What isExport agentCertificate? Why is it considered the core document in foreign trade agency business?

Export agentThe certificate (Export Agency Certificate) is in international tradeProve genuine agency relationshipa statutory document issued by an agency company with import and export rights. According to the requirements of General Administration of Customs Announcement No. 58 of 2024, this document must includecore elements such as cargo details, information of both agency parties, and liability division clauses. Under the agency export model, this document serves as both an important basis for customs document review and a key credential for enterprises to enjoyExport tax refundCustoms declaration and clearance difficulties

What specific problems can the export agency certificate solve?

• : When a production enterprise entrusts a foreign trade company to exportProve the agency relationship between the actual cargo owner and the declaring entity
  • Avoid customs clearance delays caused by inconsistency between the operating unit and the shipping unit
  • Obstacles
• Collecting Connection: When banks verify foreign exchange sourcesWhen the bank reviews the source of foreign exchange
  • As supporting documentation for trade authenticity
  • To resolve accounting issues when overseas payments are made directly to manufacturers
• Required for tax rebate applications: Processed by tax authoritiesExport tax refundWhen
  • To verify the genuine trading relationship between manufacturers and trading companies
  • Meet the tax authorities' review requirements for "three-way matching".

Which enterprises must apply for an export agency certificate?

Based on our experience handling 300+ cases, the following three types of enterprisesMust be providedExport agency certificate:

• Manufacturers first self-operated export (requires agency during transition period)
• Trading companys mixed export business representing multiple factories
• involveCommodities under license control(e.g., medical devices, chemicals) for agency export

Five common misconceptions about export agency certificates

• Misunderstanding 1:"The agency certificate is the customs declaration form."

  In reality, the two arecomplementary:Customs declaration proves goods legality, agency certificate confirms trade relationship,

• Misunderstanding 2:"It can be processed afterward."

  2025 customs regulations require completion beforedeclaration filing

• Misunderstanding 3:"Electronic signatures are equally valid."

  Currently still requiresoriginal hardcopy documentsSealed with the agency companys official stamp and legal representatives seal

How to efficiently apply for an export agency certificate? Step-by-step guide

1. Ensure the agency agreement includesproduct description, trade terms, liability clauses
2. Prepare the manufacturersbusiness license, production licensephotocopies
3. Agency company logs into the "Single Window" to input filing information.
4. Submit on-site to the competent customsGovernment service hall
5. Receive with anti-counterfeiting QR codeElectronic version of certification documents

What to do when encountering customs questioning? Professional advice

When customs doubts the authenticity of agency relationships (occurrence probability about 12%), it is recommended to immediately provide:

• CompleteFund flow vouchers
• For goods transportationLogistics tracking proof
• Historical cooperation records between the manufacturer and agency companyIn 2024, an electromechanical export company was questioned by customs due to lack of VAT special invoice association records, and eventually completed customs clearance by supplementing

Three months of email communication recordsSample shipping vouchersandFinally completed customs clearance.What exactly is the use of export agency certification? 5 core functions companies must know