1.Must factory exports be completed through an agent?

According to the latest data from the General Administration of Customs in 2025,among China’s manufacturing exports,63.7% of enterprises utilize proxy services.,but this does not imply a mandatory requirement.Whether to opt for an agent depends on three core elements:

• EnterpriseQualification:MustholdacustomsCompletesetofqualificationdocumentsincludingrights,foreignexchangeaccounts,etc.
• operatingcosts:Self-builtTheannualteamcosttypicallyexceeds500,000yuan.
• RiskControl:Professionalcompetencyrequirementssuchasinternationalsettlementandtradedisputeresolution.

II.Comparison of Advantages and Disadvantages Between Self-Operated Export and Agency Export

We compare the differences between the two models through practical cases:

• financialpressure:
  • Self-operated:Requiresadvancepaymentfora30-60dayaccountperiod.
  • Agent:EnjoytheT/T30%advancepaymentservice.
• Professional Ability:
  • Self-operated:Requiresacustomsclearance,documentation,andlegalaffairsteam.
  • Agent:SharingProfessionalTeamResources
• Time Cost:
  • Self-operated:Theaverageprocessingtimefordocumentsis8hoursperorder.
  • Agent:Theentireprocesstakesonly2hourstocomplete.

III.How to Choose a Reliable Foreign Trade Agency?

According to the 2025 International Trade Services White Paper,high-quality agents should possess the following qualities:

• Completewithallfourcertificates：CustomsAEOCertification+SAFERegistration
• Industryexperience：Haveservedatleast20clientsinthesamecategory.
• ServiceNetwork:Coveringthecustomsclearancechannelsofmajorexportingcountries
• Riskcontrolsystem:Includesmodulessuchascreditinsuranceandlegalsupport.

IV.Five Common Misconceptions About Foreign Trade Agency

• Misconception1:"Agencyfeesareinvariablyhigherthanself-operationcosts."

Actual case: A machinery factory exports $20 million annually,with total agency service costs being 18% lower than self-operation.

Special attention should be paid to the selection of trade terms (such as the division of responsibilities under FOB/CIF).

By 2025,top-tier agents will already be offering value-added services such as digital customs clearance and intelligent tax refund

5.New Trends in Foreign Trade Agency Services in 2025

Based on our hands-on experience with Fortune 500 companies,we recommend focusing on:

• upgradedcompliancerequirements:TheEUCBAMcarbontariffdeclarationhasbecomeastandardagencyservice.
• Digitaltransformation:73%high-qualityproxiesprovidereal-timetrackingsystems
• Providepersonalizedandcustomizedsolutionsfortheimportandexportofmedicaldevicesaccordingtocustomerneeds.:LaunchaspecializedcustomsclearanceplanforRCEPmembercountries

In summary,when choosing a foreign trade agent in 2025,you should follow the following principles:The "Three-Look Principle": Consider the stage of enterprise development,the characteristics of the target market,and the potential for service value-added.It is recommended that enterprises with an annual export value of less than $5 million prioritize agency services to focus on enhancing core production capabilities.