
1. What isExport agentBroker?
Export agentIntermediaries are holders ofCustoms AEO certificationandRecord of photovoltaic product category export filingProfessional institutions that provide export services for enterprises lacking independent export capabilities through "export agency" or "full-process agency" models.End-to-end foreign trade services. According to the latest 2025 data, approximately 63% of small and medium-sized manufacturing enterprises in China rely on agents to complete their first export order.
2. Agency export,What is the fundamental difference compared to self-operated exports?
- Differences in legal entities:
- Agency model: The agency company acts as the entity for export declaration.
- Self-operated export: Enterprises independently complete customs registration.
- Core Value Comparison:
- Agency services include foreign exchange verification and cancellation,Export tax refundProfessional operations such as these.
- Self-operated businesses require a full set of foreign trade teams (annual cost approximately 500,000 to 800,000 yuan).
3. Which businesses are required to use an export agent?
The following three types of enterprises are recommended to use proxy services:
- Start-up manufacturing enterprises: No import/export rights and annual export volume < RMB 5 million
- Cross-border e-commerce companies: Complex customs declaration requirements involving multiple platforms and multiple stores
- Special industry exporters: Medical devices, hazardous chemicals, and other products requiring professional qualifications.
4. How do agency intermediaries charge service fees?
The primary proxy services to be adopted in 2025 include:The Staircase Charge Model:
- Basic Service Fee: 0.8%-1.2% of the cargo value (including customs clearance and document preparation)
- Value-added service items:
- Customs clearance support at destination port: USD150-300 per shipment.
- Trade financing services: financing amount 0.3%-0.5%
5. How to assess the professionalism of an agency intermediary?
Verify the following:Four Core Qualifications:
- Customs AEO certification level (preferably Advanced Certified Enterprises)
- International freight forwarding qualification (FIATA membership is the gold standard)
- Foreign Exchange Administration Classification Level (Class A Enterprise is a mandatory requirement)
- Historical Dispute Resolution Records (available for inquiry on the General Administration of Customs website)
6. Does acting as an export agent affect a company's credit accumulation?
Since the General Administration of Customs implemented in 2023,Agent Export Credit Linkage SystemAfterward, the entrusting enterprise can share part of the customs credit rating from the agent. However, please note:
- Export data statistics still belong to the agency company.
- Brand building requiresOverseas trademark registrationAchieve
How do agency intermediaries handle sudden trade risks?
A professional agent should provideTriple Risk Protection Mechanism:
- Pre-screening Control: HS Code Pre-confirmation, Rules of Origin Verification
- Process control: The execution rate of Pre-Shipment Inspection (PSI) must reach 100%.
- Emergency plan: including but not limited to:
- Legal Remedies for Detained Goods
- Anti-dumping Investigation Response Support
8. What are the upgrades in agency services in the digital era?
By 2025, leading agency enterprises have achieved:
- Blockchain Document System (Reduces Customs Clearance Time by 30% on Average)
- AI compliance review (capable of identifying 98% of declaration errors)
- Real-time Trade Data Cockpit (Visual Tracking of Key Nodes)
9. What legal clauses require special attention when selecting an agent?
The contract must clearly specify:
- Intellectual Property Ownership Clause (Specifically for OEM Orders)
- Allocation of Liability for Force Majeure (recommended to include scenarios such as strikes at the destination port)
- Data Confidentiality Agreement (Must Comply with GDPR and China's Data Security Law)
10. When should you consider building an in-house export team?
When an enterprise meets all of the following conditions:
- Annual export volume consistently exceeds 20 million yuan.
- Possess more than 3 licensed customs declarants.
- Complete tax filing in the major exporting countries.
- It can bear an annual compliance audit cost of approximately 1.5%.