the real qualifications of a company?Three core documents must be checked:

To verify qualifications,three key steps must be completed:

• OfficialRecordInquiry:VerifytheregistrationandlicensingcertificateofthedeclarationunitthroughtheofficialwebsiteoftheGeneralAdministrationofCustoms(itisrecommendedtousethelatestdomainnamein2025)
• Industryassociationcertifications:CheckwhethertheyholdthequalificationcertificateissuedbytheChinaInternationalFreightForwardersAssociation(CIFA).
• KeyPointsforEntityInspection
  • Theactualofficeareashallbenolessthan200㎡(commonoperationalrisksforsmallagencies).
  • CustomsSupervisedPremisesCooperationCertificationDocument

What are the hidden pitfalls in export agency fees?

In 2025,market monitoring data showed that 76% of disputes stemmed from opaque fees.It is particularly important to note that:

• ExchangeRateConversionRules:Requestwrittenconfirmationofthebenchmarkdateforthesettlementexchangerate(itisrecommendedtousetheexchangeratepublishedbytheChinaForeignExchangeTradeSystem).
• Additionalservicecharging:Thelistof16commonadditionalcharges,includingdocumentauthentication,amendmentfees,andcontainerdemurrage,mustbeconfirmedinwritinginadvance.
• :MechanicalproductsarepronetodisputesduetoHScodeclassification.Itisrecommendedtoapplyforanadvancerulingfromthecustomsinadvance.:Verifywhetherthecargoinsuranceincludesspecialclausessuchaswarriskandstrikerisk.

What should I do if there is a delay due to customs inspection?

The emergency mechanisms that professional agents should possess include:

• Pre-classificationService:ProvidetheHScodelegalopinionforthegoodsinadvance.
• On-sitecoordinationskills：Certifiedcustomsbrokersshallbestationedatmajorports.
• GuaranteedCustomsClearanceProgram:ForAEO-certifiedenterprises,aguaranteemaybeprovidedasanalternativetophysicalinspection.

How to Avoid Risks in International Trade Payments?

It is recommended to adopt a triple safeguard mechanism:

• Combinationofsettlementmethods:30%advancepayment+60%Astructuredpaymentplanwitha+10%finalinstallment
• CreditInvestigationService:RequesttheagenttoprovidetheDUNSverificationreport.
• ApplicationofFinancialInstruments:Businesseswithpaymenttermsexceeding180daysmustbecoveredbyexportcreditinsurance.

Who is responsible for damage to goods during transportation?

The division of responsibilities should focus on three critical time points:

• FOBterms:Theriskpassestothebuyeraftercrossingtheship’srail.
• CIFterms:Theagentshallberesponsiblefortheminimuminsurancecoveragetothedestinationport.
• EXWterms：Risktransferiscompleteduponex-worksdelivery.

How to handle disputes over customs clearance at the destination port?

The support that professional agents should provide includes:

• Pre-reviewservice:Verifytherequiredcertificationdocumentsfortheimportingcountryinadvance(suchasSaudiSABERcertification).
• Localagencynetwork:Cooperatingcustomsclearancecompaniesareestablishedinmajortradingcountries.
• LegalSupport:EmergencylawyerlistsshouldbepreparedforspecialregionssuchasSouthAmericaandAfrica.

Why should the contract specify the version of Incoterms?

The 2025 edition of ICC Incoterms? introduces significant changes:

• CancelDPUterminology:ChangedtoDPP(DeliveredatPlacePaid)
• ExtensionofInsuranceCoverage:TheminimumcoverageunderCIFtermsincludeswarrisk.
• Electronicdocumentconfirmation:Officiallyrecognizethelegalvalidityofblockchainbillsoflading.

How to evaluate the after-sales service capability of an agent?

The focus is on examining three key indicators:

• Taxrefundtimeliness:Fromcompletedocumentationtothereceiptoftaxrefunds,theprocessshallnotexceed15workingdays.
• DisputeResponse:Establisha4-houremergencyresponsemechanism
• Dataservices:Provideatradedataanalysisreportcontaining42indicators.