What exactly is the number?

The export agent number (Customs Broker Code) is issued by the General Administration of Customs to enterprises with customs declaration qualifications.13-digit code,It consists of a 4-digit customs district code and a 9-digit organization code.Since the implementation of the General Administration of Customs Announcement No.127 in 2019,this code has become an essential qualification credential for customs declaration enterprises to conduct business.

Why is it necessary to apply for this number separately?

According to current regulatory requirements,the export agent number serves three core functions:

• IdentityAuthentication:Verifythelegalbusinessqualificationsofthecustomsdeclarationenterprise
• Liabilitytracing:Establishthecorrelationbetweencustomsdeclarationbehaviorandthespecifichandlingpersonnel
• Dataregulation:Achieveunifiedcollectionandanalysisofnationalcustomsdeclarationdata

How to verify the authenticity of an existing agent’s ID number?

Enterprises can verify through the following two official channels:

• ChinaInternationalTradeSingleWindow(https://www.singlewindow.cn)
  • Enterthe"EnterpriseQualification"querymodule
  • Pleaseentertheenterprisenameorunifiedsocialcreditcode.
• General Administration of Customs Official Website - Enterprise Information Publicity System

Is this number required for self-operated export?

According to the latest amendment of the "Regulations on the Administration of Registration of Declarants" issued by the General Administration of Customs in 2024:

• Manufacturingenterprises:Self-filingdoesnotrequirethisnumber.
• tradingcompanies：Whenentrustinganagenttohandlecustomsdeclaration,itismandatorytoverifytheotherparty’sregistrationnumber.
• :Regardlessofthecustomsclearancemodeadopted,itisnecessarytoprovide

How long is the validity period of the export agent number?

The number itself has no expiration date,but please note three possible scenarios that may render it invalid:

• Theenterprisevoluntarilycancelsitscustomsdeclarationqualification.
• Annualcustomsauditfailed.
• Theenterprisehaditsqualificationrevokedduetomajorviolations.

What materials are required to apply for an export agent number?

The applying enterprise shall prepare the following core documents:

• "CustomsDeclarationUnitRegistrationInformationForm"(requireslegalrepresentative’ssignatureandseal)
• Scannedcopyofthebusinesslicense
• Copyofthelegalrepresentative’sidentitydocument
• DocumentofAppointmentforCustomsDeclarationBusinessManager
• ProofofRighttoUseBusinessPremises

How long does the entire application process take?

According to the latest customs clearance facilitation policies in 2025,the standard approval process is:

• Materialsubmission:1businessday(electronicfiling)
• Customsreview:Completedwithin3businessdays.
• On-siteverification:Thesamplingprobabilityisapproximately15%.
• IssuanceofCertificate:Anelectroniccredentialwillbegeneratedthenextdayuponapproval.

What are the common misconceptions about the use of export agent numbers?

Based on our experience with over 200 corporate cases,special attention should be paid to:

• Misconception:Believingthat"agrouponlyneedsoneregistrationnumber"(inreality,eachlegalentitymustapplyseparately).
• OperationalRisk:UsingUnregisteredAgentCodesAcrossCustomsZones
• LegalConsequences:Lendingouttheregistrationnumbermayresultinafinerangingfrom100,000to500,000yuan.

How to handle lost serial numbers or information changes?

Enterprises must complete the procedures within 30 days from the date of the change:

• InformationChange:Applyonlineviathe"ChinaInternationalTradeSingleWindow".
• CertificateReissuance:Submitawrittenapplicationtothecustomsattheplaceofregistration.
• Emergencyhandling:Theunifiedsocialcreditcodecanbetemporarilyusedasasubstitute.

How to verify the authenticity of the number when selecting an agent?

It is recommended to make a comprehensive judgment based on three dimensions:

• SystemVerification:Theaforementionedofficialinquirychannels
• DocumentVerification:Certifieddocumentsbearingtheofficialsealarerequired.
• HistoricalTrace:Querythecustomsdeclarationrecordsofthisnumberforthepast3years.