CE marking and import: what it takes to sell in Europe
20 June 2026
A product can be perfect in quality terms and still be unsellable in Europe. Regulatory conformity is a legal requirement for placing goods on the Union market, and it must be verified before the order, not when the goods are already at customs.
What CE marking really is
CE marking is not a quality mark, nor a certification issued by a generic body: it is the declaration, by the manufacturer or importer, that the product complies with all applicable EU directives and regulations. Affixing the marking without the proper basis exposes you to penalties and to product withdrawal.
Who is responsible
When importing from a third country such as China, the European importer takes on precise responsibilities: they must ensure the manufacturer has carried out the required assessments and that the documentation exists and is correct. In practice, responsibility falls on whoever places the product on the market.
The most common requirements
- Applicable directives and regulations: vary by category (e.g. Machinery, Low Voltage, Electromagnetic Compatibility).
- REACH and RoHS: chemicals and hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment.
- Technical file: the documentation that demonstrates conformity, to be kept and made available.
- EU declaration of conformity: the document that accompanies the product.
- Test reports: test reports from accredited laboratories.
Verifying conformity before the order costs a fraction of what a batch blocked at customs costs.
How Liwola steps in
Liwola builds conformity verification into the supplier-selection process: it checks technical documentation, declarations and test reports, and flags gaps before they become a blocker. The goal is simple: what arrives in Europe must be not only of good quality, but legally sellable.
Importing a product that must be compliant for the EU market? Talk to Liwola.