I.To which specific sector within the modern service industry does it belong?

According to the classification standards of the WTO’s General Agreement on Trade in Services,export agency is explicitly categorized underBusiness Services - Trade-Related Services - Goods Export Agency Services(CPC 86227).Under China’s current "ServiceIn the "Management Regulations," it is defined as:

• Producerservices:Providingvalue-addedsupplychainservicesformanufacturingenterprises.
• BusinessServices:OfferingEnd-to-EndCross-BorderTradeSolutions
• ComprehensiveServices:Includingcustomsclearance,logistics,integratedservicessuchastaxrefunds

2.What is the fundamental difference between export agency and self-operated export?

By comparing the trade data released by the General Administration of Customs in 2023,we found that enterprises using export agents accounted for 63%,with the core differences reflected in:

• Legalstatus
  • Agencyexport:Theagentconductsbusinessinthenameoftheprincipal.
  • Self-operatedexport:Theenterpriseindependentlycompletestheentireprocessoperation.
• Risk bearing
  • Theagentshallonlybearoperationalriskswithintheagreedscope.
  • Self-operatedbusinessesmustbearalltraderisks.

3.What specific business modules are included in export agency services?

Based on our practical experience serving over 800 foreign trade enterprises,a comprehensive export agency service should include:

• Basicservices
  • CustomsDeclarationandDocumentPreparation(ElectronicAdaptationoftheNewVersionoftheDeclarationFormin2025)
  • InternationalTransportationSolutionDesignandExecution
• Value - added Services
  • Cross-borderpaymentandreceiptofforeignexchange,andforeignexchangeriskhedging
  • Full-processmanagement(includingresponsetothenewVATpolicyin2025)

4.How to determine whether an agency company has legal qualifications?

Enterprises should focus on verifying the following qualification documents:

• "ForeignTradeOperatorRegistrationForm"(issuedbytheMinistryofCommerce)
• "CustomsRegistrationCertificateforDeclarationEntities"(SupervisedandIssuedbytheGeneralAdministrationofCustoms)
• FiledwiththeStateAdministrationofForeignExchangeTradeForeignExchangeReceiptsandPaymentsEnterpriseDirectory(2025UpdatedVersion)

5.What are the new trends in the export agency industry in 2025?

Based on recent industry dynamics analysis,it is recommended that enterprises focus on three key trends:

• Digitalserviceupgrade
  • Thecoveragerateoftheblockchaincustomsclearancesystemwillreach75%.
  • TheerrorrateofAIintelligentcustomsdeclarationhasbeenreducedtobelow0.3%.
• upgraded compliance requirements
  • EUCarbonBorderAdjustmentMechanism(CBAM)declarationserviceshavebecomestandard.
  • UFLPAActcompliancereviewisincludedinbasicservices.