China, in particular, has solidified its position as a global leader in fire equipment supply. Data shows that China produces 48% of the world’s fire extinguishers, totaling 77 million units annually, while its domestic consumption stands at 34 million units—making it the world’s largest exporter of fire safety equipment. This production surplus has driven robust export growth to regions including North America, Europe, and emerging markets in Southeast Asia and Africa, where demand for cost-effective and compliant fire safety solutions is rising.
Regulatory harmonization and stricter compliance requirements are reshaping the import landscape. Since the implementation of China’s General Administration of Customs Announcement No. 37 in 2025, the import supervision system for fire equipment has become more standardized, with enhanced intelligent inspection and full-process traceability. Statistics indicate that the number of return cases due to non-compliant certifications increased by 42% in the first two quarters of 2025 compared to the same period last year, with 70% of these cases involving qualification issues of suppliers from emerging markets.
The global market size for fire safety equipment reached USD 75.4 billion in 2025 and is projected to grow to USD 80.76 billion in 2026, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.11% through 2035. This growth is further supported by the rising adoption of IoT-enabled smart fire safety systems, with nearly 61% of new installations now incorporating AI-driven detection and monitoring tools. North America remains the largest market, accounting for 34% of global share, while Asia-Pacific is the fastest-growing region, driven by rapid urbanization and infrastructure development.
Industry experts note that compliance and technological innovation are key competitive factors in the import-export market. For importers, selecting agents with AEO advanced certification, special equipment operation licenses, and international certification capabilities (such as UL, FM, and CE) has become crucial to avoiding customs delays and compliance risks. A notable case saw an enterprise incur over 120,000 yuan in container detention fees after its fire extinguisher shipment was detained for 37 days due to incomplete declaration of pressure vessel information.
Sustainability and eco-friendliness are also emerging as important trends in global trade. There has been a significant surge in demand for fluorine-free and biodegradable fire extinguishing agents, reflecting a global shift toward green safety solutions. Additionally, tariff adjustments are influencing trade flows: for example, the comprehensive tax rate for automatic sprinkler system components in China has been reduced from 14.7% to 12.3%, while a 3% environmental protection tax has been added for aerosol fire extinguishing devices.
Major players in the global market, including Johnson Controls, Honeywell, Siemens AG, and Rosenbauer, are focusing on technological innovation and regional expansion to capture emerging opportunities. Meanwhile, regional specialists are competing fiercely in cost-sensitive markets, particularly in developing economies where infrastructure investment is booming.
Looking ahead, the fire safety equipment import-export market is expected to continue its growth trajectory, driven by ongoing urbanization, stricter regulatory enforcement, and the adoption of smart and sustainable technologies. Industry insiders emphasize that businesses engaged in cross-border trade must prioritize compliance, invest in technological upgrades, and build resilient supply chains to navigate the evolving global landscape successfully.