How to determine professional advancementExport Agent ServicesWhat are the company's qualifications?

ChooseImport and exportWhen selecting an agency service provider, it is recommended to evaluate from three dimensions:

• Legal qualification verification
  • Check the validity of the "Customs Declaration Unit Registration Certificate" (pay special attention to the annual review status if the validity period extends to 2025).
  • Please confirm whether the company is registered in the "List of Enterprises for Trade Foreign Exchange Receipts and Payments" issued by the State Administration of Foreign Exchange.
• Business Capability Assessment
  • Please provide customs clearance cases of similar products from the past 2 years (it is recommended to randomly inspect actual customs declarations from the fourth quarter of 2024).
  • Verify the global network coverage capability of its cooperative logistics providers (especially routes to RCEP member countries).
• Risk control system
  • Inquire about the resolution of commodity classification disputes (the 2025 edition of HS codes has added new classifications for AI products).
  • Please confirm whether pre-classification services and compliance training are provided.

What are the key nodes in the standard import and export agency process?

Taking the export of electromechanical products as an example, the typical agency process in 2025 includes:

• Pre - filing stage(3-5 business days)
  • related products?3C certification?Verification (Note the 2025 EU CE Certification Update Requirements)
  • Tax RebatesPre-qualification review
• Logistics execution stageProcess and Frequently Asked Questions for Exporting Mining Machinery to Southeast Asia | Shanghai Import/Export AgentMaritime transportAverage 15-20 days)
  • Cabin Lock and VGM Declaration
  • Destination Port ISF 10+2 Filing (Mandatory for U.S. Routes)
• Customs clearance guarantee phase
  • Application of Intelligent Classification Pre-Review System
  • AEO-certified enterprise fast clearance channel

What are the hidden costs in the composition of import and export agency fees?

The 2025 agency service fee typically includes both explicit and implicit costs:

• Explicit Costs(Contract Express)
  • Basic Service Fee: 0.8%-1.2% of the cargo value (can be reduced to 0.5% for electronic products)
  • Document processing fee: 200-500 RMB per shipment
• Hidden Costs(Special attention required)
  • Customs inspection and storage fee: starting from 2,000 yuan/day (tiered pricing has been implemented at Shenzhen Port as of 2025).
  • Exchange rate lock period differential (price difference must be covered for payment terms exceeding 30 days)

How to handle customs inspections efficiently when encountered?

By 2025, the coverage rate of the Customs Smart Inspection System will reach 90%. The following response measures are recommended:

• Prevention stage
  • Request the agency to provide HS code three-level review services.
  • Prepare the "Technical Parameter Comparison Table" in advance (especially for products with AI functions).
• Response phase
  • Submit electronic explanations via the "Customs-Enterprise Express" system (response time reduced to 2 hours).
  • Application for Advance Classification Ruling (Review Cycle to Be Reduced to 7 Working Days by 2025)

What are the key changes in international trade policies for 2025?

The key policy adjustments in this year include:

• Customs supervision
  • Fully implement "intelligent image review" (increase the proportion of CT machine inspections to 60%).
  • Promote the "two-step declaration" model (customs clearance time reduced by 40%).
• Tax policy
  • Cross-border E-commerce"Paperless" Full Coverage of B2B Export Tax Rebates
  • The scope of application of the RCEP rules of origin accumulation has been expanded.

How to avoid choosing an unreliable agency?

Be alert to the following three typical risk signals:

• Abnormal quotation
  • The service fee is more than 30% below the market price (there may be risks associated with export transactions).
• Process missing
  • Does not provide a formal customs pre-declaration review document (violates Customs Announcement No. 85 of 2025).
• Incomplete qualifications
  • Unable to present a direct booking agreement with the shipping company (possibly due to multi-tier subcontracting).