Export Agency Certificate: What You Need for Trade
or complex compliance issues.
clearance and fund security.

1.Is the certificate an official document issued by the government?
In the international trade practice of 2025,The China Customs and the Ministry of Commerce have not established an official certificate named "Export Agency License."13.This concept is commonly seen in the following two scenarios:
- AppliedforindependentlybyenterprisesBusinessoperationrecord-filingdocuments
- SignedinagencyservicesAgencyExportAgreement
It should be noted that some non-compliant service agencies may disguise agency cooperation agreements as so-called "certificates," which requires enterprises to carefully discern.
2.Cant do foreign trade without an export agency certificate?
The core of carrying out import and export business lies in obtaining legal qualifications,which are specifically divided into two methods:
- Self-operatedmode:
- Applyforregistrationasacustomsimporter/exporter
- Completetherecord-filingwiththeStateAdministrationofForeignExchange
- ObtaintheElectronicPortICcard
- Agent - export mode:
- Signacontractwithanagencycompanywithimportandexportrights
- Completecustomsdeclarationthroughtheagentandotherprocedures
3.What essential documents are required for agent - export?
In the agency export business of the 2025 era,enterprises should prepare the following core documents:
- AgencyAgreement(Therightsandresponsibilitiesofbothpartiesneedtobeclarified)
- Proformainvoiceandpackinglist
- Theimportandexportqualificationcertificateoftheagent
- Newelectronicversion(Applicabletocountrieswithfreetradeagreements)
How to obtain the import and export right qualification?How many steps are there?
According to the latest policies in 2025,the process for enterprises to handle matters independently is as follows:
- Thefirststep:Industrialandcommercialchange
- Add"importandexportbusiness"tothescopeofoperations.
- Updatethebusinesslicense(completedwithin3workingdays)
- The second step: Customs filing
- DeclareonlinethroughtheInternationalTradeSingleWindow
- Obtaina10-digitcustomscode(effectiveimmediately)
- The third step: Registration with the State Administration of Foreign Exchange
- Openabankaccountandregisterinthelistofforeignexchangereceiptsandpaymentssimultaneously
What risks should be noted when entrusting an agent for export?
Based on the dispute cases we have handled,we especially remind you to pay attention to:
- Foreignexchangesettlementrisk:EnsurethattheagentprovidesformalVoucher
- Taxcompliancerisk:Evenifyouexportthroughanagent,youstillneedtodeclaretax-freeincomebyyourself
- Goodsownershipcontrolrisk:ItisrecommendedtoadoptFOBtermsandpurchasecreditinsurance
How to verify the true qualifications of an agency company?
In 2025,it is recommended to use the following official verification channels:
- Queryonthe"EnterpriseCreditSystem"oftheGeneralAdministrationofCustomsofficialwebsite
- CheckthroughtheNationalEnterpriseCreditInformationPublicitySystem
- RequiretheagenttopresentCustomsRegistrationCertificateOriginalcopy
7.What new changes will there be in import and export policies in 2025?
The latest developments worthy of attention include:
- Theelectronicportsystemisupgradedtoversion4.0,realizingapaper-freewholeprocess.
- Thefilingmaterialsarestreamlinedto3coredocuments
- TheB2Bexportdocumentrequirementsarefurthersimplified
In summary,There is no legally recognized "export agency certificate."Enterprises should choose the self - operation or agency export mode according to their actual needs.It is recommended that small and medium - sized enterprises with an annual export volume of less than 5 million RMB give priority to the agency mode to reduce operating costs.For specific business operations,enterprises can consult the local commerce department or professional trade service agencies to obtain the latest policy guidance.
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