I.What kind of enterprises need to find an export agent?

According to the latest data for 2025,policy,the following three types of enterprises are recommended to choose export agency services:

• Failuretoobtainnewenterpriseswiththerightto:Registeredformorethan6monthsbuthavenotyetcompletedcustomsfiling
• Smallandmedium-sizedmanufacturers:Manufacturingenterpriseswithanannualexportvalueoflessthan$5million
• Operatorsinspecialindustries:Involve,chemicalrawmaterials,andothercontrolledcommodityexports

II.What are the basic qualifications for export agency?

Essential conditions that both the principal and the agent must meet:

• Principal’squalifications:
  • Validbusinesslicense(businessscopeincludesproductionorsaleofrelatedgoods)
  • Corporatebankaccounthasenabledcross-borderRMBsettlementfunction
• Agent’s qualifications:
  • CustomsAEOCertifiedEnterpriseQualifications(MandatoryRequirementfrom2025onwards)
  • ProofofbeingonthelistofimportandexportenterprisesfiledwiththeStateAdministrationofForeignExchange
  • E-portoperatorICcardandspecialsealforcustomsdeclaration

3.How to Verify the Compliance of an Agency Company?

It is recommended to verify through three official channels:

• Checkfilingstatusonthe"EnterpriseCreditInformationPublicitySystem"ontheofficialwebsiteoftheGeneralAdministrationofCustoms
• Verifyforeignexchangecollectionandpaymentqualificationsinthe"DirectoryofEnterprisesforTradeinForeignExchangeReceiptsandPayments"oftheStateAdministrationofForeignExchange
• Checkthevalidityoftheagency’scustomsdeclarationauthorityintheE-portlawenforcementsystem

IV.What is the specific process for export agency?

The standard export agency process includes 6 key steps:

• Signingtripartiteagreements(principal,agent,overseasbuyer)
• Pre-reviewoflogisticsdocuments(including,qualityinspectionreports,etc.)
• Preparationofcustomsdeclarationdocuments(HScodeclassificationneedstobeconfirmedbybothparties)
• ForeignExchangeReceiptsoperation(theagent’saccountmustbemarkedwiththeword"agent")
• Declaration(Theelectronictaxrefundsystemwillbemandatoryonlinein2025)
• Filingofbusinessarchives(retentionperiodofnotlessthan5years)

V.What are the cost components of export agency?

In the 2025s,the main components of agency service fees include:

• Basicservicefee:Chargedat0.8%-1.2%ofthecargovalue(minimum3000RMB/shipment)
• Certificationagency:1500-5000yuan/item
  • Specialdocumentpreparationfee:200-800RMB/copy
  • Foreignexchangeriskmanagementfee:0.05%ofthesettlementamount
• Government fees: Customs declaration fees,port miscellaneous fees,etc.are reimbursed at cost

VI.How are the risks of export agency divided?

According to Article 926 of the Civil Code,it is clearly stipulated that:

• Agent’sliability:
  • Administrativepenaltiescausedbyerrorsindocumentdeclaration
  • Latefeesforoverdueforeignexchangedeclarations
• Principal’s liability:
  • Intellectualpropertydisputesoverthegoods
  • Productqualitydoesnotcomplywiththecontract

VII.What should be noted when choosing an agency company?

It is recommended to focus on evaluating the following four dimensions:

• IndustryMatching:Whetherthereisexperienceinexportingsimilarproducts.
• Riskcontrolcapability:Whetherexportcreditinsuranceispurchased
• Levelofinformatization:Whetherreal-timecustomsclearancestatusinquiryisavailable
• Taxcompliance:Anymajoradministrativepenaltiesinthelast3years