What isCertificate number?

Export agency certificate number (Customs Brokerage License Number) is a unique identification code for agency enterprises registered with China Customs.This 13-digit code consists of the first 4 digits representing the customs code of the enterprises registration location and the last 9 digits being the enterprises sequential number.According to the latest 2025 Customs Declaration Unit Registration Management Regulations,any enterprise engaged in import and export agency business must obtain this certificate number to conduct business.The exclusive identification code for agent enterprises.This code consists of 13 digits,with the first four digits representing the customs code of the enterprise’s registration location,and the last nine digits serving as the enterprise’s sequential number.According to the latest "Regulations on the Administration of Registration of Customs Declaration Units" issued in 2025,any enterprise engaged in import and export agency business must obtain this certification number before they can commence operations.

Professional customs declaration agency enterprises

• Tradecompaniesprovidingimportandexportagencyservices
• Logisticsenterprisesinspecialsupervisionareas
• comprehensiveserviceenterprises
• Entitiesmeetingallthefollowingconditions:
• Entitiesmeetingallthefollowingconditions:
  • Annualcustomsdeclarationagencyvolumeexceeds50transactions
  • Handlingagencyservicesforhigh-riskcategoriessuchasmechanical&electrical/chemicalproducts
  • Conductingprocessingtradeagencybusiness

What materials need to be prepared for the application process?

According to Announcement No.38 of the General Administration of Customs in 2025,the application materials include:

• OriginalCustomsDeclarationUnitFilingInformationForm,
• Duplicateofbusinesslicense(mustincludeimport-exportoperationrights)
• Professionalcustomsdeclarationpersonnelqualificationcertificates(minimum2persons)
• Proofofbusinesspremisesusage(leasecontractorpropertyownershipcertificate)
• ElectronicPortICCardprocessingvoucher

How long is the validity period of the certificate number?

Since the reform in 2024,the annual review system for export agency certificates has been abolished and replaced by a new system.Long-term validity.However,enterprises must update within 15 working days when the following changes occur:

• Changeoflegalrepresentative
• Majoradjustmentofregisteredcapital
• Relocationofbusinesspremises
• Changeofbusinessscope

Common issues in certificate number usage

• Agencyauthoritylimitations:Cannotrepresentspecialregulatedgoodsbeyondauthorizedscope
• Codesharingrisks:Lendingorsharingcertificatenumbersisstrictlyprohibited
• Customsdeclarationformassociation:Eachcustomsdeclarationformmustcorrespondtoaspecificagencyagreement
• ElectronicDeclarationSpecifications:The"ReportingUnit"fieldmustaccuratelyinputthecomplete13-digitcode.

How to verify the authenticity of an agency certificate number?

It is recommended to verify through the following official channels:

• The"EnterpriseRegistrationInquiry"systemontheofficialwebsiteoftheGeneralAdministrationofCustomsofChina
• SingleWindow"EnterpriseQualificationQuery"module
• ManualverificationthroughCustoms12360servicehotline

Typical scenarios of certificate number invalidation

• Nocustomsdeclarationrecordsfor12consecutivemonths
• Revocationofqualificationduetosmugglingviolations
• Failuretopaycustomsdepositontime
• Falseregistrationinformationdiscoveredduringsystemspotchecks

Special business scenario considerations

• Cross-bordere-commerce:Additionalcross-bordere-commerceenterpriseregistrationisrequired
• Bondedlogistics:Specialsupervisioncodesmustbenotedintheremarkscolumnofthecertificatenumber
• Temporaryimport/export:Eachshipmentrequiresseparatesubmissionofguaranteedocuments

Correspondence between certificate numbers and customs declarations

According to the supervision requirements of the General Administration of Customs in 2025,each declaration form must:

• Inthe"ReportingUnit"field,the13-digitcertificatenumbershouldbedisplayedinfull.
• BeaccompaniedbyapaperCustomsDeclarationPowerofAttorney
• Maintainoperationrecordsintheelectronicauthorizationsystemforover3years

What penalties will be imposed for improper use?

• Confiscationofillegalgains(10%-30%ofcasevalue)
• Suspensionofcustomsdeclarationprivilegesfor3-6months
• Downgradeofenterprisecreditrating
• ThelegalrepresentativeisincludedintheCustoms’dishonestlist

It is recommended that enterprises establish in actual operationsDual review mechanism: First,the business department verifies the correspondence between agency agreements and certificate numbers; second,the customs affairs department conducts regular self-checks on system declaration records.When encountering complex business scenarios,professional customs declaration agencies or local customs regulatory authorities should be promptly consulted.