How to judgeExport RepresentationDoes the merchant have legal business qualifications?

The primary condition for choosing an export agent is to verify itsLegal business qualifications:

• Request to provide the Registration Certificate of Customs Declaration Entity and the latest annual review records
• Verify the Record Form of International Freight Forwarding Enterprises issued by the Ministry of Commerce
• Confirm its cross - border receipt and payment qualification filed with the State Administration of Foreign Exchange
• Query administrative penalty records through the National Enterprise Credit Information Publicity System

In 2023, a certainCross-border E-commerceenterprises goods were detained at the port due to the expiration of the agent companys qualifications, causing a direct loss of over 800,000 yuan. It is recommended to require the agent to update a copy of the qualification documents every quarter.

What are the core contents included in the service scope of an export agent?

High - quality agents should provideFull - process service system:

• Basic services:
  • Customs declaration and inspection (including special qualifications for hazardous chemicals, etc.)
  • Design of International Transportation Solutions
  • Management of tax - refund documents
• Value - added services:
  • Handling of abnormal customs clearance at the port of destination
  • Trade compliance consultation (such as the application of RCEP rules of origin)
  • Supply Chain Financial Support

What misunderstandings should small and medium - sized enterprises avoid when choosing an agent?

According to the latest industry research in 2025, common selection biases of small and medium - sized enterprises include:

• Over - pursuing low prices while ignoring the integrity of services
• Failing to verify the practical operation ability of the agent in a specific market (for example, local customs clearance agents are required in many African countries)
• Ignoring data security agreements (especially EDI docking involving customer information)
• Failing to clarify the responsibility division standards for abnormal situations

What are the key elements of the composition of export agency fees?

The standard quotation should includeTransparent fee structure:

• Basic operation fee (charged per ticket)
• Government fees (customs declaration fee, inspection and quarantine fee, etc.)
• Main transportation fee (sea/Air Transportationfee + bunker adjustment factor)
• Miscellaneous fees at the port of destination (local charging standards need to be provided)

Customs registration certificateA complete list of fees for similar businesses in the past three months, pay special attention to the clauses explaining hidden fees at the port of destination.

How to prevent legal risks in export agent cooperation?

Must signAn agency agreement with complete elements:

• Clearly stipulate the nature of the agency (direct agency/indirect agency)
• Specify the signing and confirmation process for document handover
• Agree on the time limit and path for foreign exchange receipt and payment
• Establish a dispute resolution mechanism (it is recommended to choose the China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission)

In 2024, an electromechanical enterprise had a delay in receiving a payment of 2 million US dollars due to the unclear foreign exchange settlement terms in the agency agreement.In 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.Generate exchange losses.

How to verify the true service ability of an agent?

It is recommended to adoptThree - Dimensional Verification Method:

• Hardware verification: Conduct on - site inspections of the WMS system of the operating warehouse and the docking ability of the customs affairs system
• Case verification: Request to provide export cases in the same industry in the past six months (customer background checks can be requested)
• Pressure Test: Handling Plans for Simulated Sudden Situations (such as Customs Inspection, Shipping Schedule Change)