• Special scenarios: Electric wheelchair?air freight?UN38.3 test report + short-circuit-proof packaging required

III. How to Optimize Cross-border Taxation?

Key Focus Areas for 2025:

• European Union: VAT Deferred Clearance (VAT deferred declaration can save 20% cash flow)
• United States: HTS code confirmation (manual wheelchairs 8713.10 / electric wheelchairs 8713.20 to be distinguished)
• Australia: GST registration (10% consumption tax can be transferred to the buyer)

It is recommended to leverage the RCEP agreement to reduce tariffs among ASEAN member states to 0-5%.

IV. How to Establish an Overseas After-Sales Service System?

• Basic configuration:
  • Inventory of spare parts in bonded warehouses in target countries (recommended to be no less than 3% of annual sales).
  • Local Authorized Service Center Certification (must include qualification of wheelchair repair technician)
• Digital Tools: It is recommended to integrate the IoT remote diagnostic system, which has been proven in 2024 to reduce repair costs by 35%.

5. How to Select Target Markets?

According to customs data, it is recommended to focus on:

• Mature market: Germany (average annual import growth of 12%), Japan (premium of 30% for age-friendly products)
• Emerging markets: Saudi Arabia (new medical equipment added to government procurement list), Vietnam (import tariffs reduced to 5%)

VI. How to cope with exchange rate fluctuations?

Implementation Plan:

• Lock in the forward exchange rate when signing the contract (recommended cycle of 3-6 months).
• Adopting cross-border RMB settlement (covering 30 countries, including major wheelchair procurement nations such as the UAE)
• Apply for CITIC Export Credit Insurance's exchange rate fluctuation insurance (coverage range ±5%).

7. What should be noted in the contract terms?

• Matters that must be clarified:
  • Trade Terms (Differences in Applicable Scenarios for FOB/CIF)
  • Quality Dispute Resolution Process (It is recommended to retain 5% of the goods' value as a quality assurance deposit)
• Risk clauses: Ownership of Intellectual Property (Particularly Improved Wheelchair Designs)

8. How to choose the agency cooperation model?

Based on the company size, it is recommended that:

• Small and medium-sized agents: Non-exclusive agency + Regional protection policy
• Major distributors: OEM Private Label + Exclusive Agency (Annual Purchase Volume Must Be Guaranteed)

In 2024, a Middle Eastern client successfully secured a government medical procurement tender through an exclusive agency agreement.

9. What adaptive improvements does the product require?

• Physical adaptation: Differences in body types between European and American users (seat width needs to be increased by 2-3 inches)
• Environment Adaptation: Nordic Anti-Slip Tires / Middle East High-Temperature Resistant Batteries
• Cultural adaptation: Islamic countries prohibit the use of pigskin material components.

10. What to do in case of trade disputes?

It is recommended to adopt a three-tier processing mechanism:

• Phase One: Negotiate according to the warranty terms of the contract
• Phase Two: Submit to arbitration under the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC)
• Final solution：Temporary admission using the ATA Carnet.?Import/export?