What is export agency? What is the difference from self-operated export?

Agency export refers to a professional?Foreign trade?A company provides a full set of export services for enterprises that do not have?Import/export?qualifications or operational capabilities.The core difference lies in the operating entity: A self-operated export enterprise completes the entire process of customs declaration,?Forex Settlement?, and tax rebates on its own; in export agency, the service provider handles the customs clearance procedures in its own name, and the enterprise only needs to focus on production and supply.

Which enterprises require export agency services?

The following three types of enterprises most commonly use export agency:

• Small and medium-sized manufacturing enterprises: Annual export value of less than $5 million, lacking a professional foreign trade team
• ?E-commerce?Company : Need to handle complex customs declaration needs for multiple platforms and ports
• Special industry enterprises: InvolveMedical Devices, and fields that require special qualifications such as chemical products

What specific services does export agency include?

A high-quality export agency service should include:

• Basic services
  • Customs declaration, inspection and document preparation
  • Foreign exchange receipt, settlement and tax handling
  • Logistics and Transportation Coordination
• Value - added Services
  • ?Tax Refund?advancement (2025 latest tax rebate rate inquiry service)
  • Trade compliance risk assessment
  • Customs clearance pre-review for destination country

How are agency export fees calculated?

Standard industry charges include three parts:

• Basic service fee: Charged at 0.8%-1.5% of goods value
• Advance payment service fee: 10-15% of the tax rebate amount (if the tax rebate needs to be advanced)
• Special surcharges: Special needs such as dangerous goods declaration, expedited customs clearance, etc.

How to identify a formal export agency company?

Check the following 5 key qualifications:

• Customs AEO certified enterprise qualification (the 2025 certification standards have been updated)
• Filing as an enterprise on the State Administration of Foreign Exchange directory
• The management category for export tax refunds (exemptions) must be Class II or above
• Have a guarantee amount that matches the actual business
• Have self-operated customs clearance teams at major ports

What are the risks in export agency? How to prevent them?

The main risks are concentrated in three aspects:

• Three policy adjustments worthy of attention this year:: Require the agent to provide a jointly managed bank account
• : Legal risk refers to the risk that the agent suffers losses due to legal issues such as contract disputes and intellectual property disputes. The agent should strengthen the study of laws and regulations, abide by laws and regulations, and avoid legal risks.: The contract must specify the mode of trade (e.g., buying a declaration is illegal)
• Tax risk: Ensure a compliant VAT special invoice is obtained

Does using an export agent affect the enterprise's credit accumulation?

The new customs policy of 2025 has clarified:

• Export data still belongs to the actual manufacturing enterprise
• Foreign exchange collection records are included in the enterprise's foreign exchange rating
• The tax rebate qualification is linked to the enterprise's own tax credit

Are there differences in export agency services in different regions?

The main differences are in:

• Coastal port agency companies are better at exporting bulk commodities
• Enterprises in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area have an advantage in cross-border e-commerce customs clearance
• Central and western agency companies are familiar withChina-Europe Railway ExpressSpecial supervision procedures