What kind of service does export agency belong to? How should foreign trade enterprises make the right choice?

Export RepresentationDoes it belong to trade services or legal intermediaries?

Export agency essentially belongs toprofessional trade service providersand its legal status is clearly defined in the Measures for the Administration of International Trade Agencies. According to the latest revised Classification Standard for Cross - border Trade Services in 2025, export agency services are classified into the B2B professional service field and need to hold the Permit issued by the Ministry of Commerce.foreign tradeThe Record-filing Form for Foreign Trade Operators and the Registration Certificate for Declaration Entities issued by the General Administration of Customs.

What specific business scope does export agency cover?

Modern export agency services have formed a complete service system:

• Basic service layer
  • Customs declaration, inspection and document preparation
  • Trade compliance consultation
  • Export DrawbackAgency
• Value-added service layer
  • Trade compliance review (new RECP regional rules of origin consultation added in 2025)
  • Supply chain financial services
  • Digital customs system docking

What is the essential difference between agency export and self - operated export?

Analysis from the perspectives of legal relations and tax treatment:

• Differences in contract subjects: Under the agency model, the foreign trade contract is directly signed by the principal and the foreign merchant, and the agent only charges service fees.
• Ownership of tax refund rights: According to the new export tax refund policy in 2025, the entity applying for tax refund for agency exports must be the actual owner of the goods.
• Risk - bearing methods: In a compliant agency relationship, the risk of payment collection and payment is borne by the principal.

What new changes should be noted when choosing an export agency in 2025?

Combined with the latest trade supervision requirements, it is recommended to focus on the following aspects:

• Data compliance capabilities: It is necessary to have a customs system that has passed the AEO certification of the General Administration of Customs.
• Green trade qualifications: Ability to respond to the EU CBAM carbon border tax mechanism.
• Application of regional agreements: Ability to provide origin services under agreements such as RECP and DEPA.
• Digital docking: Support direct connection with the Single Window 3.0 system.

How to verify the compliance of an export agency?

It is recommended to verify through the following channels:

• Log in to the official website of the Ministry of Commerce to check the validity of the Record - filing for Foreign Trade Operators.
• Check the information of the Registration of Declaration Entities publicly announced by the General Administration of Customs.
• Request to present the Cross - border Trade Service Enterprise Credit Rating Certificate for 2025.
• Verify the cross - border payment and foreign exchange receipt and payment qualifications filed with the State Administration of Foreign Exchange.

How is the service fee of an export agency composed?

Industry standard service fees in 2025 include:

• Basic service fee: Usually charged at 0.8% - 1.5% of the cargo value.
• Special surcharges:
  • Special document certification (such as the new ASEAN e - document in 2025)It is recommended to verify through the following methods:Trade dispute settlement mechanisms
  • Emergency logistics coordination
  • Legal support for trade disputes
• Risk guarantee deposit: According to the latest premium rate of Sinosure, it is 0.2% of the cargo value.

It is recommended that when choosing agency services, enterprises should focus on the practical experience of service providers in dealing with the Smart Customs Declaration 2.0 system promoted by the General Administration of Customs in 2025, as well as their professional capabilities in handling new trade barriers (such as EU carbon tax declarations). At the same time, pay attention to avoiding choosing service providers that promise tax - inclusive or holding foreign exchange on behalf and other illegal operations, so as not to violate the Cross - border Trade Anti - money Laundering Supervision Measures implemented in 2025.Must exports be handled through an agent? Answers to 6 agency service questions that novice foreign traders care about mostWhat kind of service is export agency? How should foreign trade enterprises choose correctly?_Shanghai Zhongshen International Trade Import and Export Agency Service