How to judge whether an agency company has legal qualifications?

ChooseWhen applying for a company registration,the following qualification documents must be verified (the latest requirements in 2025):

• CustomsAEOcertification:Giveprioritytohigh-levelcertifiedenterprises,andthecustomsclearanceinspectionratecanbereducedto20%ofthatofregularenterprises
• ThefilingrecordoftheStateAdministrationofForeignExchange:VerifythefilingstatusthroughthewebsiteoftheStateAdministrationofForeignExchange
• InternationalTradeComplianceCommitmentLetter:ItshouldincludecomplianceclausesofthelatesttradeagreementssuchasRCEP
• Proofofactualofficepremises:Itisrecommendedtoconducton-siteinspectionsofthewarehousingandcustomsoperationsites

What is the specific operation process of agency export?

The standard agency export process includes 7 key steps:

• SigntheComprehensiveServiceAgreement
  • Payspecialattentiontothepaymentsettlementcycleclause
  • Clarifytheapplicablelawfordisputeresolution(itisrecommendedtochoosetheChinaInternationalEconomicandTradeArbitrationCommission)
• The agency company applies for an export license/
• ArrangementAnd customs declaration
• Foreign exchange receipt,settlement and tax filing
• Document circulation (the electronic tax refund rate reached 98% in 2025)

III.What hidden costs are included in the agency fee?

In addition to the basic service fee (usually 0.8% - 1.5% of the cargo value),special attention should be paid to:

• Specialcommoditysurcharge(suchaslithiumbatteryUN38.3certificationservice)
• Bankservicefeedetails(thecross-borderRMBsettlementratehasdroppedto0.1‰in2025)
• Emergencyhandlingfees(suchasdemurragechargesincurredduetocargonotbeingpickedupatthedestinationport)
• Expediteddocumentcertificationfees(Expeditedfeesneedtobepaidforembassycertificationinsomecountries)

How to prevent the legal risks of agency export?

It is recommended to adopt the following risk control measures:

• RequiretheagencycompanytotakeoutinsuranceExporttrade(2025policyrequiresminimumcoverageof80%ofcargovalue)
• SpecifyinthecontractResponsibilityforpaymentonbehalfofthegoods(Itisrecommendedtostipulatethatpaymentmustbemadewithin3workingdays)
• EstablishDouble-personreviewmechanism:Keydocumentsneedtobesignedandconfirmedbybothhandlers
• RegularlyaudittheagencycompanyForeignexchangereceiptsandpaymentsaccount

What responsibilities should the agency company assume in case of trade disputes?

According to the latest judicial interpretation of the Supreme People’s Court in 2025:

• Theagencycompanyshallbearthemainliabilityforcompensationforlossescausedbydocumentaryerrors
• Thedemurragechargescausedbyimproperselectionoffreightforwardersshallbeadvancedbytheagencycompany
• Theproportionoffinescausedbydelaysinforeignexchangedeclarationshallbeclearlyspecifiedinthecontract
• ItisrecommendedtoaddDisputehandlingtime-limitclause(Forexample,legalproceduresmustbeinitiatedwithin30days)

What should be noted for the agency export of special commodities?

ForSpecial goods such as chemicals:

• RequesttheagencytoprovideIndustryaccessqualificationcertificates(Suchasmedicaldevicebusinessfilingcertificates)
• Confirmthecustomsclearanceabilityofthetargetcountry(SuchasthedockingsituationoftheUSFDApre-declarationsystem)Forthetransportationofdangerousgoods,aspecialgoodsoperationagreementshallbesignedseparately
• Itisrecommendedtoreserve20%extraoperationtime
• TocopewithregulatoryreviewItisrecommendedtoverifyon-sitethroughthefollowingmethods:Requiretoprovide

How to evaluate the actual operation ability of the agency company?

Samples of customs declarations in the past six months

• (Payattentiontothecompletenessofdeclarationelements)TestTheoperationresponsespeedoftheelectronicportsystem
• VerifyTheauthenticityoftheoverseasagencynetwork(Amemorandumofcooperationcanberequired)OperationResponseSpeed
• VerificationOverseasAgentNetworkAuthenticity(cooperationmemorandumcanberequested)
• On-siteObservationDocumentTransferProcess(Focusoncheckingthesigning-inregistrationsystem)

How to change the agency company during the cooperation period?

Special attention should be paid when switching agents:

• Givewrittennotice60daysinadvance(avoidchangingduringthetax-refundcycle)
• ProcessCustomsElectronicportcardAuthoritytransfer
• SettleForeignexchangemonitoringsystemAssociateddata
• TransferFull-setofthree-yeartradefiles(Taxinspectionretrospectiveperiod)