I. to enterExport agentWhat services are actually provided?

Professional import and export agency services provided by a licensed company.End-to-end trade service solutions, with core services including:

• Document preparation and review (customs clearanceSingle, certificate of origin, quality inspection certificate, etc.
• Customs declarationPayment on behalf of customs duties
  • The newly added cross-border data declaration system interface in 2025
  • Application for Tariff Preferences under Free Trade Agreement
• International logisticsLogistics coordination
  • Ocean/Air/Rail Transportation Solution Design
  • Transportation of special cargo such as hazardous materials/cold chain goods
• Foreign exchange receipts/payments and tax handling

II. Which is More Cost-Effective: Self-Operated Import and Export or Commissioned Agency?

According to the World Bank's 2025 Trade Facilitation Report, the annual import and export volumeBelow $5 millionEnterprises opting for agency services gain greater cost advantages:

• Save 20-35% of fixed cost investment (customs system, professional talents, etc.)
• Reduce the risk of document error penalties by over 40%.
• Typical case: A mechanical parts company reduced single-container transportation costs by 30% through agency services.

III. What items are included in the agency fees?

Standard agency service fee structure (taking the 2025 market price in East China as an example):

• Basic service fee: 0.8% - 1.5% of the cargo value
• Special Project Surcharge:
  • Express customs clearance: ￥800-1500 per declaration.
  • Special document certification: ￥200-500 per copy
• Minimum charge: ￥2500 per shipment (starting from)

IV. How to Identify a Legitimate Import and Export Agency Company?

The 2025 Customs AEO Certification Enterprise Inquiry System indicates that a compliant agent should possess:

• Customs AEO General Certification or above qualification
• 25. at least 3 certified customs declarers
• At least 3 years of continuous operating records.
• Professional underwriting of import and export credit insurance

V. Who Bears the Risk of the Goods?

According to the General Principles of International Trade Agency, the principle of risk allocation is as follows:

• Ownership of Goods: The consignor shall retain ownership of the goods at all times.
• Boundary of Responsibility:
  • The agent shall bear the responsibility for document compliance.
  • The client bears the risk of goods quality.
• The new regulations for 2025 require that agency contracts must clearly specify force majeure clauses.

6. What to do if encountering customs inspection?

The emergency response plan for professional agents includes:

• Pre-inspection system (48-hour advance risk warning)
• On-site emergency response team (arrival within 1 hour)
• Dispute Appeal Channel (New Online Reconsideration System Added by Customs in 2025)

VII. How to Respond to Trade Agreements Such as RCEP?

For the RCEP agreement that has been in effect for three years, high-quality agents should provide:

• Rules of Origin Intelligent Determination System
• Cumulative Rule Application Scheme
• Monitoring of Member States' Tariff Reduction Progress
• Case: A chemical enterprise saved 2.8 million yuan in annual tariffs by optimizing the origin combination through agency.

8. Is cross-border e-commerce suitable for finding an agent?

After the comprehensive tax rate adjustment for cross-border e-commerce in 2025, the advantages of agency services become prominent:

• Professional declaration under regulatory codes 9810/9710
• Cross-border fund settlement under regulatory compliance
• Return-to-Zone Solution
• A certain maternal and infant brand achieved a return rate reduction to 3% through agency.

9. How do agents handle trade disputes?

The professional dispute resolution mechanism includes:

• Three-Step Evidence Preservation Process (Electronic Data Archiving + Paper Document Filing)
• ICC Arbitration Fast Track
• Multilingual Legal Support Team

10. How is the payment cycle arranged?

Mainstream agency payment models in 2025:

• T/T Payment: Payment upon receipt of documents (within 3 working days)
• Letter of Credit: 5 working days after bank presentation
• Supply Chain Finance Solution: Payment terms can be extended up to 90 days.

XI. How to Prevent Trade Fraud?

The risk control system of an agency company should include:

• Quadruple Credit Verification
  • D-U-N-S Number verification
  • Customs import and export records verification
• Intelligent Trade Contract Review System
• Real-time exchange rate fluctuation alert

12. Is an agent necessary for exploring emerging markets?

Recommended must-have agents for emerging markets such as Africa and Southeast Asia in 2025:

• Localized customs clearance team (handling special issues such as customs clearance during religious holidays)
• Handling of non-standard payment methods (e.g., Islamic financial instruments)
• A certain agricultural machinery company achieved a breakthrough in the Nigerian market through agency representation, with an annual growth rate of 400%.