対外貿(mào)易輸出代理店What exactly is business?

対外貿(mào)易輸出代理店Refers to professional service firms providing services to enterprisesEnd-to-End Export Solutions, core services include:

• Document preparation and compliance review (invoices, packing lists, certificates of origin, etc.)
• Customs clearance and transportation coordination (sea/air freight booking, customs procedures)
• Foreign Exchange Settlement and Tax Rebate Processing (verification of foreign exchange receipts and payments, tax rebate declaration)
• Trade Risk Management (Letter of Credit Review, Trade Barrier Early Warning)

According to the latest 2025 data released by the General Administration of Customs of China, the number of nationwide import and export agency enterprises registered has increased by 47% compared with 2020, reflecting the sustained market demand for professional foreign trade services.

What is the fundamental difference between self-operated export and agency export?

The core difference between the two lies inlegal subjectwithResponsibility allocation：

• Legal Entity:
  • Self-operated export: The enterprise assumes full responsibility for its import and export rights.
  • Agency Export: The agency company acts as the nominal exporter
• Operating Costs:
  • Self-operated businesses need to maintain their own customs declaration, logistics, and documentation teams.
  • The agency model pays service fees based on transaction volume

How are export agency service fees calculated?

The mainstream monetization models in 2025 include:

• Basic service fee: Charged at 0.8%–1.5% of the cargo value (including customs declaration and documentation)
• Value-added service fee：
  • Special Document Authentication: 500–2,000 RMB per document
  • Expedited customs clearance: 300–800 RMB per shipment
• Risk deposit: 3–5% of the cargo value (refundable)

Note that some agents may charge hidden fees; it is recommended to request full disclosure.Fee Details Comparison Table」でした.

How to evaluate the professional competence of a foreign trade agency?

Focus on examining five dimensions:

• Compliance Qualifications: AEO Certification by Customs, Filing with the State Administration of Foreign Exchange
• Industry Experience: Export cases of similar products (provide 3 recent cases)
• Emergency Response: Customs Clearance Exception Response Time (Standard: ≤2 hours)
• Technical Skills: EDI Customs Declaration System, Logistics Tracking Platform
• Fund security: Whether to establish a third-party escrow account

What are the potential risks of using an export agent?

Special attention must be paid to three categories of risk scenarios:

• Document risk: The agency unilaterally altered the HS code, resulting in a customs penalty
• Funding risk: Misappropriation of Goods Payment Due to Absence of a Dedicated Account
• associated risk: Customs clearance restrictions triggered by violations committed by the agent's other clients

It is recommended to specify this clearly in the contract.Fault Liability Clause, require the agent to take out professional liability insurance.

What are the new trends in the foreign trade agency industry in 2025?

The industry is showing three notable shifts:

• Digital services: Blockchain-based verification and widespread adoption of intelligent customs declaration systems
• Compliance Requirements Upgraded: EU CBAM Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism Reporting Becomes a New Service Offering
• Extension of the service chain: Value-added services such as overseas warehouse supervision and tax declaration in the destination country

It is recommended to prioritize options withCross-border digital capabilitiesservice providers to address the new trade regulations that will take effect after the full implementation of RCEP in 2025.