InWhich national industry classification does the business belong to?

According to the "Industrial Classification for National Economic Activities (GB/T 4754-2022)",The agency business is clearly classified underLeasing and Business Servicesunder the major categoryThe trade agency sub - category in business services(Code 724),specifically subdivided intoTrade agency servicesSub-category.This classification remains effective in 2025,with core features including:

• Notdirectlyinvolvedintheproductionofgoodsorthetransferofownership
• Withservicefeesastheprimarysourceofrevenue
• Takechargeofspecializedservicessuchascustomsclearance,logistics,andtaxrebates.

What is the essential difference between an agency-based import/export company and one that conducts import/export operations on its own?

A comparison of business models reveals significant differences:

• DifferencesinLegalEntities:
  • AgencyCompany:Astheserviceprovider,itdoesnotassumeownershipofthegoods.
  • Self-operatedenterprise:Directlyholdstitledocumentstothegoods
• Risk-taking dimension:
  • AgentEnterprise:Primarilybearsoperationalrisk
  • Soleproprietorships:mustcopewithoperationalriskssuchasmarketvolatilityandinventoryoverstock.
• Method of fund flow:
  • AgencyModel:Servicefeesettlement(typically0.8%–3%ofthegoods’value)
  • Self-operatedmodel:Fullpaymentcollectionandsettlement

How is the industry regulatory system structured?

In 2025,the current regulatory framework will exhibit multi-dimensional characteristics:

• AdmissionRegulation:
  • MinistryofCommerce:InternationalFreightForwarderFiling
  • GeneralAdministrationofCustoms:RegistrationofCustomsDeclarationEnterprises
• Business Supervision:
  • StateAdministrationofForeignExchange:AuthenticityVerificationofReceiptsandPaymentsinForeignExchange
  • StateTaxationAdministration:Riskmanagementandcontrol
• Credit Management:
  • CustomsAEOcertificationsystem
  • ForeignExchangeClassificationManagementSystem

New typeWhat impact does the business format have on the agency industry?

The policies of the Comprehensive Pilot Zone (which was expanded to 165 cities in 2025) have promoted innovation in service models:

• Widespreadadoptionofthe9710/9810supervisioncodes
• TheTransformationofLogisticsModelsDrivenbytheOverseasWarehouseFilingSystem
• SurgingDemandforDigitalServicesforRCEPRulesofOrigin

It’s worth noting that the EU’s CBAM carbon tariff mechanism will be fully implemented in 2025,and professional agencies have generally equipped themselves with carbon footprint accounting service modules.

How to assess the professional qualifications of a proxy service provider?

It is recommended to establish an evaluation system from three dimensions:

• BasicQualifications:
  • CustomsAEOAdvancedCertification(codebeginningwithAEOCN)
  • SAFECategoryAEnterpriseDesignation
• Technical capabilities:
  • DepthofSingleWindowintegration(interconnectionofatleastthreemajormodulesmustbeachieved)
  • BlockchainCustomsDeclarationUseCases
• Risk control:
  • ComplianceReviewSystem(mustincludemodulessuchasU.S.EARandEUAnti-Dumping&Anti-Subsidy)
  • CreditInsurancePartnershipChannels

Is there an industry standard for pricing agency service fees?

At present,the industry has not yet formed a unified pricing mechanism,but the market will show obvious structural characteristics in 2025:

• Basiccustomsclearanceservice:RMB300–800perbill
• End-to-endagency:0.8%-1.5%ofcargovalue
• SpecialServiceSurcharge:
  • DangerousGoodsDeclaration:+2,000RMBpershipment
  • TemporaryImport/Export:+0.3%ofcargovalue

Please pay special attention to the following: The construction of "smart ports" promoted by the General Administration of Customs in 2025 has significantly reduced the cost of basic services,but the prices of value-added technical services are on the rise.

What are the key factors to consider when transitioning from self-operation to an agency model?

Drawing on 20 years of agency-service experience,companies are advised to focus on evaluating:

• Whentheannualnumberofimport/exportbatchesis50,theagencymodelcanreduceoperatingcostsby36%.
• Productcertificationcomplexity(e.g.FDA,CEcertificationupdatefrequency)
• Thecostoftrainingcustomsofficers(theannualsalaryofseniorcustomsdeclarantshasreached180,000-250,000yuanin2025)
• Differencesinforeign-exchangefluctuationhedgingcapabilities