How to choose an export agency company? What services are included? How to avoid cooperation risks?

Export RepresentationWhat core services does the company specifically provide?

Professional export agency companies primarily offerEnd-to-end trade services, Specifically Including:

• Documentation Processing: Preparation of customs declaration documents such as commercial invoices, packing lists,It is recommended to verify through the following methods:Complete set of export documents
• Customs Declaration and Inspection: Coordinating customs declarations, commodity inspection and quarantine clearance procedures
• Logistics Management: IntegrateMaritime Transportation/Air TransportationResources, handling bookings, insurance, and shipment tracking
• : Handling cross - border foreign exchange receipts and payments, reporting to the State Administration of Foreign Exchange: Agency foreign exchange collection/payment, processingExport DrawbackDeclaration
• Compliance risk control: Monitoring trade sanction lists, ensuring compliance with target country import regulations

How to evaluate an export agency companys professional capabilities?

It is recommended to assess from five dimensions:

• Industry Qualifications:
  • Customs AEO certified enterprises
  • FIATA (International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations) members
• Service network:
  • Branch offices established at major ports
  • Overseas agency partnerships covering target markets
• Digitalization level:
  • Providing real-time logistics tracking systems
  • Electronic document auto-generation capability
• Special Qualifications:
  • Dangerous goods transportation qualification (if applicable)
  • CategoryMedical EquipmentExport experience in specific categories

What items are included in the agency service fees?

The 2025 typical fee structure includes:

• Basic service fee: Charged at 0.8%-1.5% of cargo value (minimum charge of 3000 RMB per shipment)
• Special handling fee:
  • Sensitive category surcharge: e.g. 15% additional charge for lithium battery products
  • Expedited service fee: customs clearance expedited service starting from 2000 RMB per shipment
• Risk guarantee: Approximately 10% of cargo value (refunded after customs clearance)

How to prevent legal risks in cooperation?

Three key compliance points require special attention:

• Agency Agreement Clauses:
  • Clearly define liability allocation clauses
  • Agree on breach of contract compensation standards
• Document authenticity:
  • Retain original contract copies
  • Regularly verify customs declaration data
• Foreign Exchange Management:
  • Require provision of foreign exchange payment receipts
  • Monitor tax refund progress (normal cycle 45-60 working days)

What requires special attention when exporting to emerging markets?

Recommendations for emerging markets like Southeast Asia and Africa:

• Select localized service providers:
  • For example, prioritize agents with customs clearance teams in Ho Chi Minh City for the Vietnamese market
• Pre-review trade barriers:
  • Nigeria SONCAP certification
  • Saudi SABER certification
• Logistics solution testing:
  • For new routes, recommend sending samples for testing first
  • Reserve 20% additional transportation time

How to choose between self - export and agency export?

Comparison and decision-making can be made from three dimensions:

• Annual export volume threshold:
  • For amounts below $2 million, an agency model is recommended
  • For amounts exceeding $5 million, consider building an in-house team
• Product complexity:
  • Involves3CPrioritize agency models for certified products and anti-dumping categories
• Market concentration:
  • Diversified multi-country orders are suitable for agency models
  • Large-volume single-country orders can be handled directly