I.What exactly does it do?

An export agent is a third-party institution specialized in international trade services,and its core functions can be summarized as:Handle all export procedures on behalf of the client.Unlike the traditional middleman model that profits from price differences,compliant export agency enterprises operate byService feesFormal profitability,primarily offering the following professional services:

• PreparationandSubmissionofCustomsDeclarationandInspectionDocuments
• InternationalTransportationSolutionDesignandExecution
  • //RailwayTransportationCombinationOptimization
  • Newin2025Applicationoftariffpreferentialpolicies
• Foreign exchange receipts and payments andActing
• Trade Compliance Risk Management (including updates on regulations such as REACH,RoHS,etc.)

II.What is the difference between self-operated export and agency export for a company?

Under the international trade environment in 2025,the comparison between the two models is particularly evident:

• Qualificationrequirementdifferences:
  • Self-operatedexportrequiresobtainingafullsetofqualifications,includingcustomsregistrationandforeignexchangeaccounts.
  • Agencyexportcanutilizetheexistingqualificationchannelsoftheagent.
• Cost Structure Comparison:
  • Self-operatedexportsentailbearingfixedcostssuchaspersonnelandsystems.
  • Agencyexportservicesarechargedpershipment,makingthemsuitableforsmallandmedium-sizedenterprises.
• risk-sharing mechanisms:
  • Theagentshallbeartheresponsibilityfordocumentcompliance.
  • ThenewversionofINCOTERMSin2025clearlydefinesthepointofrisktransfer.

III.What are the key points to consider when selecting an export agent?

According to the latest data from the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade in 2025,it is recommended to evaluate the agency from the following dimensions:

• QualificationVerification:CheckthestatusoftheAEOcertificationfromthecustoms(withthenewdigitalcertificationlogoaddedin2025).
• ServiceNetwork:Verifytheauthenticityofcustomsclearancecooperationchannelsinthedestinationcountry.
• Riskcontrolsystem:
  • WhethertoestablishadynamicupdatemechanismforHTScodes
  • Couldyouprovidetradecountryriskalerts?
• Cost Transparency: Be wary of "bundled prices" that include hidden fees.

IV.What major changes will there be in the export agency industry in 2025?

The latest policy adjustments have brought about impacts in three aspects:

• DigitalUpgrade:TheGeneralAdministrationofCustomsrequiresthatby2025,allcustomsofficesshouldfullyconnecttotheinternationaltrade"singlewindow"3.0system.
• Greentraderegulations:TheEUCBAMcarbontariffmechanismhasofficiallycomeintoeffect,andagentsarerequiredtoprovideaproductcarbonfootprintreport.
• InnovationinPaymentMethods:ThecoverageoftheCross-borderInterbankPaymentSystem(CIPS)hasexpandedto85countries.

V.How Can Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises Reduce Costs and Increase Efficiency Through Export Agents?

Illustrated with a practical case: After adopting agency services,a mechanical parts manufacturer:

• Exportcustomsclearancetimereducedby40%(usingintelligentclassificationsystem).
• Logisticscostsreducedby18%(optimizationofmultimodaltransportsolutions).
• Thetaxrefundprocessingcyclehasbeenreducedfrom90daysto21days(viatheelectronictaxrefundchannel).

Special reminder: In 2025,the Ministry of Finance will upgrade the export tax rebate rate query system to real-time dynamic display.Agents should update the latest data in a timely manner.