What is an agency export certificate?How does it differ from self-operated export?

The export agency certificate isThe agent enterprise issues to the principalLegal documents,used to prove the actual ownership of the goods and the agency relationship in export business.Compared to self-operated exports,agency exports have three core differences:

• BusinessEntity:Theagentonlyprovidescustomsclearanceservices,whiletheprincipalretainsownershipofthegoods.
• Taxprocessing:TheclienthandlestheVATtaxrefundwiththerelevantproof(thisregulationwillstillbeineffectunderthelatestpoliciesof2025).
• DivisionofResponsibilities:The"ConsignorinChina"fieldonthecustomsdeclarationformmustincludeinformationforboththeprincipalandtheagent.

Under what circumstances is it mandatory to apply for an export agency certificate?

According to the latest operational guidelines issued by the General Administration of Customs for 2025,the following three scenarios require the provision of certification documents:

• Manufacturingenterprisesentrustforeigntradecompanieswithexportoperations.
• Enterprisesexportusingtheoverseaswarehousemodel.
• Enterprisesinspecialsupervisionzonesconductingoutwardprocessingbusiness

What are the common misconceptions in the processing procedures?

Based on our hands-on experience serving over 300 enterprises,special attention must be paid to:

• Timewindow:Thecertificatemustbeissuedwithin90daysafterthegoodsareexported(thenewtaxrebatepolicyin2025maintainstheoriginaltimelimit).
• Documentmatching:Theamountonthecustomsdeclarationformmustbecompletelyconsistentwiththevalue-addedtaxinvoice.
• CommodityCode:ThecustomsHScodesusedbytheagentandtheprincipalmustremainconsistent.

How to Prevent Legal Risks in Agency Export?

It is recommended to adoptDual protection mechanism:

• Clarifythetermsforresolvingqualitydisputes
  • ClearlystipulatetheforeignexchangeincomeResponsibility
  • AgreementonJointandSeveralLiabilityforIntellectualPropertyInfringement
• Require the agent to provide real - time logistics tracking
  • RequesttheclienttoprovidethecompleteCertificate
  • Establishanexportgoodstraceabilitymanagementsystem

Does acting as an export agent affect a company’s credit rating?

Compliant operations will not affect the credit rating,but please note:

• WhenaCustomsAEO-certifiedenterpriseactsasanagentforanon-certifiedenterprise,itmustseparatelyregistertheagencybusiness.
• For12consecutivemonths,iftheagencyexportvolumeexceeds50%oftheself-operatedexportvolume,itmustbeexplainedtocustoms.

What indicators should be considered when selecting a proxy service provider?

It is recommended to evaluate from five dimensions:

• QualificationReview:Whetherpossessingthecorrespondingproductcategoryqualifications.Power
• SystemIntegration:Canreal-timeERPdatainteractionbeprovided?
• RiskControl:Whetherexportcreditinsuranceispurchased
• ServiceNetwork:CoverageofCustomsClearanceCapabilityinDestinationCountries
• CostComposition:Doesitincludevalue-addedservicessuchaspre-classification?

What are the latest changes in the policies for 2025?

According to the Announcement No.1 of the Ministry of Finance in 2025,the following aspects deserve special attention:

• Electroniccertificateswillcompletelyreplacepaperdocuments(withatransitionperiodendingonJune30,2025).
• AdditionalspecialfilingrequirementsforexportstoRCEPmembercountries
• ExportbyproxyAdditionalsubmissionofaqualitycommitmentletterisrequired.