Chongqing - A medical device manufacturer in southwest China has completed the region's first bonded repair operation for medical equipment, creating a new after-sales service model for Chinese-made high-end medical devices exported overseas.

The operation saw Chongqing Xishan Science & Technology Co., Ltd. service 15 minimally invasive surgical devices and components at the Chongqing Lianglu Guoyuan Port Comprehensive Bonded Zone before shipping them back overseas.

Some of Chongqing Xishan Science & Technology's medical device products. (Photo/Chongqing Xishan Science & Technology)

Bonded repair refers to a system in which companies inside a comprehensive bonded zone bring imported or returned goods into the zone for repair under bonded status, meaning they can temporarily defer import duties and related taxes without providing tax guarantees.

The policy is designed to reduce financial pressure on companies while improving the efficiency of international maintenance services.

Previously, Chinese manufacturers of high-end medical devices faced challenges when exported equipment required repairs overseas.

Due to restrictions under China's catalog of prohibited imports of used mechanical and electrical products, companies often had to send engineers abroad for on-site repairs or replace faulty equipment with new products. They could also rely on authorized third-party repair services, but these approaches increased costs.

Xishan, which develops and manufactures minimally invasive surgical equipment, had faced similar challenges.

The company has more than 1,300 valid patents in China and overseas, with products exported to more than 40 countries and regions, including markets in Latin America, Europe and Southeast Asia.

Previously, when overseas customers' equipment malfunctioned, the company needed to dispatch engineers with spare parts abroad or replace entire devices.

A representative from Xishan's Chongqing Liangjiang New Area branch said the bonded repair policy allows faulty equipment from global markets to be returned to Chongqing, repaired with original components by professional research and maintenance teams, and then shipped back overseas.

"Under the current bonded repair policy, our overall repair costs can be reduced by 20%," the representative said. "Global faulty equipment can be brought back to Chongqing for standardized maintenance, with better quality control."

As the first company in southwest China approved to conduct bonded repair for medical devices, Xishan has established a branch inside the comprehensive bonded zone to carry out repair services for products including surgical power systems, endoscopy systems, ultrasonic surgical equipment, plasma surgical equipment and high-frequency surgical devices. The company plans to develop a global repair center in the future.

The Chongqing Free Trade Port Area Group, which manages related bonded zone operations, said the area has attracted various bonded repair industries, including electronic information, auto parts and medical devices. The comprehensive bonded zone is developing a coordinated ecosystem combining bonded processing, remanufacturing, inspection and repair services.