Why do you need export agency services?

For enterprises lackingqualifications orexperience,an export agent can solve three core problems:Breaking through the qualification threshold(no need to apply for a customs code on your own),Professional Process Management(customs declaration and inspection/tax rebate/document handling),andCost control optimization(avoiding the high cost of building an in-house foreign trade team).According to statistics from the General Administration of Customs for 2023,about 68% of SMEs choose the agency model for their first export.

How to evaluate the professionalism of an agency company?

It is recommended to screen from six dimensions:

• :CustomsAEOcertification,ClassAforeignexchangemanagemententerprises:CheckforcustomsAEOcertification,andlistingontheStateAdministrationofForeignExchangedirectory
• Industryexperience:Focusonexaminingoperationalcasesinthetargetmarket(e.g.familiaritywithFDAcertificationisneededforEuropeandtheUS)
• ServiceNetwork:
  • Whetherofficesareestablishedatmajordomesticports
  • Whethertherearecooperativechannelsforcustomsclearanceoverseas
• Risk management and control: Timeliness of handling inspection exceptions,and the dispute resolution mechanism
• Digital capabilities: Whether a real-time logistics tracking system is provided
• Fee transparency: Beware of hidden charges (e.g.the cost-sharing ratio for amendment fees/detention fees)

What is the standard process for an export agency?

A typical service cycle includes seven key nodes:

• Signatripartiteagreement(factory-agent-foreignmerchant)
• Theagencycompanypreparestheproformainvoice/packinglist
• Arrangeforcommercialinspection(forlegallyinspectedgoods)
• Portcustomsdeclarationandshipment
• Foreignexchangecollectionandtaxdeclaration
• Handling(averageperiodof45days)
• Tradedataarchiving(therecommendedretentionperiodisnolessthan5years)

What items are included in the agency service fee?

A conventional fee structure includes three levels:

• Basicservicefee:Itischargedat0.8%-1.5%ofthegoodsvalue(basedontheaveragemarketpricein2025).
• Governmentfees:
  • Customsdeclarationfeeof500-800yuan/shipment
  • Portmiscellaneousfeesarechargedbasedonthecontainersize
• • PresentationofL/Cdocuments:800-1500yuanperorder
  • Agencyforexporttaxrebate:5%-8%ofthetaxrebateamount
  :Special needs such as document review,and destination port delays

How to prevent risks in export agency?

It is recommended to establish three firewalls:

• :Clearlyagreeonthepaymentsettlementcycle(itisrecommendednottoexceedT+3)andtheownershipofgoodscontrol:Clearlyspecifytheclausesonownershipofgoods
• FundMonitoring:Requiretheforeignmerchanttopaytotheagencycompany’ssupervisedaccount
• Documentmanagement:Theoriginalbillofladingmustbereleasedwiththefactory’sconfirmation

How to choose between self - export and agency export?

Key decision factors include:

• Anagencyisrecommendedforanannualexportvalueoflessthan$2million
• Aprofessionalagentispreferredforhighcomplexityinproductcertification(e.g.)
• Theagency’sfinancialhandlingcapabilitiesneedtobeevaluatedforspecialtradeterms(DP/LC)

Frequently Asked Questions about Export Agency Services

• Q:Cananexportagentenjoyataxrebate?

A: Yes,but it must be ensured that the flow of the VAT invoice is consistent with the agency agreement

A: A standardized agency agreement should include a customer information confidentiality clause

A: Choose an agency that provides LCL services to reduce the cost per container