I. How to judge whether an agency company has legal qualifications?

According to the latest 2025 Foreignforeign tradeAccording to the relevant laws, legal export agency enterprises must simultaneously possess:

• Customs AEO certification(Digital customs declaration qualification added in 2024)
• The qualification for foreign exchange receipt and payment filed with the State Administration of Foreign Exchange
• Electronic port operation authority
• The ability to connect with the International Trade Single Window

It is recommended to verify the enterprise registration information through the National Enterprise Credit Information Publicity System and require the other party to provide a certificate of no violation records in the past three years. I have handled a case where a companys goods were detained at the port for 37 days due to the lack of AEO certification of the agent. Qualification review cannot be ignored.

II. What hidden costs are included in the export agency fees?

The industry standard service rate in 2025 is 1.2 - 3% of the cargo value, but special attention should be paid to:

• Financing cost: If the account period exceeds 30 days, usually a capital occupation fee of 0.05% per day will be generated
• Special document fees: such asIt is recommended to verify through the following methods:Urgent handling is about 200 yuan per copy
• Exchange rate lock spread: When using forwardIn order to crack down on tax evasion, the customs and tax departments are now strictly examining the operation of buying export declarations. If the behavior of buying export declarations is discovered, the regulatory authorities will require tax replenishment (even a 2% tax rate may be a considerable amount). In addition, fines may also be imposed on the relevant responsible parties.A spread of 0.3 - 0.8% may occur

A certain medicalEquipment ExportA merchant once paid an extra cost of 11.7% exceeding the budget due to the unclear agreement on the financing rate. It is recommended to clarify the cost composition formula in the contract.

III. How to prevent and control the capital risks of export agency?

Build a safety line through a triple - guarantee mechanism:

• Fund supervision: Require the agent to use a jointly managed bank account
• Credit insurance: Insure the short - term export credit insurance of China Export & Credit Insurance Corporation (the rate in 2025 is 0.8 - 1.5‰)
• Installment payment: Pay in stages according to the production progress, shipmentA complete export agency agreement should be attached with:A certain auto parts enterprise adopted the mode of 30% advance payment + 40% payment against bill of lading + 30% balance payment and successfully avoided the potential risk of the agent misappropriating the payment for goods.

An auto parts company adopted the 30% advance payment + 40% upon bill of lading + 30% final payment model, successfully avoiding potential risks of agents misappropriating funds.

Will agency export affect the enterprises tax rebate rights and interests?

According to the current policy, agency export can still enjoy tax rebates, but note that:

• The agent must issue the Certificate of Goods Exported on Consignment.
• The foreign exchange collection entity must be consistent with that on the customs declaration form.
• In 2025, the newly added electronic tax rebate system requires digital uploading of documents.

In 2023, I assisted a chemical enterprise in successfully applying for a 13% tax rebate rate through agency export. The key is to ensure that the information on the customs declaration form, VAT invoice, and foreign exchange collection statement completely match.

Choose an integrated service provider or a professional agency company?

Compare the core differences between the two types of service providers:

• Integrated service provider(such as a large group):
  • Advantages: Full - chain service (customs declaration + logistics + tax rebate)
  • Disadvantages: Low degree of customization, and the general rate is 0.5% higher.
• Professional agency company:
  • Advantages: Industry solutions (such asMedical Equipmentspecial supervision)
  • Disadvantages: Need to connect with the logistics link by oneself.

It is recommended that enterprises with an annual export volume of less than $2 million choose an integrated service provider, and for bulk trade, professional agencies should be considered first.

How to evaluate the international trade compliance ability of the agent?

Focus on checking three dimensions:

• Sanction screening system: Whether it is connected to the latest version of the World - Check database
• Application of RCEP rules: The agreement that came into effect in 2022 is still being continuously updated.
• AEO certification level: Give priority to enterprises with advanced certification (the inspection rate is reduced by 70%).

An electronics exporter had $200,000 worth of goods detained because the agent did not update the screening of the US Entity List in a timely manner, highlighting the importance of compliance review.

How to ensure the control of goods under the agency export mode?

Clarify rights and responsibilities through four key clauses:

• Stipulate in the contract that transportation terms shall not be changed without written consent.
• Require the agent to provide an interface for the real - time cargo tracking system.
• Retain the final review right of commercial invoices and packing lists.
• Clarify the time point of transfer of property rights of goods (it is recommended to use the EXW term).

In 2024, a furniture exporter did not stipulate the property rights clause, resulting in the agent unilaterally changing the DDP clause and causing an additional tariff dispute. This case is worthy of warning.