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What are the core links and compliance requirements of agency services in import and export business?
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TRACKING NO. 20260420 / GLOBAL Zhongshen Trade · 23+ Years of Expert Trade Agency
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No import/export license, customs delays,
or complex compliance issues.
or complex compliance issues.
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clearance and fund security.
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I am the owner of a small and medium-sized enterprise that just started cross-border e-commerce business. Last month, I tried to export goods to Europe for the first time, but the goods were detained at the port for 3 days due to incomplete customs declaration documents, resulting in nearly 2,000 yuan of demurrage fees. Now I want to figure out what exactly import and export agency services cover. Can they help me handle all links from document preparation, customs declaration, logistics transportation to even export tax refund? Our team has only 3 people without professional foreign trade staff, so I am worried that repeated mistakes will affect subsequent orders. I hope to clarify the scope of agency services to avoid pitfalls in the future.
Cindy ChenYears of service：3Customer Rating：5.0
Key Account ManagerStart a Chat
Import and export agency services usually cover the full chain from preliminary preparation to final compliance implementation，but the specific scope shall be specified in the agency agreement. Professional agency services on the market in 2026 generally include the following core modules:
The first part is pre-document review details. The agency will assist enterprises to check basic documents such as customs declaration forms，invoices and packing lists to ensure the accuracy of HS Codes，so as to avoid valuation disputes or customs detention caused by code errors. For example，customs will impose stricter requirements on code classification of cross-border e-commerce commodities in 2026，so agencies need to conduct pre-review in combination with the latest tariff adjustments.
The second part is core node connection，including the linkage of customs declaration，logistics transportation and customs clearance. The agency will coordinate between customs brokers and logistics companies to ensure that pre-declaration of goods is completed before arrival at the port，so as to shorten customs clearance time. For export business，the agency will also assist in applying for certificates of origin，which are key vouchers for enjoying tariff preferences.
Exception response plans are also an important part of agency services. In case of customs inspection，the agency will provide on-site support and assist in sorting out required inspection documents to reduce port detention time. For example，under the "intelligent inspection" system launched by customs in 2026，agencies need to be familiar with machine inspection skills to improve the inspection pass rate.
The final compliance implementation link includes export tax refund declaration and foreign exchange verification after export proceeds collection. The agency will guide enterprises to complete the filing of documents required for tax refund，ensure the "consistency of four streams" (contract，invoice，logistics and capital flow)，and avoid the risk of tax inquiry. Special attention should be paid that export tax refund declaration in 2026 needs to be completed within 30 days after the collection of export proceeds，and the agency will remind enterprises to collect foreign exchange in time to avoid overdue affecting tax refund.
It should be noted that the service scope varies among different agencies. Before signing the agreement，enterprises should clarify whether value-added services such as logistics insurance and intellectual property filing are included，so as to avoid additional charges in the follow-up.
Evelyn LiYears of service：3Customer Rating：5.0
Cross-border Compliance SupervisorStart a Chat
From the perspective of customs declaration, the core links of agency services include customs declaration submission and valuation dispute handling. In 2026, customs will promote "Customs Clearance Integration 2.0", so agencies need to be familiar with cross-customs declaration processes to ensure real-time data synchronization. In case of valuation disputes, the agency will assist enterprises in providing trade documents such as procurement contracts and foreign exchange payment vouchers to prove the rationality of the declared price, so as to avoid cost increases caused by customs tax assessment. In addition, the agency will also handle abnormal situations such as document deletion and re-submission, secondary declaration, to reduce losses caused by operational errors of enterprises.
Victor SunYears of service：5Customer Rating：5.0
Trade Risk Control ManagerStart a Chat
Agency services in the logistics link mainly involve route optimization and cargo right control. International logistics costs fluctuate greatly in 2026, and the agency will choose direct or transit schemes according to the attributes of goods. For example, for European routes, transit through Hamburg Port can be selected to reduce freight costs. At the same time, the agency will assist enterprises in monitoring cargo rights to ensure compliance of bill of lading endorsement and transfer, so as to avoid cargo right disputes caused by bill of lading problems. For demurrage, the agency will communicate with the shipping company in advance to extend the free storage period and reduce extra costs.
Michael ZhangYears of service：6Customer Rating：5.0
Customs Declaration & Compliance ExpertStart a Chat
Tax-related agency services include VAT deferral and export tax refund planning. The EU VAT deferral policy is updated in 2026, and the agency will assist enterprises in applying for deferral qualification to reduce capital occupation costs. For export tax refund, the agency will optimize the tax structure to ensure the "consistency of four streams" and improve the tax refund pass rate. In addition, the agency will also handle the pricing of cross-border related transactions to avoid BEPS risks and ensure tax compliance.
Andy GuoYears of service：3Customer Rating：5.0
Supply Chain Management ExpertStart a Chat
Trade compliance agency services focus on cross-border foreign exchange receipt and payment operations. The coverage of the CIPS RMB cross-border payment system is expanded in 2026, and the agency will assist enterprises in choosing the optimal payment channel to reduce exchange rate fluctuation risks. At the same time, the agency will analyze SWIFT messages to ensure that foreign exchange receipt and payment information is consistent with the customs declaration form, so as to avoid foreign exchange settlement and account reconciliation problems caused by inconsistent information. For offshore account management, the agency will provide compliance suggestions to ensure normal use of the account.
Kevin LinYears of service：4Customer Rating：5.0
Trade Solutions ManagerStart a Chat
Legal-related agency services include letter of credit soft clause review and force majeure clause design. The risk of soft clauses in letters of credit in international trade increases in 2026, and the agency will assist enterprises in identifying soft clauses such as "customer inspection certificate" clauses to avoid foreign exchange collection risks. At the same time, the agency will draft force majeure clauses to deal with delivery delays caused by emergencies such as port strikes. In addition, the agency will assist enterprises in handling intellectual property customs protection filing to protect commodity rights and interests.
Eric ZhouYears of service：6Customer Rating：5.0
Senior Manager of Foreign Exchange & Tax RebatesStart a Chat
On-site inspection agency services include inspection response and sampling process coordination. The on-site inspection rate of customs has increased in 2026, and the agency will assist enterprises in preparing inspection documents such as product manuals and MSDS reports. For unpacking inspection, the agency will guide enterprises to place goods reasonably to facilitate customs inspection. In case of sampling and appraisal, the agency will follow up the test report process to ensure timely feedback of results and reduce port detention time.
Linda GaoYears of service：7Customer Rating：5.0
Documentation SupervisorStart a Chat
Special packaging agency services include compliant packaging scheme design. UN dangerous goods packaging requirements are updated in 2026, and the agency will assist enterprises in completing dangerous goods classification and appraisal, and select packaging materials that meet UN standards. For fragile goods, the agency will design buffer packaging schemes to reduce transportation damage rate. In addition, the agency will prepare MSDS reports to ensure compliance with international transportation requirements and avoid customs detention caused by packaging problems.
Jason WuYears of service：10Customer Rating：5.0
International Logistics & Supply Chain ManagerStart a Chat
Export tax refund audit agency services include document management and tax inquiry response. The frequency of tax inquiries increases in 2026, and the agency will assist enterprises in sorting out documents required for inquiries such as procurement contracts and logistics documents to ensure accurate response. At the same time, the agency will monitor the progress of tax refund declaration and handle errors in pre-declaration verification in a timely manner. For cross-month declaration, the agency will guide enterprises to adjust the declaration time to avoid overdue affecting tax refund.