To import circuit breakers from China safely: define the exact specification (poles, rated current, breaking capacity, trip curve, standard), check which certificate your customs requires, order samples, pay against a proforma invoice, insist on carton photos before loading, and ship FOB or CIF with the full document set. The certificate for the exact ordering code matters more than the brand name on the box.
Key facts
- Specify by ordering code, not by “32 A MCB”. Poles, curve, breaking capacity and standard all change the price and the certificate.
- Customs decides the certificate: G-Mark, SABER, EAC, SONCAP, KEBS PVoC, GOEIC and others are not interchangeable. See import certificates by country.
- Stocked series start from a few hundred pieces per model; custom marking or coil voltage follows the factory MOQ.
- Samples for stocked items usually dispatch in 1–3 working days.
- Standard terms: FOB, CFR or CIF Ningbo or Shanghai; DDP on request.
Step 1 — Write the specification
For an MCB, write the series, number of poles, rated current, trip curve (B, C or D), breaking capacity (6 kA or 10 kA) and the standard it is certified to. For a contactor, add coil voltage and coil frequency. A vague request produces a vague quotation, and the cheapest quotation is often the one that left something out. Not sure which range fits? Start with the product catalogue or the cross-reference page if you work from European model numbers.
Step 2 — Find out which certificate your customs needs
Certificates belong to the manufacturer and the exact tested model; they are not transferable between brands. A breaker that clears in Dubai may be held in Moscow or Lagos. Ask your clearing agent or importer which scheme applies to your country and who must hold it — in some markets the applicant must be a local company.
Step 3 — Request a complete quotation
A useful quotation lists unit price by ordering code, packing data (pieces per carton, carton size, gross weight, CBM), lead time, validity, and the certificate list. If a quotation omits accessories such as auxiliary contacts or shunt releases, it is not comparable with one that includes them.
Step 4 — Order samples and check them
Ask for one or two units of each critical code. Check the printed ratings against the datasheet, scan the QR code, compare the laser-etched batch with the paperwork, and — on a first order — open one unit to look at the arc chute and contact material. Our genuine-product checklist lists each check.
Step 5 — Agree payment terms on a proforma invoice
For trial orders, 100% before shipment or 30% deposit with 70% against a copy of the bill of lading is common. Larger orders can be paid by T/T or L/C at sight. Whatever you agree, the proforma should carry the ordering codes, quantities, incoterm and port.
Step 6 — Consolidate and inspect before loading
Mixed orders — breakers, boards, cable accessories — are easier to control when they are consolidated in one warehouse. Ask for photos of your cartons (not stock photos) and a packing-list audit before the container is loaded. This is the cheapest point in the whole process to find a mistake. See why Yiwu works for mixed orders.
Step 7 — Ship and collect the document set
| Document | What it is for |
|---|---|
| Commercial invoice | Customs valuation and duty calculation |
| Packing list | Cartons, pieces per carton, gross weight and CBM — audited against the physical cargo |
| Bill of lading / air waybill | Title to the goods and release at destination |
| Product certificate(s) | Conformity proof for the exact ordering codes (CB, CE, EAC, SONCAP, G-Mark…, as your country requires) |
| Certificate of origin | Only where your customs or a trade agreement asks for it |
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum order quantity?
Stocked series start from a few hundred pieces per model. Custom marking, private-label packaging or special coil voltages follow the factory MOQ.
Can I order samples first?
Yes. Stocked items dispatch in 1–3 working days, and the sample cost is refunded against a container order.
Which shipping terms are standard?
FOB, CFR or CIF Ningbo or Shanghai. DDP is available on request.
How do I know the breakers are genuine?
Buy through an authorised channel, ask for batch traceability and the certificate for the exact ordering code, and check a sample on arrival. See how to verify an authorised CHINT distributor.
Get a real quotation, not a brochure.
Send model or photo · quantity · destination country · grid (V / Hz / 1φ or 3φ) · required certificate. You get unit price, packing data (carton / pcs / GW / CBM), lead time and the certificate list in one message, within 24 hours.
Reviewed by the HAZAM technical team, October 2026. CHINT, DELIXI and TENGEN are trademarks of their respective owners. HAZAM is a first-tier authorised distributor of CHINT products; the authorisation certificate is available on request from our sales manager. Ratings and designations refer to published manufacturer documentation; the certificate for your exact ordering code governs.