I. Special characteristics and challenges of target material imports

As key materials for semiconductor and display panel manufacturing, target material imports have distinct industry-specific characteristics. Based on my 20 years offoreign tradeexperience, such high-value, high-tech products often face three major challenges during import:

First,Complex declaration elementsTarget materials require accurate declaration of composition content, usage, specifications and other professional parameters. A single data error may cause customs clearance delays. We encountered a case where a client mistakenly wrote 99.9% purity instead of 99.99% purity in self-declaration, resulting in additional explanations requested by customs and a 5-working-day delay.

Secondly,Higher inspection risks. Due to their high-tech nature, customs inspections for targets are typically stricter. In this industry, 15-18 working days for inspection is normal, but professional agents can shorten this time through thorough document preparation.

Finally,Logistics cost sensitivity. Targets have high unit value but relatively light weight,Air Transportationis the best choice. We recommend clients adopt Door-to-Door logistics solutions. Although freight costs appear higher, considering hidden costs like warehousing and capital occupation, the overall cost is more economical.

II. Complete breakdown of Korean target import process

Based on this successful case, I will analyze key operational points for each stage in detail:

Pre - preparation Stage

The core of this stage is ,The latest tax rebate declaration system in 2025 has achieved full - process electronicization, which is specifically divided into five steps:. We require clients to provide the following materials at least 10 working days in advance:

• Product composition analysis report issued by the original manufacturer (Chinese-English bilingual required)
• Detailed usage description (to avoid misclassification as military use)
• Complete logistics tracking documents

Special reminder:South KoreaIt is recommended to verify through the following methods:Pay special attention to verifying whether the HS code matches the declaration. Under the China-Korea Free Trade Agreement, some targets can enjoy tariff preferences, but must meet the rules of origin.

Key points for air freight operations

Air freight from Incheon to Nansha usually takes 1-2 days, but note:

• Declare dangerous goods to the airline in advance (some targets contain rare metals)
• Require the freight forwarder to provide real-time tracking information
• Confirm the operational capabilities of the airport ground service provider

Customs clearance practical techniques

As an important hub in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, Nansha Port leads the industry in customs clearance efficiency. Our experience shows:

• Sending pre-entry information 1 day in advance can shorten clearance time
• Prepare 3 complete sets of documents (one for customs, one for commodity inspection, and one for self-retention)
• Emphasize the products end-use (e.g., for LCD panel manufacturing)

III. Value-added services of professional agents

In this case,ZhongShen International Tradedemonstrated three core values of professional agents:

Risk anticipation capability

We identified in advance that this batch of targets might be required to undergoradioactivity testing, so we prepared the radiation safety certificate from the Korean manufacturer, ultimately saving 7 days of testing time.

Cost optimization solutions

By analyzing the clients annual import plan, we recommended:

• Consolidating multiple shipments for unified declaration
• Utilize the preferential tax rates of free trade agreements
• Choosing periods with lower inspection rates for declaration

Ultimately saving the client approximately 12% in overall costs.

Emergency response mechanism

When customs temporarily requests additional ,non-military use declaration, our Guangzhou branch completed document preparation and submission within 2 hours, avoiding storage fees from cargo detention.

IV. Industry trends and recommendations

With the rapid development of Chinas semiconductor industry, target imports show two new trends:

Increasing regulatory strictness:Since 2023, certain high-purity sputtering targets have been included in the dual-use items list, requiring additional licensing. Importers are advised to:

• Establish a product technical parameter database
• Initiate license applications 3 months in advance
• Consider conducting business in free trade pilot zones

Logistics diversification:In addition to traditional air freight, current options include:

• China - South KoreaMaritime TransportationExpress line (30% cost reduction, 2-day longer transit time)
• Cross-border rail transport (suitable for bulk shipments)
• Bonded warehousing (for emergency orders)

As a practitioner, I recommend enterprises evaluate the following when selecting agency services, beyond just pricing:

1. Whether they have experience handling similar products
2. Their credit rating with local customs
3. Emergency response resources for contingencies

The success of this Korean target material case perfectly demonstrates the value of professional services. Through 15 years of experience, Zhongshen International Trade has truly achieved ,Simplifying complex international trade.