1. Freight forwarding and importExport agentWhat's the difference, really?

In the practice of international trade in 2025, freight forwarders and import...Export agent(Import/Export Agent) There is a fundamental difference:

• Differences in legal status: Import and export agents must hold the "Foreign Trade Operator Registration Form" issued by the Ministry of Commerce and possess independent...customs clearanceRights
• Comparison of Service Scope:
  • Core businesses of freight forwarding: international transportation, booking, warehousing, insurance
  • Core functions of import and export agency: preparation of customs clearance documents, foreign exchange verification, and tax refund declaration.
• Method of assuming liability: Import and export agents bear joint liability for trade compliance, while freight forwarders are generally only responsible for the transportation segment.

2. What agency services can freight forwarding companies provide in 2025?

According to the latest "International Freight Forwarding Management Regulations (2025 Revised Edition)", compliant freight forwarding enterprises may expand the following agency services:

• Customs declaration and inspection agency (must obtain AEO certification from customs)
• Handling of Certificate of Origin (Limited to enterprises registered with CCPIT)
• Cross-border payment and settlement (requires holding a cross-border payment license)
• Special industry access permit applications (e.g., medical devices, chemicals)

III. How to Determine Whether a Freight Forwarder Has Genuine Agency Qualifications?

It is recommended to verify through the following methods:

• Inspect the enterpriseThree-in-One Certificate InformationBusiness scope in China
• Check the General Administration of Customs website for verification.Registration Certificate of Customs Declaration Entity
• Demand to showCertificate of Foreign Exchange Administration
• Confirm whether it has the target market.Customs clearance agent registration(such as U.S. CBP filing)

IV. Risk Advisory for Selecting Freight Forwarding Agency Services

According to 2025 international trade dispute case analysis, special attention should be paid to:

• Risk of trade entity confusion: Some freight forwarders adopt the "name borrowing agent" model, which may lead to customs misidentifying the trade entity.
• Tax refund risk: Unprofessional proxy operations may result in flawed tax refund documents.
• Risk of compliance: The Global Minimum Tax Agreement, to be implemented in 2025, requires stricter management of tax documentation.

V. Recommendations for Selecting Professional Service Providers in 2025

In line with the digitalization trend in international trade, it is recommended to prioritize:

• PossessesSmart Customs SystemService Scope: It should include
• Can you provideEnd-to-end visual trackingEnterprises that
• CompletedBlockchain customs declaration system integrationSupplier
• is established in the target marketLocalization Compliance TeamService Scope: It should include

VI. Authoritative Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can freight forwarders and import/export agents be used simultaneously?
Yes, but attention should be paid to the division of service scope. For example: the freight forwarder is responsible for transportation, while the agent handles foreign exchange and tax refund.

Q: Are the freight forwarding agency fees more favorable?
Data from 2025 shows that integrated service providers typically offer 12-18% lower prices than fragmented services, but hidden fees should be watched out for.

Q:Cross-border e-commerceIs it suitable to use freight forwarding agency services?
It is recommended to choose those with9810/9 Supervision Code 710Professional cross-border service provider with strong service capabilities.