1.What is entrusted agency export?How does it differ from self-operated export?

Entrusted agency export refers to the situation where a qualifiedqualificationsThe service enterprise (the agent) is entrusted by the manufacturing enterprise (the principal) to handle export customs clearance and other procedures in the name of the agent.a comprehensive service model covering the entire foreign trade process including tax refunds.The key difference from self-operated exports lies in:

• DiscrepancyintheDeclarationFormHeader:Theagentshalldeclareastheoperatingentity,withtheprincipaldisplayedintheremarkscolumn.
• Theflowoffundsvaries.:Foreignexchangetransactionsshallbecollectedandpaidthroughtheagent’saccount,andastandardizedsettlementprocessmustbeestablished.
• Theresponsibleentityisclearlydefined.：Theagentshallberesponsibleforcustomsdeclaration,whiletheprincipalshallbeaccountableforthequalityofthegoods.

II.What types of enterprises are suitable for adopting entrusted agency export?

The following three types of enterprises most frequently opt for the agency export model:

• Smallandmedium-sizedmanufacturingenterprises:Annualexportvolumebelow$5million,withnoprofessionalforeigntradeteamestablishedyet.
• Cross-bordernewbusinessmodelenterprises:Sellers,marketprocurementtradeentities,andotherspeciallysupervisedsubjects.
• Specialindustryenterprises:,chemicalproducts,andotherexportsectorsrequiringspecializedqualificationapprovals

III.What specific services are included in entrusted export agency?

Standardized foreign trade agency services should encompass seven core modules:

• PreparationandSubmissionofCustomsDeclarationDocuments
• Foreignexchangereceiptsandpaymentsand(1)PortofDepartureandPortofDestination:
• Proxydeclaration
  • IncludingtheverificationofVATspecialinvoices.
  • Taxrefunddocumentationfilingmanagement,etc.
• Logistics transportation plan design
• Trade Compliance Risk Review
• Application of International Settlement Instruments
• Foreign Trade Data Statistics Service

IV.What Compliance Risks Exist When Choosing an Entrusted Agent for Export?

Pay special attention to three key risk points:

• Four-in-OneRisk:Theflowofgoods,funds,invoices,andinformationmustbefullyaligned.
• Customsdeclarationrisk:Incorrectreportingofcommoditycodesmayleadtoadministrativepenalties.AmongtheclassificationerrorcasesreportedbytheGeneralAdministrationofCustomsin2021,agencyexportsaccountedfor37%.
• Refundtimelimitrisk:Delayedsubmissionoftaxrefundmaterialsbytheagentwillaffectthecompany’scashflow.

V.How to Assess the Professionalism of a Trustee Service Provider?

Recommend evaluating service providers from five dimensions:

• CustomsAEOcertificationlevel(prioritygiventoAdvancedCertifiedEnterprises)
• Foreignexchangemanagementclassificationlevel(CategoryAenterprisesasthecooperationfoundation)
• Specificindustryoperationalexperience(e.g.medicaldevicesrequireCFDAfiling)
• Completenessoftheinformationmanagementsystem
• HistoricalDisputeResolutionCases

6.How is the fee structure for entrusted export agency composed?

The typical pricing model consists of three tiers:

• Basicservicefee:Chargedat0.6%-1.2%oftheexportamount.
• • PresentationofL/Cdocuments:800-1500yuanperorder
  • Agencyforexporttaxrebate:5%-8%ofthetaxrebateamount
  : Including:
  • SpecialDocumentProcessingFee
  • Expresscustomsclearancefee
  • Overseascustomsclearanceassistancefee
• Fund Occupancy Fee: Funds cost related to financial services such as forward exchange settlement

7.How to ensure fund security under the agency export model?

At the contract level:

• Signthe"TripartitePaymentandReceiptAgreement"toclarifythefundflowpath.
• Requesttheagenttoprovideabankperformanceguarantee.
• Usingblockchaintechnologytotracefundflows

8.What is the difference between entrusted agency export and foreign trade comprehensive services?

There is an essential difference in the depth of service between the two:

• ScopeofServices:Foreigntradecomprehensiveservicesincludevalue-addedmodulessuchassupplychainfinance.
• ResponsibilityBoundary:Comprehensiveserviceenterprisesbeargreaterriskcontrolresponsibilities.
• SupervisionRequirements:ComprehensiveserviceenterprisesmustcomplywiththespecialprovisionsstipulatedinAnnouncementNo.35of2017issuedbytheStateTaxationAdministration.

IX.What are the new developments in the export agency policy in 2025?

According to the spirit of the 2024 Foreign Trade Work Symposium of the Ministry of Commerce,it is expected that two important measures will be introduced:

• Establishatieredmanagementsystemforexportagencyenterprises.
• Implementtheelectronicagencyagreementfilingsystem

10.What basic materials are required for choosing an export agency model?

Enterprises must prepare four major categories of documents in advance:

• Mainqualificationdocuments(businesslicense,legalpersonIDcard)
• ProductionCapacityCertificate(FactoryLeaseContract,EquipmentList)
• ProductComplianceDocuments(TestReports,CertificationCertificates)
• Tradebackgroundinformation(purchasecontract,proformainvoice)