How can import and export agency services help you avoid trade risks? These 10 questions must be understood in advance

service expert with 20 years of industry experience, this article will systematically analyze the core points of clothingExport Representationandforeign tradeWhat is the essential difference between companies?

The essential difference lies inService scope and legal status:

• import and exportAs a service provider, the agent does not own the ownership of the goods and focuses on links such as customs clearance, tax rebate, and document processing
• As a trading entity, the foreign trade company assumes the responsibility of the purchase and sales contract and needs to handle the entire trade process by itself
  • According to 2023 customs data, 73% of small, medium, and micro - sized enterprises choose agency services to reduce capital occupation

What hidden costs are included in the agency service fee?

The charging structure of a regular agency should include:

• Basic service fee (customs declaration, inspection declaration, document preparation)
• Government fees collected on behalf (tariffs, value - added tax, quarantine fees)
• Special reminder of new items in 2025:
  • Cross - border data compliance audit fee (new clause based on the Digital Economy and Trade Law)
  • Green tariff pre - review service fee

How to verify the customs qualifications of an agency company?

Three core documents must be verified:

• Customs AEO certification certificate (issued by the General Administration of Customs of China)
• Record - keeping certificate of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange
• Operation authority of the International Trade Single Window (system screenshots are required)

Case: In 2024, due to the lack of AEO qualifications of the agent, equipment worth 2 million US dollars of an enterprise was detained at the port for 37 days

What red lines should be noted for the agency of special goods?

Key points for handling key supervised product categories:

• Medical Equipment类：FDA/CE认证有效性核查
• Chemical products: Compliance review of MSDS documents
• Food products: The electronic traceability label system will be implemented in 2025

How to define the responsibilities of the agent under the DDP terms?

Points of responsibility division that need special attention:

• Delivery duty paid does not mean the transfer of full - process responsibility
• It is recommended to clarify in the agency agreement:
  • The sharing ratio of port demurrage charges at the port of destination
  • Anti - dumping duty retroactive mechanism

What are the changes in the key points of customs inspections in 2025?

Based on the latest regulatory trends, a reminder:

• Integrity review of transfer pricing documents (both Chinese and English versions are required)
• Carbon Emission Data Tracing (Full Link from Raw Material Procurement to Transportation)
• Specification for Declaring Digital Service Fee Split

What are the common traps of tax rebate delays?

Analysis of Typical Cases in the Past Three Years:

• The agent failed to submit in a timely mannerA complete export agency agreement should be attached with:Vouchers (Accounting for 62%)
• Incorrect Classification of Commodity Codes (Triggering Customs Doubts)
• Contradiction between Export Date and Transport Documents

How to avoid HS code declaration errors?

Safeguard Measures of Professional Agents:

• Three - stage Review Mechanism: System Pre - classification → Manual Review → Third - party Verification
• Provide Customs Classification Opinions (Legally Binding)
• Regularly Update the Revision Content of the 2025 Harmonized System

Cross-border E-commerceWhat Agent Support is Needed for the Transformation?

New Service Modules Include:

• Overseas Warehouse Data - linked Declaration System
• Green Channel for Returned Goods Clearance
• Handling of Special Qualifications for Cross - border Live - streaming E - commerce

How to evaluate the emergency response ability of an agency company?

Key Performance Indicators:

• Customs On - site Coordination Response Time (For High - quality Agents ≤ 2 hours)
• Reserve Quantity of Crisis Case Database (It is Recommended to Require the Provision of Cases Handled in the Past Three Years)
• Configuration of Customs Lawyers Team