Checklist
Importing hardware from China into the EU: a compliance checklist
The EU treats importers as legally responsible for a supplier's compliance gaps. Here is what to check before the container ships.
- 01
Get your supplier's technical file and test reports before you pay the deposit
As the importer, you inherit legal responsibility for a product's compliance the moment you place it on the EU market, even if a factory made every design decision. Ask for the technical file, test reports and Declaration of Conformity before committing to an order.
- 02
Confirm which CE directives and standards actually apply to your product
The exact list depends on your product category and features (mains power, wireless, batteries and so on). Check the full requirements before you agree a factory's compliance claims match what you actually need.
- 03
Check RoHS substance restrictions in the bill of materials
Hazardous-substance rules apply to components and materials, not just the finished product, so they usually need supplier declarations or lab evidence reaching back into your bill of materials.
- 04
Put your own name and address on the product as importer
EU product safety law requires traceability information, including the responsible operator's contact details, to reach the end consumer, which is a separate duty from the factory's own marking obligations.
- 05
Keep the paperwork for as long as the regulation requires
Retention periods are set per directive rather than generically. Several CE directives, for example the Low Voltage Directive, require keeping the technical file and Declaration of Conformity for ten years after the equipment is placed on the market.
Get the exact list for your product
Run the checker with your product's real attributes and markets.