InWhat specific tasks does the company actually undertake?

Professional agency companyAvailable for provisionFull - process trade service solutions,including:

• DocumentPreparationandReview(CommercialInvoice,PackingList,Damageduringtransportation
• CustomsDeclarationandTaxPaymentServices(IncludingSpecialCustomsSupervisionZoneDeclarations)
• LogisticsSolutionDesignandExecution(International+DomesticTransportationCoordination)
• ForeignExchangeCollectionandPayment,andTaxRefundAgency
• TradeComplianceReview(HSCodeClassification,LicenseProcessing)

Taking the export case of an electronic product in 2023 as an example,the agency assisted the client in correcting the incorrect HS code classification,thereby avoiding an administrative penalty of approximately 120,000 yuan for a single shipment.

How to determine whether an agency company possesses professional qualifications?

When selecting an agency,the following core qualifications must be verified:

• CustomsAEOCertificationStatus(Thenewcertificationstandardsfor2025havebeenimplemented)
• RecordationandRegistrationCertificateoftheStateAdministrationofForeignExchange
• Specialindustryagencylicense(
• Industry-specificqualifications(e.g.Musthavefiledwiththedrugregulatoryauthority)

It is recommended to request the agency to provide a certificate of no violation records in the past three years and verify the company’s credit status through the official website of the General Administration of Customs.

What specific items are included in the agency service fees?

Standard agency service fees typically include:

• Basicservicefee(chargedat0.3%-1.5%ofthecargovalue)
• Documenthandlingfee(RMB200-800pershipment)
• TaxAdvanceDeposit(chargedbasedontheactualtaxamount)
• Additionalservicefees:
  • Expediteddeclarationfee(urgentserviceoutsidethenormaldeclarationcycle)
  • SpecialDocumentTranslationAuthenticationFee

Please note that the new version of the "Port Charges Directory List" in 2025 has adjusted the collection standards for port construction fees.You need to confirm whether the quoted price includes the latest fees.

How to Avoid Common Pitfalls When Choosing an Agency?

Be alert to the following risk points:

• Operatingbeyondtheapprovedscope(e.g.undertakinghazardousmaterialtransportationwithouttherequiredqualifications)
• Hiddencharges(additionalfeessuchascustomsdeclarationamendmentfees,manifesttransmissionfees,etc.)
• Uncleardivisionofresponsibilities(thecompensationtermsforcargodamageneedtobespecified).
• Informationsecurityrisk(requiressigningadataconfidentialityagreement)

It is recommended to clearly stipulate in contractsMinimum Service Standard,such as quantitative metrics like customs clearance efficiency and maximum error rate.

What are the special considerations for small and medium-sized enterprises when choosing agency services?

For enterprises with an annual export value below $5 million,it is recommended to focus on:

• Isaforeignexchangeriskhedgingsolutionprovided?
• IsitpossibletointegrateLCL(LessthanContainerLoad)servicesforsmallbatchcargo?
• WhetherpossessingClearingexperience
• Systemintegrationcapability(ERPdatadirectconnection)

A garment export company reduced its single-container transportation costs by 37% and achieved fixed weekly shipments by utilizing the LCL (Less than Container Load) service provided by an agency.

How can import and export agents cope with sudden trade risks?

Professional agencies should establish the following emergency response mechanisms:

• TradeSanctionsRapidScreeningSystem(Real-timeUpdatesofOFACandOtherSanctionLists)
• ContingencyPlanforForceMajeureEvents(e.g.AlternativeSolutionsforPortStrikes)
• TemporaryTariffAdjustmentCountermeasures(Anti-DumpingDutyTaxRateAdjustmentsinMultipleCountriesin2025)
• EmergencyHandlingChannelforCargoDetention

It is recommended to require the agency company to provideAnnual Risk Audit Report,understand its historical emergency response success rate.