AgencyImport and exportWhat services are specifically included?

Professional import and export agency services cover the following core links:

• End-to-end customs clearance management: Full-process logistics solution design from EXW to DDP
• Document compliance processing: Preparation of documents such as commercial invoices, packing lists,Origin Certificateand 27 other types of trade document preparation
• Tax optimization solutions: Apply the latest 2025 free trade agreements for tariff planning
• Special Cargo Handling: Special customs clearance services for dangerous goods/cold chain/ATA carnet, etc.
• Foreign exchange risk control: A combined solution of forward foreign exchange settlement and cross-border RMB settlement

What is the complete operational process for import and export agency?

A standardized agency service process includes 5 key stages:

• Pre - preparation Stage
  • Sign a tripartite service agreement (principal-agent-overseas client)
  • Complete the pre-classification of the commodity HS code
• Cargo shipment stage
  • Arrange for door-to-door transport according to the trade terms
  • ProcessTax RebatesFiling (if required)
• Customs declaration and inspection stage
  • Full implementation of the "Single Window" 3.0 system for declaration from 2025
  • Respond to the differentiated inspection of customs AEO certified enterprises
• Foreign exchange settlement stage
  • Control the difference between receipts and payments of foreign exchange to within a reasonable range of ±5%
  • Handle tax declarations under cross-border trade in services
• After-sales traceability stage
  • Keep a full set of trade documents for at least 5 years
  • Assist in responding to trade remedy measures such as anti-dumping investigations

What fees are involved in import and export agency?

The 2025 agency service fee structure shows new characteristics:

• Basic service fee: Usually charged at 0.8%-1.5% of the cargo value (can be as low as 0.3% for bulk commodities)
• Government fees: Includes statutory fees such as customs declaration and inspection, port construction, and port miscellaneous fees
• Cost of funds: The financing cost for advancing tax payments (annualized interest rate of about 4.35%-5.6%)
• Special service fee:
  • Issuance of RCEP declaration of origin: 800-1500 RMB/shipment
  • Customs advanced certification counseling: 50,000-80,000 RMB/time

What qualifications does an enterprise need to have to entrust an import and export agent?

According to the [incomplete content in 2025]foreign tradeImplementation Rules for the Trade Law:

• Not mandatory: Enterprises can directly entrust an agent without handling import and export business rights
• Recommended to handle: Enterprises with an annual export value exceeding 5 million RMB should apply for a customs code independently
• Special industries:Medical Devices, food contact materials, etc., require an industry license
• New regulation reminder: From January 1, 2025,Cross-border E-commerceB2B direct export requires completion of overseas warehouse filing

How to choose between self-operated import/export and agency import/export?

It is recommended to refer to the following decision matrix:

• Situations where choosing an agent is better:
  • Annual import/export frequency is less than 20 shipments
  • Single shipment value is less than 500,000 RMB
  • Multilateral trade involving more than 3 countries
• Situations suitable for self-operation:
  • Have a dedicated foreign trade team (3 or more people)
  • Average monthly import/export exceeds 15 shipments
  • Need to control core customer channels

How to avoid common risks in import and export agency?

3 major risk points to pay special attention to in 2025:

• Compliance risk:
  • The US EAR regulations have added 56 new categories of controlled items
  • The EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) is officially implemented
• Logistics risks:
  • Contingency plan for the continued instability of the Red Sea shipping route
  • China-Europe Railway ExpressPriority space booking mechanism
• Payment risks:
  • Special handling of settlement through Russian NRE accounts
  • SWIFT GPI cross-border payment tracking function