1.What is export agency?How does it differ from self-operated export?

Agency export refers to a trade mode in which a manufacturing enterprise entrusts a company withA trading company with export rights handles the entire process of export business on behalf of the client.Compared to self-operated exports,agency exports have the following key differences:

• Qualificationrequirements:TheagentmustholdAEO(AuthorizedEconomicOperator)certificationfromcustoms.
• Liabilitydivision:The"ConsignorwithinChina"fieldonthecustomsdeclarationformdisplaystheinformationoftheagencycompany.
• Taxrefundprocess：Thetaxrefundisadvancedbytheagency(undercurrentpolicies,thefastestprocessingtimeis7workingdays).
• Riskbearing:Theagencyisresponsibleforhandlingcompliancematterssuchasforeignexchangeverificationanddocumentreview.

II.What new regulations should be noted when selecting an export agency in 2025?

According to Announcement No.58 of the General Administration of Customs in 2024,when selecting an export agent,the following aspects should be given priority during the verification process:

• WhetherpossessingInternationalTrade"SingleWindow"Three-levelcertification
• Isitcompleted?RCEPAgreementEnterprisefilingundertheitem
• WhetherequippedwithAEOcertificationProfessionalcustomsaffairsteam
• DoesitsupportElectronicAutomaticclaimfunction

3.What is the specific operational process for export agency?

The standard export agency process consists of 7 key steps:

• Contractsigning:Clarifytheagencyfeerate,advancefundingratio,anddivisionofresponsibilities
• Documentationpreparation:Includingproformainvoice,packinglist,inspectionreport,etc.
• CustomsDeclaration:TheHScodeofthegoodsandtheexportregulatoryrequirementsmustbeprovided.
• LogisticsandTransportation：ItisrecommendedtochooseCIFtermstoreducetransportationrisks.
• :Handlingcross-borderforeignexchangereceiptsandpayments,reportingtotheStateAdministrationofForeignExchange:Payattentiontotheexchangeratelockforcross-borderRMBsettlement.
• :Agentfor:AspecialVATinvoicewiththedeductioncopymustbeprovided.
• Documentreturn:Includingimportantdocumentssuchascustomsdeclarationformsandverificationforms.

What items are included in export agency fees?

The typical cost structure of export agency services in the 2025 era:

• Basicservicefee:0.8%-1.5%ofthecontractamount(dependingonproductcategory)
• Financingfees:Annualized8%-12%(calculatedbasedonactualfundingdays)
• Additionalfees:
  • Documentationfee:200-500yuanperticket
  • Inspectionfee:800-1500yuanpertime
  • Specialdocumentcertificationfees(e.g.FDA,CE,etc.)

How to prevent legal risks in agency exports?

It is recommended to adopt the following risk control measures:

• SignTripartiteAgreementClarifytherightsandresponsibilitiesofthebuyer,seller,andagent.
• RequesttheagencytoprovidePerformanceBond
• EstablishEscrowaccountEnsurepaymentsecurity
• RegularlycheckItisrecommendedtocross-verifythroughthreeofficialchannels:recordsfrompastthreeyears
• PurchaseExporttradeCoverthebuyer’sdefaultrisk

6.Which products are suitable for the agency export model?

Highly recommended three types of products for export agency:

• Productslistedinthelegalinspectioncatalog:Agriculturalproductsandchemicalproductsrequiringinspection
• License-managedcommodities:suchas、Hazardousmaterials
• Emergingmarketproducts:InvolvingspecialagreementssuchasRCEPandtheAfricanContinentalFreeTradeArea(AfCFTA)

7.Does acting as an export agent affect a company’s export data?

According to customs statistical rules:

• Customsstatistics:Recordedunderthenameoftheagencycompany
• Taxidentification:Manufacturingenterprisescanstillenjoy
• ForeignExchangeManagement:Thedataiscreditedtotheagency’sforeignexchangeaccount.
• Solution:Theprincipalmayrequesttheagencytoprovide.ExportcertificationdocumentsForcorporatefiling