1.How to determine whether an agency company has a legal export qualification?

According to the data of the General Administration of Customs in 2023,the number of registeredenterprises nationwide exceeds 600,000,but in fact,less than 15% of them have the ability to provide agency services.To verify the agency qualifications,three core documents need to be paid attention to:

• Thebusinessscopeofthe"BusinessLicense"includes"importandexportofgoods"or"importandexportagency."
• CustomsDeclarationUnitRegistrationCertificate
• FiledwiththeStateAdministrationofForeignExchangeForeigncurrencysettlementaccount

It is recommended to verify the validity of the enterprises customs code (10 - digit customs registration code) through the single - window system and require the provision of the past 6 monthsRecord.

2.What are the specific service processes of agency exports?

The standardized agency export process is divided into seven stages:

• SigntheEntrustmentandAgencyAgreementtoclarifyrightsandresponsibilities
  • Payspecialattentiontothepaymentsettlementterms
  • Clarifytheforcemajeurehandlingmechanism
• The agent opens a foreign exchange supervision account
• Prepare a full set of export documents (including proforma invoice,packing list,etc.)
• Processand logistics transportation
• Foreign exchange receipt,settlement and tax handling
• Declaration of export tax rebate (if any)
• After - sales service tracking (bill of lading delivery,document filing,etc.)

How to calculate the fees for export agency?

According to industry data from 2025,agency fees are typically charged based on0.8% - 1.5% of the export amountCharges,specifically including:

• Basicservicefees:Documentpreparation,customsdeclarationandinspection
• Fundservicefees:Foreignexchange,Advancepaymentoftaxrebate
• Specialservicefees:Urgentcustomsdeclaration,specialdocumentcertification

Beware of hidden charges:

• Destinationportdocumentfee(average$35-80/ticket)
• Containerdetentionfee($100-300/day)
• Amendmentfee(RMB200-500/time)

How to prevent risks in export agency business?

Recommended Triple Safeguard Measures:

• Controlofgoodsownership:InsistonusingTelexreleaseguaranteeofbillofladingOriginalhandover
• Fundsupervision:Requiretheagenttoprovideajointly-managedbankaccount
• Insurancecoverage:PurchaseExporttrade(ECIC)tocovertheriskofbuyersdefault

Please pay special attention to the amendments to the FOB clause in the new version of INCOTERMS 2025,and it is recommended to specify the freight forwarding company in the contract.

Will export agency affect the credit accumulation of enterprises?

According to the new regulations of AEO certification of the customs,the following records of export agency enterprises can be traced back to the principal:

• Exportperformance(dataauthorizationneedstobeagreedintheagencyagreement)
• Compliancerecords(customsdeclarationaccuracyrate,inspectionpassrate)
• Creditrating(theaffiliatedrelationshipneedstobefiledinadvance)

It is recommended to require the agent to provideCustoms data vouchersevery month,and verify the data through the e - port system.

What should be noted in the agency export of special goods?

For theFor special categories such as chemicals:

• Qualificationrequirements:Theagentneedstohavespecificbusinesslicenses
  • MedicaldevicesrequireanImportandExportLicense
  • DangerousgoodsrequireMSDScertification
• Document differences: Additional handling is required.Commodity Inspection and Quarantine Certificate
• Logistics restrictions: Some ports have loading and unloading restrictions on special goods.

How to handle disputes in agency exports?

It is recommended to handle disputes in three steps:

• Initiatethenegotiationmechanisminaccordancewiththeagencyagreement(within7workingdays)
• ApplyformediationbytheChinaCouncilforthePromotionofInternationalTrade(averageprocessingcycle:45days)
• Submitforarbitration(ItisrecommendedtostipulatethattheShanghaiInternationalArbitrationCenterhasjurisdiction)

In 2025,new rules for admitting electronic evidence will be implemented,so it’s essential to preserve complete email and WeChat communication records.

How to choose between agency exports and self - operated exports?

Make a decision by comparing from three dimensions:

• Costcomparison:Iftheannualexportvolumeislessthan$5million,itisrecommendedtouseanagent
• Riskcontrolability:Ifthereisalackofadocumentaryteam,agencyispreferred.
• Businesscontinuity:Temporaryordersaresuitableforagency.

Note that under the new foreign exchange policies implemented in 2025,self-operated export enterprises are required to meet higher foreign exchange compliance requirements.

How to evaluate the true service capabilities of an agency company?

It is recommended to adopt the "Four-Dimensional Evaluation Method":

• Hardwareindicators:Owncustomsdeclarationsystem,EDIdockingability
• Industryreputation:MemberunitsoftheChinaCustomsBrokersAssociationarepreferred.
• Emergencyresponseability:Inspectionexceptionhandlingtimeliness(responsewithin≤2hours)
• Compliancerecords:QuerytheCustomsEnterpriseCreditManagementSystem

10.2025What are the important changes in policies?

Pay attention to three new policies:

• Theretentionperiodofelectroniccustomsdeclarationsisextendedto10years
• Foreignexchange"whitelist"enterprisescanenjoyinstantsettlementofforeignexchange.
• NewlyaddedRCEPCertificateofOriginDeclarationagencyqualificationrequirements

It is recommended to require the agency company to provide a policy update briefing every quarter and participate in the customs - enterprise symposium held by the customs.