Home»Common Knowledge of Foreign Trade» How to Act as an Export Agent for Goods? Authoritative Answers to Common Questions About Export Agency Services
How to Choose CompliantExport agentService providers?
Enterprises should focus on verifying three core qualifications:
Customs AEO certification qualification(2025 New Edition Certification Standards)
YesForeign tradeForeign Trade Operator Registration Form
Record - keeping certificate of international freight forwarder
It is recommended to require service providers to submit their customs credit rating records for the past two years, with priority given to AA or A-class enterprises. A case study of an electronic components company revealed that failure to verify the qualifications of an agent resulted in goods being detained at the port for 37 days, incurring additional storage fees of 120,000 yuan.
How are export agency services charged? Are there any hidden fees?
The standard fee structure includes:
Basic service fee (0.8%-1.5% of cargo value)
Customs declaration and inspection fees (charged per bill)
Document Handling Fee (including FORM E and other certificates)
Please pay special attention to potential additional fees:
Customs inspection service fee
Special packaging reinforcement fee
Emergency handling fee (upper limit must be specified in the contract)
How to handle foreign exchange payment risks in export agency?
It is recommended to adopt a triple safeguard mechanism:
Using Sinosure's short-term export credit insurance
Agreed TT payment with 30% deposit in advance.
Set additional terms for L/C document submission (e.g., the latest 2025 UCP600 amendment clauses).
A textile company reduced its bad debt ratio from 7.2% to 0.5% through a combined solution, while improving capital turnover efficiency by 40%.
Export tax rebateHow exactly should this be done? What materials need to be prepared?
Tax refund process under agency mode:
Sign a tripartite agreement (manufacturer, foreign trade company, agent)
Prepare the "two lists and two tickets":
Customs Declaration Form (2025 New Version Electronic Customs Declaration Form)
Shipping Order
Special VAT Invoice
export invoices
The tax refund cycle has been shortened to 15 working days (a 30% acceleration compared to 2023), but special requirements for cross-border RMB settlement must be noted.
How can agency exports ensure the safety of goods transportation?
It is recommended to clearly specify four key clauses in the transportation agreement:
Division of Transportation Responsibility Nodes (FOB/CIF Selection)
Standards for Cargo Damage Compensation (referring to the latest interpretation of INCOTERMS 2025)
Emergency plan response time
Insurance coverage (it is recommended to purchase all risks insurance)
What compliance issues should be considered when exporting special commodities?
Special requirements for different categories:
Lithium Battery: UN38.3 Test Report + MSDS Document
Food: Health Certificate from Importing Country (e.g., FDA New Regulation 2025 Edition)
Chemicals: GHS Standard Labels and SDS Documents
A new materials company suffered a loss of over 2 million yuan after an entire container of goods was returned at the Port of Rotterdam due to failure to update the REACH Regulation annex.
Requirements for Overseas Warehouse Data Integration
VAT Tax Payment Agency Service
It is recommended to choose an agency company with comprehensive cross-border e-commerce service qualifications. The new regulations in 2025 require all cross-border e-commerce data to be connected to the single-window platform.