What isCertificate number?What forms are recognized by customs?

The export agency certificate number is a 13-digit code issued by the customs (e.g.5312202500123).Under the current system in 2025,there are three legal forms of this certificate:

• Paper-basedcertificate:Mustbeaffixedwiththeofficialsealoftheagencyenterpriseandthecustomsinspectionseal.
• Electronicversioncertificate:PDFencryptedfilesdownloadedthroughtheSingleWindowforInternationalTrade
• Dataassociationproof:Electronicallygeneratedvouchersautomaticallyboundtothecustomsdeclarationnumber(newlyaddedinAnnouncementNo.79oftheGeneralAdministrationofCustomsin2023)

II.How to verify the validity of an export agency certificate number?

Three verification methods available in 2025:

• SingleWindowSystemVerification:
  • PleaselogintotheChinaInternationalTradeSingleWindow.
  • Enterthe"CustomsClearanceDataQuery"module
  • Pleaseenterthe13-digitcertificatenumberandtheenterprisecreditcode.
• Verify on the official website of the General Administration of Customs: Monthly Updated List of Valid Certification Numbers for Public Disclosure
• Query on third-party certification platform: Verification services provided by financial institutions such as Sinosure.

III.How long is the validity period of the proof number?Will there be any new changes in 2025?

According to the latest regulations issued by the General Administration of Customs in 2025:

• Regulargoods:Validfor180daysfromthedateofissuance.
• Goodsinspecialcustomssupervisionareas:Thevalidityperiodisshortenedto90days.
• Dangerousgoods:Itisnecessarytocompletethecustomsclearancewithin30days(accordingtotherevisedversionoftheHazardousChemicalsManagementRegulationsin2024).

IV.How to remedy an incorrect agent certification number on the customs declaration form?

It should be handled on a case-by-case basis:

• Errorsdiscoveredbeforecustomsdeclaration:
  • Pleaseimmediatelycontactthecustomsofficeattheplaceofdeclarationtoapplyfordatawithdrawal.
  • Whenre-declaring,indicate"AmendedDeclaration"intheremarkscolumn.
• The goods were found to be incorrect after being released.:
  • Submitthe"StatementofCircumstances"andoriginalsupportingdocumentstoCustoms.
  • Applyfordatacorrectionthroughthe"CustomsAffairsContactForm"system.
  • Forcasesinvolvingtaxrefunds,thetaxauthoritiesmustbenotifiedsimultaneously.

V.How to Prevent the Risk of Certificate Numbers When Entrusting an Agent for Export?

It is recommended to take the following measures:

• SelectanAEO-certifiedagencycompany:Theerrorrateofcustoms-certifiedenterprisesis37%lowerthantheindustryaverage.
• Clarifyresponsibilityallocation:Thecontractstipulatesthedataverificationprocessandtimeline.
• Establishadual-reviewmechanism:Enterprisesconductsecondaryverificationonthesinglewindowplatformindependently.
• Retaincommunicationrecords:Allproofnumberhandoversmustbeconfirmedinwriting.

6.What is the relationship between the certificate number and the customs declaration number?How can they be cross-referenced for inquiry?

By 2025,the customs system has achieved automatic binding between two numbers:

• Enteranynumberinthe"CustomsDataQuery"interfaceoftheSingleWindow.
• Thesystemwilldisplaythecompleteassociateddatachain,including:
  • Customsdeclarationstatus
  • Cargoreleasetime
  • Taxrefundassociatedrecords

VII.What remedial measures are available when the agent certification number becomes invalid?

There are two processing scenarios:

• Notexceedingtheclaimtimelimit:
  • Applyforanextension(upto30days)fromtheoriginalissuingcustomsauthority.
  • Submittheproofofnon-shipmentofgoodsandtheagencyagreement.
• The claim period has expired.:
  • Anewcertificatenumberneedstobereappliedfor.
  • Theoriginalcertificatenumberisvoidandrequirescancellationprocedures.
  • Fordeclareddata,adatachangeisrequired.

8.How to prove the authenticity of the agency relationship during customs inspection?

It is recommended to prepare three sets of supporting documents:

• Basicdocuments:Originalnotarizedpowerofattorney
• FundCertificate:Agencyfeepaymentrecordsandinvoices
• Operationlog:CargoHandoverForm,TransportAuthorizationLetter,etc.