How to judge whether an agency company has legal qualifications?

When choosing importit is necessary to verify the following core qualification documents:

• CustomsAEOcertification(2025newversionincludesblockchainfilingidentification)
• TheRecordFormofInternationalFreightForwardingEnterprisesissuedbytheMinistryofCommerce
• RecordationandRegistrationCertificateoftheStateAdministrationofForeignExchange
• ISO9001QualitySystemCertification(NewEditionStandard2024)

What basic documents should an enterprise prepare before entrusting an agency?

It is recommended to prepare the following document packages three months in advance:

• Basicenterpriseinformation
  • Newversionofthebusinesslicense(integrationofthreecertificatesintoone)
  • Bankaccountopeningpermitandforeignexchangeaccountinformation
• Trade qualification documents
  • Record-filingFormfortheRegistrationofBusinessOperationRight
  • Importandexportlicenseforspecificcommodities(suchasRequiresCFDAcertification)

What are the new changes in customs declaration in 2025?

According to Announcement No.38 of 2025 issued by the General Administration of Customs,the following points require special attention:

• TheHScodeadoptsthenewAIproductclassificationinthe2025versionoftheHarmonizedSystem
• Carbonemissiondatamustbemarkedonthecustomsdeclarationform(applicabletomechanicalandelectricalproducts)
• Itisspecifiedthatblockchainevidencestorageneedstobeuploadedsimultaneously

How to avoid goods being detained by the customs?

Based on the analysis of typical cases from 2023 to 2024,the following points require special attention in terms of prevention:

• Disputesovercommodityclassification(itisrecommendedtoapplyforpre-classificationinadvance)
• Intellectualpropertyinfringement(especiallyGoods)
• Thedifferencebetweenthedeclaredvalueandtheactualtransactionpriceexceeds10%

What hidden costs are included in the agency fees?

In addition to the basic agency fee,it is necessary to confirm whether it includes:

• Prepaid/collectpaymentmethodofTHC(TerminalHandlingCharge)attheportofdestination
• Thesharingmechanismofcontainerdetentionchargesgeneratedbycustomsinspection
• Themarginratioforexchangeratefluctuationrisk(itisrecommendedtolockintheforwardexchangerate)

What should be noted for special trade methods?

Processing trade enterprises need to prepare additionally:

• Theelectroniccopyoftheprocessingtrademanualissuedbythecustoms
• Themanagementplanfordistinguishingbetweenbondedandnon-bondedmaterials
• ProofofDockingoftheDeclarationSystemforDeepProcessingTransfer

How to choose the optimal logistics solution?

Recommended transportation methods based on product characteristics:

• High-valueelectronicproducts:+Aircombinedtransportation
• Bulkcommodities:UnderFOBterms,chooseshippingcompaniessuchasCMACGM
• Cross-bordere-commercegoods:TheoverseaswarehousemodelrequirestheprovisionofWERCcertification

How to obtain evidence in case of trade disputes?

It is necessary to require the agency company to provide:

• Acopyoftheshippingnoticestampedwithanelectronicsignature
• Areal-timeupdatedcargotrackinglog
• Officialproofdocumentsofforcemajeureevents

How to prevent foreign exchange settlement risks?

The new foreign exchange management policies announced in 2025 require that:

• Iftheadvancepaymentexceeds30%ofthecontractamount,specialfilingisrequired
• Long-termAbankriskhedgingplanneedstobeprovided
• Forcross-borderRMBsettlement,theCIPSsystemshouldbepreferentiallyselected

Does cross - border e - commerce require special qualifications?

According to the Cross - border E - commerce Retail Import List (2025 Edition):

• Healthproductsneedtoprovidetheregistrationnumberoftheoverseasproductionenterprise
• InfantformulamilkpowdermustbeaccompaniedbyaQRcodefortraceability
• Beautyproductsshouldobtainnon-animaltestingcertificates

How to handle returned goods?

Return operations must meet:

• Provideaqualityreportissuedbyanoverseasofficialinspectionagency
• OriginalDeclarethedocumentsinassociationwiththereturnentrydeclarationform
• Completethehandlingofthegoodswithin1yearafterpayingthedeposit

How to Evaluate the Professional Capabilities of an Agency Company?

It is recommended to assess from three dimensions:

• Industrycases(focusonthecustomsclearancerecordsofsimilarproducts)
• Customsaffairssystem(whetheritisconnectedtothesinglewindow3.0ofthecustoms)
• EmergencyResponseCapacity(ACaseofaChipCompanySuccessfullyRedirectingItsShipmentsDuetoUSSanctionsin2024)