What is the basic process of agency export?

According to the latest regulations of the General Administration of Customs in 2025, the standard agency export process includes the following steps:

• Contract signing stage:Signing a tripartite agreement (manufacturer - trading company - foreign buyer)
• Document preparation:
  • Confirmation of commodity HS Code (special attention required for 2025 HS Code updates)
  • Preparation of proforma invoice/PI
• Logistics operations:Booking → Packing → Customs declaration → Shipping (requires providing packing list, customs declaration authorization)
• Settlement and tax refund:Foreign exchange verification → Issuance of VAT special invoice → Tax refund application (2025 tax refund review cycle shortened to 45 days)

Where are the main risk points in agency export?

From big data analysis of 2024 foreign trade dispute cases, main risks are concentrated in:

• Payment collection risks:Recommended advance payment no less than 30%
• Document consistency risks:2025 customs inspection rate increased to 8.7%
• Tax compliance risks:Special attention required for authenticity review of purchase invoices
• Agency qualification risks:Need to verify companys AEO certification status

How are agency export fees calculated?

2025 standard agency service fee structure:

• Basic service fee:0.8%-1.5% of goods value (including customs clearance, documentation, and tax refund services)
• Capital cost:Monthly interest rate for capital advance 1.2%-1.8%
• Additional costs :
  • Special documentation fees (such as FORM E certificate of origin)
  • Express handling fee (customs clearance within 48 hours)

Which goods are not suitable for agency export?

According to the implementation rules of the 2025 Export Control Law, the following situations recommend self-operated exports:

• Goods involving dual-use items control (refer to latest ECCN codes)
• Enterprises with annual export volume exceeding $5 million
• Strategic commodities requiring independent brand building

How to verify the reliability of an agency company?

It is recommended to adopt the "3+2" verification method:

• Three mandatory checks:
  • Customs AEO certification status (verifiable on the official website of China Customs)
  • Foreign exchange administration classification level (Class A preferred)
  • Tax refund records for the past three years (requires submission of tax payment certificates)
• Two practical tests:
  • Simulated customs declaration response speed test
  • Letter of credit clause interpretation capability verification

What to do when foreign customers directly contact the factory?

Recommended response strategies:

• Require signing ofExclusive agency agreement(Recommended duration: 2-3 years)
• EstablishedHierarchical information management system:
  • Core technical personnel not involved in customer communication
  • Quotations to adopt dynamic watermark technology
• Regular provision ofValue-added service reports(Market analysis + competitor data)

(Note: Policy data mentioned in this article are sourced from the latest official documents of 2025. For practical operations, please refer to professional guidance.)