1. Export RepresentationWhat legal qualifications does the company need?

According to the latest industry guidelines issued by the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade in 2024, compliant export agency companies must possess:

• Customs AEO certification qualification(Need to check customs registration code)
• Yesforeign tradeForeign Trade Operator Registration Form
• Record - keeping certificate of international freight forwarder
• (Enterprises of category B and above are in normal status)
• ISO9001 quality management system certification (not mandatory but recommended)

Taking a typical case investigated by Shenzhen Customs in 2025 as an example, an enterprise suffered losses of 2.3 million yuan due to using an unqualified agent that led to tax rebate obstruction. It is recommended to verify enterprise qualifications through the China Customs Enterprise Credit Information Publicity Platform.import and exportWhat hidden costs are included in agency fees?

What hidden costs are included in agency fees?

Professional agency companies should clearly distinguish the following cost components in their quotations:

• Basic service fee (document preparation, customs declaration and inspection)
• Government fees (charged as incurred)
• Logistics surcharges:
  • Peak season surcharge (e.g., December surcharge for Europe-America routes)
  • Special cargo handling fee (dangerous goods/oversized items)
• Emergency handling deposit (recommended not to exceed 2% of contract amount)

A 2024 case of low-price trap encountered by a Ningbo foreign trade company showed that the initial 3% service fee quotation ultimately reached 9.7% in actual payment, mainly due to unspecified port congestion surcharges and amendment fees.

How to verify an agency companys overseas customs clearance capability?

It is recommended to verify through three dimensions:

• Request destination port clearance time data (EU average clearance time in 2025 is 48 hours)
• Verify overseas cooperation network:
  • Whether local subsidiaries are established
  • Whether joined international freight alliances like WCA
• Request recent customs clearance cases of similar goods

A certain medicalEquipment ExportIn 2025, choosing an agency company with Brazil ANVISA certification reduced clearance time from the conventional 45 days to 12 days.

What clauses require special attention in agency contracts?

According to the 2025 revised International Trade Agency Service Standards, key review areas include:

• Liability division clauses (especially timing of cargo ownership transfer)
• Definition of force majeure scope (need to specify whether port strikes are included)
• Dispute resolution method (recommended to specify China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission)
• Data confidentiality clauses (must comply with Data Security Law requirements)

How to handleExport DrawbackRisks?

High-quality agency companies should provide triple safeguards:

• Pre-review service (complete document compliance review before cargo export)
• Real-time tracking (connected to tax bureaus Golden Tax Phase IV system)
• Risk compensation mechanism (compensation for tax refund losses caused by document errors)

In 2024, a machinery export company avoided 870,000 yuan in tax refund losses due to timely HS code error detection by the agency.

What should be noted for special cargo agency?

For special categories like dangerous goods and food:Medical EquipmentRequire the agency to present specific qualification certificates (e.g., hazardous chemicals operation license)

• Require agents to present specific qualification certificates (such as hazardous chemicals business license)
• Confirm whether professional transportation equipment is available (UN-certified packaging/cold chain equipment)
• Verify the update frequency of destination country access qualifications (e.g., FDA certification requires renewal every 2 years)

How to evaluate an agencys emergency response capabilities?

Recommend testing through simulated scenarios:

• Sudden customs inspection (request processing efficiency records from the last 12 months)
• Solutions for unclaimed cargo at destination ports
• Emergency response to trade sanctions (e.g., recent export restrictions imposed on certain countries)

A textile exporter successfully avoided shipping route disruptions caused by the Red Sea crisis in 2025 by having their agency promptly activate alternative ports in Myanmar.

What are the specific manifestations of digital service capabilities?

High-quality agencies in 2025 should possess:

• Real-time cargo tracking system (with no more than 4 hours of error)
• Automated document generation system
• EDI data integration capability (supporting at least 3 standard formats)
• Mobile customs declaration status inquiry function

How can SMEs choose cost-effective solutions?

Recommend adopting the basic service package + on-demand value-added services model:

• Basic package includes: document preparation,Export Clearance, foreign exchange settlement
• Optional value-added services:
  • Destination port customs clearance (charged per shipment)
  • Supply chain financing (based on payment term requirements)

How to establish long-term healthy cooperative relationships?

From the supplier management experience of a Fortune 500 company, key elements include:

• Establishing quarterly business review mechanisms
• Sharing market intelligence (e.g., RCEP tariff changes)
• Joint participation inInternational LogisticsTrade shows
• Co-developing digital management systems