1.How to verifythe companys formal qualifications?

Three core documents must be verified: Business LicenseThe requirement must include "goods"."or" customs declaration agency" business scope;Customs registration certificateCan be verified through China Customs Enterprise Import and Export Credit Information Publicity Platform;Foreign Exchange Administration Directory RegistrationEnsure it has legal foreign exchange receipt and payment qualifications.It is recommended to check the enterprise filing information by logging into the Ministry of Commerce Business System Unified Platform.

2.What hidden costs are included in agency fees?

Standard quotation should include:

• Basicservicefee(customsclearance/documentation/logisticscoordination)
• ForeignExchangeHandlingfee(usually0.2%-0.5%)
• Documentcertificationfees(chamberofcommercecertification,embassycertification,etc.)
• Payspecialattentiontopossibleadditionalfees:
  • Specialcategorycustomsclearancesurcharges(dangerousgoods/food,etc.)
  • Expressoperationfee(declarationsubmitted3daysaftercustomsclosuredate)
  • Proportionofdemurragesharing

3.How to allocate export risk responsibilities?

According to the latest edition of the International Trade Agents’ Code of Conduct in 2025:

• Theagencycompanyshallbear:
  • Finescausedbycustomsdeclarationerrors
  • Customsclearancedelayscausedbydocumentationmistakes
• The principal shall bear:
  • Productqualitynon-compliancewithdestinationcountrystandards
  • Intellectualpropertyinfringementdisputes

4.How to ensure fund security?

Standard operating procedures should include:

• Foreignexchangewillbetransferredtothecustomersdesignatedaccountwithin3workingdaysafterreceipt
• VATspecialinvoicesmustcompletelymatchthecustomsdeclarationinformation
• ItisrecommendedtorequiretheagencycompanytoprovideExporttaxrebatespecialaccountsupervisionagreement

What are the key differences in service scope?

High-quality agency companies should provide:

• End-to-endservices:
  • Front-end:ProductHScodepre-classification
  • Mid-end:Preparationofcompliancedocumentsfordestinationport
  • Back-end:Exporttaxrebateprogresstracking
• Special value-added services:
  • RCEPIntelligentapplication
  • AEOcertificationconsulting

6.How to evaluate a companys actual service capabilities?

Assess three practical dimensions:

• Processingefficiency:Averagecycletimefromcommissiontoshipment
• Exceptionhandling:Provideatleast3casestudiesofcustomsclearancesolutionsforsimilarproducts
• Systemintegration:WhetherERPdatadirectconnectiondeclarationissupported

7.How to avoid legal compliance risks?

Verify that the agency company possesses:

• ApplicationcapabilityofthelatestversionofIncoterms
• Compliancedatabasesformajortradingcountries(e.g.U.S.EARregulations,EUREACHregulations)
• TradeSanctionsScreeningSystem(withaspecialfocusontheupdatedlistsofRussiaandMiddleEasterncountriesin2025)

8.Is industry experience important?

Specific industries must choose specialized agents:

• :Medicaldevices:FamiliaritywithFDA510(k)certificationprocessrequired
• Chemicalproducts:MasteryofGHSlabelingspecifications
• Foodcategory:PossessionofHACCPcertificationconsultingqualifications

9.How to evaluate emergency response capabilities?

Require the agency company to provide:

• ResponsePlanforCustomsInspection
• Solutionsforcargorejectionatdestinationport
• Legalsupportchannelsfortradedisputes

10.How to choose between buyout mode and agency mode?

Decide based on the actual situation of the enterprise:

• Buyoutmodel(prepaidpayment):
  • Advantage:Quickcapitalrecovery
  • Risk:Needtobearbuyerdefaultrisk
• Agency model (Post-settlement):
  • Advantage:Zerocapitalrisk
  • Disadvantage:Paymentperiodextendedby15-30days