Home»Trade Guides» Export Agency Certificate: What You Need for Trade
1. Export Agent ServicesIs the certificate an official document issued by the government?
In the international trade practice in 2025,The China Customs and the Ministry of Commerce have not established an official certificate named "Export Agency License."13.. This concept is commonly seen in the following two scenarios:
Applied for independently by enterprisesImport and exportBusiness operation record - filing documents
foreign tradeSigned in agency servicesAgency Export Agreement
It should be noted that some non-compliant service agencies may disguise agency cooperation agreements as so-called "certificates," which requires enterprises to carefully discern.
2. Cant do foreign trade without an export agency certificate?
The core of carrying out import and export business lies in obtaining legal qualifications, which are specifically divided into two methods:
Self - operated mode:
Apply for registration as a customs importer/exporter
Complete the record - filing with the State Administration of Foreign Exchange
Obtain the Electronic Port IC card
Agent - export mode:
Sign a contract with an agency company with import and export rights
Complete customs declaration through the agent?Forex Settlement?and other procedures
3. What essential documents are required for agent - export?
In the agency export business in 2025, enterprises should prepare the following core documents:
Agency Agreement(The rights and responsibilities of both parties need to be clarified)
Proforma invoice and packing list
The import and export qualification certificate of the agent
New electronic versionOrigin Certificate(Applicable to countries with free trade agreements)
How to obtain the import and export right qualification? How many steps are there?
According to the latest policies in 2025, the self - handling process for enterprises is as follows:
The first step: Industrial and commercial change
Add "import and export business" to the scope of operations.
Update the business license (completed within 3 working days)
The second step: Customs filing
Declare online through the International Trade Single Window
Obtain a 10 - digit customs code (effective immediately)
The third step: Registration with the State Administration of Foreign Exchange
Open a bank account and register in the list of foreign exchange receipts and payments simultaneously
What risks should be noted when entrusting an agent for export?
Based on the dispute cases we have handled, we especially remind you to pay attention to:
In summary,There is no legally recognized "export agency certificate."Enterprises should choose the self - operation or agency export mode according to their actual needs. It is recommended that small and medium - sized enterprises with an annual export volume of less than 5 million RMB give priority to the agency mode to reduce operating costs. For specific business operations, enterprises can consult the local commerce department or professional trade service agencies to obtain the latest policy guidance.