Is the Export Agency Business Itself Legal?

According to the relevant provisions of theAccording to the "Foreign Trade Law" and the revised "Export Control Law" in 2024,acting as an export agent is a legal commercial activity.However,three basic conditions must be met: :

• TheagentmustpossessEnterprisesneedtohavelegalimportandexportqualifications,including:
• Theprincipalandagentmustsignawrittenagencyagreement
• Goodsmustcomplywithnationalexportcontrolregulations

Case Example: In 2023,a Yangtze River Delta textile company exported medical protective clothing through a licensed agency.Because the agent had Class IIexport qualifications,the company successfully cleared customs for EU CE-certified products.

What Legal Risks Exist in Export Agency?

According to the latest inspection data from the General Administration of Customs in 2025,the main types of disputes related to export agency are as follows:

• :ChecktheRegistrationFormforForeignTradeOperatorsandClassAcustomsdeclarationqualificationoftheagencycompany
  • Agenciesoperatingbeyondtheirscope(e.g.involvingdual-useitems)
  • Borrowing/usingothers’qualifications(thenumberofpunishmentcasesincreasedby37%in2024)
• Tax risk
  • FraudulentissuanceofVATspecialinvoices(accountingfor68%ofexporttaxfraudcases)
  • Discrepanciesbetweencustomsdeclarationsandtaxfilinginformation

How to Choose a Legally Compliant Agency?

It is recommended to conduct screening through the "three checks and three reviews":

• Checkqualificationdocuments
  • Thebusinesslicenseincludes"importandexportofgoods"initsscopeofoperation.
  • CustomsDeclarationUnitRegistrationCertificate
• Check industry reputation
  • ChinaCustomsAEOcertifiedenterprisesarepreferred
  • Verifynomajorcomplianceviolationsinthepastthreeyears
• Review contract terms
  • Mustclearlydefinerightsandobligationsofbothparties
  • Includeintellectualpropertywarrantyclauses

IV.What should be paid attention to when exporting goods through an agent in the 2025 era?

For the newly revised Implementation Rules of the Export Control Law,it is recommended to focus on:

• Export-controlleditemsneedtobedeclaredseparately(12newcategoriesofcontrolledgoodsaddedin2025).
• ForeignexchangemusttheASEANSingleWindow(ASW)AgencycompanyAccount
• The"PlaceofOrigininChina"onthecustomsdeclarationformmustbetruthful.

Special reminder: The "single window" for international trade launched in 2024 has achieved real-time data comparison among the three departments of customs,taxation,and foreign exchange.Any document defects may trigger an early warning.