When Presbyopia Meets Import Trade: Aforeign tradeInsights from an experienced professional

Hello everyone, Im Lao Zhang with 20 years ofimport and exportLao Zhang in trade. Recently, he has handled the import business of presbyopic glasses for many customers and found that for this seemingly simple commodity, there are so many tricks from overseas procurement to domestic listing. Today, I will organize these practical experiences into a guide to help you avoid the pitfalls I once fell into.

I. The Eye - testing Link before Import: These Preparations are Necessary

Just as you need to have your eyes tested before getting reading glasses, you also need to do a vision check before importing:

• HS Code confirmation: Reading glasses are usually classified into 9004.1000, but sunglasses with prescription should be classified into 9004.9010. This code is directly related to a 6% - 12% tariff and a 13% VAT.
• Regulatory Condition Verification: Special attention is neededIt is recommended to verify through the following methods:requirements. Last year, a customer paid 5% more in tariffs due to the lack of the ASEAN FORM E certificate
• Qualification Preparation:Medical EquipmentFiling is a common minefield. Ordinary presbyopic glasses do not require it, but if they claim therapeutic functions, they may be regarded as medical devices

I remember helping a chain store in Shenzhen import German reading glasses last year. Just because the product description contained the words relieve eye fatigue, we were almost required to handle a medical device registration certificate. Finally, we managed to clear customs smoothly by modifying the outer packaging description.

II. The Pupillary Distance Adjustment in International Transportation: Logistics Details Determine Success or Failure

The transportation link is like measuring the pupillary distance when fitting glasses. A tiny error can lead to a huge difference:

• Packaging Requirements: Lenses must be packaged separately with shock - proof measures. We once encountered a case where a whole box of lenses had fine cracks due to transportation vibration
• Temperature-controlled transportation: Some high - end lens materials are sensitive to temperature.Air TransportationSpecial markings should be made at this time
• Consistency of documents: The degree parameters on the invoice must be completely consistent with the actual products. The customs will randomly open the boxes for inspection

There is a painful lesson: Once, the packing list provided by the customer wrote UA400 instead of UV400, resulting in the entire batch of goods being detained for inspection, and an additional 8000 yuan was spent on container demurrage fees.

III. The Vision Test in Customs Clearance: These Red Lines Cannot be Crossed

Customs clearance is like a vision check, and any gray area may make you unable to see clearly:

• CIQ inspection: Optical center deviation, vertex power deviation, etc. are key inspection items. The unqualified rate of spot checks last year was as high as 15%.
• Label review: Chinese labels such as the implementation standard (e.g., GB/T 13511-2011), optical parameters, and material description must be included.
• Price Declaration: The customs will focus on reviewing the transaction price of high - end products such as progressive multifocal lenses

It is recommended to reserve at least 3 working days for legal inspection, especially for new models imported for the first time. The professional laboratory we cooperate with can conduct pre - inspections, which can reduce the probability of port spot checks.

IV. The Professional Optometrists Advice in the Customs Consumption Tips

Combined with the customs consumption tips, here are some purchasing suggestions for importers:

• Complete optometry data is required: When purchasing, importers should require suppliers to provide complete optometry parameters, which are crucial for domestic sales
• Material certificates are indispensable: Especially for new frame materials such as TR90, a material safety certificate from the original factory is required.
• Aging - friendly design is a plus>“Features such as non - slip temple arms and lightweight design can be selling points, but they need to be specified separately during customs declaration.

Recently, a certain Japanese brand of presbyopic glasses imported for a customer was particularly popular among the domestic elderly consumer group due to the attached portable optometry cards and lens cleaning kits.

V. Prescription for Glasses Fitting for Beginners: Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can presbyopic glasses be imported without the right to import and export?
A: It is possible to declare with a dual - header. We provide import and export agency services. Last year, we helped 37 optical stores complete their first - order imports.

Q: What are the special requirements for sample imports?
A: It is recommended that the quantity per batch does not exceed 10 pairs. If the declared value is less than 800 yuan, the sample duty - free policy can be applied.

Q:Cross-border E-commerceWhich mode is more suitable, [mode name] or traditional trade?
A: For high - end products with a single - pair value exceeding 2000 yuan, it is recommended to adopt the general trade method. For affordable products, the cross - border e - commerce B2C model can be considered.

In short, importing presbyopic glasses is like fitting glasses for an enterprise. Whether the degree is accurate and whether it is comfortable to wear depends on the professional control of each link. If you have any questions, feel free to consult me, the optometrist. I guarantee to provide you with the most suitable vision solution!