What kind of companies need to outsource?

According to the latest data from the General Administration of Customs for 2025,more than 68% of China’s imports come from the United States.The company adopts an export agency model.It is primarily applicable to the following three types of enterprises:

• Production-orientedenterprises:NoneAuthorityortheabsenceofaforeigntradeteam
• Seller:Complexcustomsclearanceandtaxrebateproceduresarerequired
• Startupforeigntradecompanies:Avoidthehigh-costrisksofbuildinganin-houseforeigntradesystem

How to Choose a Compliant Agency?

3.How to Identify High-quality Agency Service Providers?

• Basicqualifications:
  • CustomsAEOCertifiedEnterprise(prioritygiventoAdvancedCertification)
  • FilingasanenterpriseontheStateAdministrationofForeignExchangedirectory
  • "RegistrationFormofForeignTradeOperator"issuedbytheMinistryofCommerce
• Professional Ability:
  • Atleast3yearsofexportexperienceinsimilarproducts
  • WithcorrespondingHScodeoperationrecords
• Risk Management:
  • Insureexportcreditinsurance
  • Provideacontingencyplanforhandlinglegaldisputes

What changes have occurred in the export agency registration process in the 2025 era?

Pursuant to Customs General Administration Announcement No.198,the filing for export agency services has been fully digitized:

• Step1:LogintotheInternationalTradeSingleWindowtocompletemutualrecognitionbetweenenterprises
• Step2:UploadtheelectronicversionoftheAgencyExportAgreementandtheProductComplianceStatement
• Step3:Thesystemautomaticallyverifiesthecustomsdeclarationentity’sregistrationinformation
• Step4:Obtaina13-digitfilingnumber(validityextendedto3years)

What items are included in export agency fees?

A typical fee structure includes (using a shipment value of USD 1 million as an example):

• Basicservicefee:0.8%-1.2%(approx.$8,000-$12,000)
• Additionalfees:
  • SpecialDocumentationFee:$50perdocument(e.g.FORMECertificateofOrigin)
  • InspectionAssistanceFee:$200peroccurrence
  • ExceptionHandlingFee:Startingfrom$500
• Cost of funds: Interest on tax-refund advance financing (annualized 6%-8%)

How to Prevent Risks in Agency Export Business?

Based on the case of a textile export contract dispute in 2024,it is recommended to take the following measures:

• ContractTerms:
  • Clearlyspecifytheforeignexchangesettlementmethodandcycle
  • Setamaximumcaponexceptionalfees
• : Obtain a copy of customs declaration data every week and conduct logistics reconciliation every month:
  • Real-timeinquiryofthecustomsdeclarationelectronicledgerisrequired.
  • RegularverificationoftheflowdirectionofspecialVATinvoices
• Evidence retention:
  • Saveallcorrespondenceemailsandsystemoperationlogs
  • Requiretheagenttoprovideadetailedmonthlyservicestatement.

What common misconceptions should we pay special attention to?

• Myth1:"All-inclusive"servicecommitment(inpractice,enterprisesarestillrequiredtocooperateinprovidingcompliantdocuments)
• Myth2:Ultra-lowagencyfees(possiblehiddenadditionalcharges)
• Misconception3:NeglectingHSCodeConfirmationResponsibility(Enterprisesbearultimateresponsibilityforcommodityclassification)

Before signing an agency agreement,companies are advised to insist that the agency present the customs registration receipt and verify the certificate’s validity on the “China Customs Enterprise Import and Export Credit Information Disclosure Platform.” For goods under special control (e.g.medical devices,chemicals,etc.),they must also confirm that the agency holds the corresponding qualification certificates.