1.What types of enterprises are eligible for export agency qualifications?

According to the latest "Customs Tariff" issued in 2025,the import tariffs on certain goods will be reduced significantly.Regulations on the Record-filing of Consignors and Consignees of Goods",enterprises meeting the following conditions may engage in export agency business:

• Possessesimportandexportoperationrights.Enterprises(musthave"importandexportofgoods"or"importandexportoftechnology"includedintheirbusinesslicense)
• Customsdeclarationunitregistrationhasbeencompleted.
• Foreignexchangeincomeandexpenditureaccountopeningfortradingcompanies
• Companiesholdinginternationalfreightforwardingqualifications
• Comprehensiveserviceenterprise(mustpassCustomsAEOcertification)
• Importandexportdepartmentofamanufacturingenterprise(requiringindependentaccountingandcompletionoftaxfiling)

2.Must production enterprises export through agents?

According to the 2024 revised "The Law of Easy Access allows production enterprises to independently choose their export methods:

• Self-operatedexport:Afullsetofimportandexportqualificationsisrequired(annualexportvolumerecommendedtobeover2millionUSD).
• EntrustinganAgent:Applicabletothefollowingsituations:
  • Exportproductsinvolvingspecialsupervision(suchas,hazardouschemicals)
  • Thetargetmarkethasspecialcertificationrequirements(suchastheEUCEcertification).
  • Small-scaletradewithasingleshipmentvaluebelowUSD50,000.

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

It is recommended to conduct qualification verification through the "Three Checks and Three Inquiries" mechanism:

• ThreeChecks:
  • CustomsEnterpriseCreditInformationPublicityPlatform(CheckAEOCertificationStatus)
  • ForeignExchangeAdministrationFilingDirectory(QualificationforForeignExchangeReceiptandPayment)
  • E-PortLawEnforcementSystem(CheckViolationRecords)
• Three Questions:
  • Whethertodeclarecustomsunderthenameofthisenterprise
  • CanyouprovideaspecialVATinvoice?
  • Doyouhavecustomsclearancecapabilityinthetargetcountry?

What items are included in export agency fees?

In the 2025s,agency service fees are typically charged using the "base fee + risk premium" model:

• :Forlow-valuegoods,someagencycompaniesmayadoptafixed-feemodel,whichisabout1500yuan,butthisamountisnegotiable.(Singleticket10,000-30,000yuan):
  • DocumentPreparationFee
  • Customsdeclarationandinspectionfees
  • Foreignexchangeverificationfee
• Variable fees(0.8%-1.5% of the cargo value):
  • Exchangeratefluctuationriskreserve
  • Portdemurragedeposit
  • Tradecompliancereviewfee

V.What Misconceptions Should Be Avoided When Selecting an Agency?

According to the big data analysis of foreign trade disputes in 2025,special attention should be paid to the following points:

• Low-pricetrap:Companieswhosequotesare30%belowindustrystandardstypicallyexhibit:
  • Riskofexportwithoutproperdocumentation
  • Falsificationofvalue-addedtaxinvoices
  • Evasionofcustomssupervision
• qualification fraudKey verification:
  • Customsregistrationnumberandcompanynameconsistency
  • Validityperiodofforeignexchangedirectoryregistration
  • Istheactualofficeaddressconsistentwiththeregisteredaddress?

VI.What are the new trends in export agency business in the 2025 era?

Considering the policy changes following the full implementation of RCEP:

• Regionalizedservices:DemandforcustomsclearanceagentsinASEANcountriessurgesby40%
• DigitalUpgrade:Blockchaincustomsclearancedocumentsbecomemainstream(needtoconfirmwhethertheagencycompanyhasaccessedtheSingleWindow2.0)
• Complianceenhancement:TheU.S."UyghurForcedLaborPreventionAct"requiresagentstoprovidethird-tiersupplychaincertification.

It is recommended that enterprises,when signing agency agreements,must require service providers to submit the "International Trade Agency Risk Disclosure Statement" and include intellectual property guarantee clauses.For special categories of goods,the agent may be required to issue a "Customs Compliance Commitment Letter" to mitigate legal risks.