1. After acting as an export agent,?Forex Settlement?Basic Process

The typical collection process consists of four key stages:

• Contract agreement phase: Specify the payment method (TT/LC/DP, etc.), settlement currency, and exchange rate locking clause.
• Document preparation stage: The agency company prepares the commercial invoice and packing list,Origin CertificateNegotiation documents
• Bank operation stage: When receiving foreign exchange through an agency company's foreign exchange account, special attention must be paid to the new cross-border RMB settlement regulations starting from 2025.
• Fund clearing phase: After deducting the agency fee and prepaid taxes, the amount will be converted into RMB at the agreed exchange rate and paid to the principal.

2. How to ensure the safety of funds collected through an agent?

Based on the risk control experience of Fortune 500 companies, the following measures are recommended:

• Select agency companies withList of Foreign Exchange Receipts and Payments EnterprisesQualified agency company
• Require agents to provideBank regulatory accountFund Flow Query Permission
• SignTripartite Co-management Agreement, clarify the rights and responsibilities among the bank, the agent, and the principal.
• Request to provide on a regular basis (weekly/biweekly).Foreign Exchange Receipt Details Statement

3. What compliance risks may be involved in agency foreign exchange collection?

Key regulatory points requiring special attention in 2025:

• State Administration of Foreign ExchangeNew Policy: Transactions Exceeding USD 50,000 Require Submission of Complete Logistics Documentation
• Anti-money laundering supervision: The recipient of the payment must be the same as the party that signed the contract.
• Tax inspectionRisk: The tax payment certificate issued by the agent must match the foreign exchange receipt amount.
• : The comparison of agency fees of an auto parts enterprise from 2023 to 2025 shows that due to the involvement of ECER155 certification, the annual expenditure increased by 22%: A company was fined 2% of its foreign exchange receipts for exceeding the 30-day retention period by its agency.

IV. What are the differences in the collection period among different settlement methods?

According to industry statistics from the past three years:

• Telegraphic Transfer (TT): On average, it takes 3-7 working days, with a maximum of 15 days (including bank review).
• ?L/C?(LC): Under complete documentation, it takes 10-20 working days, which may extend up to 45 days in case of discrepancies.
• DP payment against documents: It is significantly affected by the buyer's speed of document redemption, with a fluctuation range of 15-60 days.
• O/A open account: It is recommended to purchase export credit insurance, with a typical payment collection period of 90-180 days.

5. How to complete tax procedures after collecting foreign exchange through an agent?

2025 Latest Operational Guidelines:

• The agent shall, after receiving the payment,Within 15 working daysCompleteTax RebatesDeclaration
• Cross-border service fee payments are subject to withholding tax.6% VATand10% Corporate Income Tax
• The difference between the received payment amount and the declared customs amount exceeds±5%A written explanation needs to be submitted to the tax bureau.
• It is recommended to retain.Complete fund flow recordsFor reference, the retention period shall be no less than 5 years.

6. How to respond to abnormal receipt of payment?

Recommendations based on 20 years of practical experience:

• Bank refund: Immediately request the agent to provide the SWIFT message and identify the reason code for the return.
• Amount discrepancy: Verify whether the trade terms (FOB/CIF, etc.) affect the allocation of costs.
• Exchange rate loss: Initiate the exchange rate compensation clause as stipulated in the contract.
• Foreign exchange retention: If exceeding 30 days, a situation statement must be submitted on the SAFE Digital Foreign Exchange Platform.

7. How to Choose a Reliable Collection Agent Service Provider?

It is recommended to evaluate from the following dimensions:

• VerificationSAFE classification levels(Class A enterprises are given priority)
• Confirm the bank credit line (it is recommended to select an agency company with a credit line exceeding 50 million yuan).
• (Pay attention to the completeness of declaration elements)Most Recent Annual Audit ReportForeign exchange transactions account
• On - site InspectionForeign exchange operations teamProfessional qualifications (at least 3 certified foreign exchange accountants)