1.What is export agency?What is the essential difference between it and traditional self-operated export?

Agency export refers to a trade mode in which a manufacturing enterprise entrusts a company withThe service model where a licensed trading company handles the entire export process on behalf of a client.The key difference lies in:

• DivisionofResponsibilities:Theagencycompanyisonlyresponsibleforcustomsclearance,Proceduralmatters,etc.withoutinvolvementinproductdevelopmentandproductionprocesses.
• Riskbearing：Disputesoverthequalityofgoodsshallbetheresponsibilityoftheclient,whiletheagentfocusesonhandlingtradecompliancerisks.
• Capitalflow:Paymentsettlementisprocessedthroughtheagencycompany’saccount,butultimatelybelongstothemanufacturingenterprise.

II.What qualifications should be verified when selecting an export agency in 2025?

According to the latest international trade regulatory requirements,the following areas require key verification:

• CustomsAEOCertificationStatus(withanaddeddigitaltradecertificationmodulestartingfrom2025)
• TheclassificationandratingbytheStateAdministrationofForeignExchange(onlyenterprisesratedasClassBoraboveareeligibletoconductforwardtransactions).Tradedisputesettlementmechanisms
• Specialindustrypermits(e.g.(CFDAfilingcodeverificationrequired)
• QualificationforEnterprisesintheComprehensivePilotZone(Requiredfor9810/9710Models)

3.What items are typically included in export agency service fees?How can hidden charges be avoided?

The standard fee structure should include:

• Basicservicefee(chargedat0.8%-1.5%ofcargovalue)
• DocumentHandlingFee(includingpreferentialcertificatesoforiginsuchasFORME)
• Bankhandlingfees(itisrecommendedtorequesttheSWIFTmessagecopy)
• Specialreminder:Startingfrom2025,undertheEUCBAMmechanism,theservicefeesforcarbontariffdeclarationwillneedtobeaccountedforseparately

IV.How to Ensure Payment Security in an Agency Export Model?

It is recommended to adopt a triple safeguard mechanism:

• Signthe"TripartitePaymentAgreement"toclarifytherepaymentpath.
• Requesttheagencytoprovideabankpaymentguarantee.
• Applyforexportcreditinsurance(includingthenewdigitaltradedefaultriskinsuranceaddedin2025).

V.What types of enterprises are particularly suitable for adopting the agency export model?

Based on our validation from serving 300+ enterprise cases,the following types of companies have shown significant benefits:

• Smallandmedium-sizedenterpriseswithanannualexportvolumeoflessthan$5million
• Industriesinvolvingproductssubjecttoanti-dumpingduties(e.g.steelproducts)
• ManufacturingenterprisesplanningtoexplorenewmarketsinRCEP
• Traditionalfactoriesinthetransformationofcross-bordere-commerce

6.Will acting as an export agent affect the company’s operations?According to Document No.38 of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange in 2025,

Proper handling ensures the right to tax refund:

• The"AgencyExportCertificate"mustbeissuedbytheagencycompany.
• Manufacturerscanapplyfortaxrefundswithvalue-addedtaxinputinvoices.
• Pleasenotethesystemintegrationrequirementsafterthefullimplementationofelectronicinvoicesin2025.

7.What are the potential risks of the agency export model?How to avoid them?

Three types of risks that require key prevention:

• Foreignexchangecontrolrisks:Itisrecommendedtoadoptcross-borderRMBsettlement.
• TradeComplianceRisk:RegularlyReviewtheAccuracyofHSCodeClassification
• IntellectualPropertyRisks:Requiretheagenttoprovidecustomsrecordalinquiryservices.

8.Are there any special requirements for the agency export of special products (such as hazardous chemicals)?

According to the latest 2025 regulations:

• Itismandatorytoverifythehazardouschemicalsbusinesslicenseoftheagencycompany.
• ThetransportationprocessmustpossessTDGcertification.
• TheexportdeclarationmustbesubmittedtogetherwiththeSDS(SafetyDataSheet).
• Itisrecommendedtoadditionallypurchaseenvironmentalliabilityinsurance.

9.How to evaluate the actual service capabilities of an agency?

It is recommended to assess through five dimensions:

• Levelofintelligenceincustomssystems(whetherAI-poweredintelligentclassificationissupported)
• Overseascustomsclearancenetworkcoverage(whethertherearebranchesinkeytargetcountries)
• Crisisresponsespeed(testingthe24-houremergencymechanism)
• IndustryCaseMatchRate(OperationalExperiencewithSimilarProductCategories)
• Fundturnovercapacity(verificationofbankcreditline)

X.How to Effectively Protect Rights in Case of Disputes in Export Agency Cooperation?

A step-by-step solution is recommended:

• PhaseOne:Negotiationinaccordancewiththedisputeresolutionclauseofthecontract.
• PhaseTwo:ApplyforMediationbytheChinaCouncilforthePromotionofInternationalTrade(CCPIT)
• Phase3:SubmissiontotheInternationalCourtofArbitrationoftheInternationalChamberofCommerce(ICC)forarbitration.
• Specialnote:Thecross-borderdigitalarbitrationplatformhasbeenofficiallylaunchedsince2025.