I. What is an export enterprise agency certificate?

The export enterprise agency certificate (Customs Brokerage Authorization Certificate) is a qualification certificate document provided by an agency enterprise filed with customs to the entrusting party. According to the latest revised 2025 "Administrative Regulations on the Filing of Customs Declaration Units," this document must include the following core elements:

• The customs registration code of the agency enterprise
• The unified social credit code of the entrusting enterprise
• The specific business scope of the authorized agency
• The effective period signed and sealed by both parties

II. What role does the agency certificate play in theforeign tradeprocess?

As a "passport" for international trade, the agency certificate directly affects the following key links:

• Customs declaration: Proves the legal agency relationship of the customs declaration act
• : Agent for: Serves as an important voucher for the tax department to verify the agent's qualifications
• Credit certification: An essential document for customs AEO certification
• Dispute Resolution: The legal basis for defining the rights and obligations of both the agent and the principal

III. How to obtain a compliant agency certificate document?

A formal application process should include three core steps:

• Qualification verification stage
  • Confirm that the agency enterprise has customs filing qualifications
  • Verify whether the agency's scope includes the entrusted business
• Document signing stage
  • Use the customs standard format contract (2025 version)
  • Specify the agency period and geographical scope
• Filing and registration stage
  • Submit an electronic filing through the international trade "Single Window"
  • Keep paper documents for future reference for at least 3 years

IV. What are the common misconceptions about agency certificates?

According to statistics from 20 years of agency dispute cases, enterprises need to pay special attention to:

• Myth 1: "Standard format" is considered valid (in reality, clauses need to be customized according to the specific business)
• Myth 2: Electronic signatures do not need to be verified (must be a digital certificate with CA certification)
• Misconception 3: Long-term agency is more cost-effective (it is recommended to sign separately for single-shipment business)
• Misconception IV: Equivalent to a customs declaration power of attorney (the legal validity level is different)

V. What are the new changes to agency certificates in 2025?

According to Announcement No. 198 of the General Administration of Customs, the latest policy points include:

• Blockchain evidence storage: From July 2025, on-chain evidence storage for agency relationships will be implemented
• Dynamic QR code: The certificate document must include a verifiable anti-counterfeiting QR code
• Cross-border mutual recognition: Achieve mutual recognition of electronic certificates with RCEP member countries
• Disciplinary action for violations: False agency is included in the enterprise credit blacklist

It is recommended that enterprises, when choosing an agency service, ask the service provider to provide a recentcustoms filing receiptAndand an AEO certification certificate, and conduct a dual verification through the "Enterprise Qualification Inquiry" system on the official website of the General Administration of Customs. For specially supervised goods (such as dangerous goods, cold chain food), it is also necessary to confirm whether the agency certificate includes a special qualification filing.