I. Agencycustoms clearanceWhat is the difference compared to self-declaration?

According to the provisions of the Customs Law, import and export enterprises may chooseSelf-declaration of customsorCustoms declaration agencyTwo modes. The main differences are reflected in:

• Qualification Requirements：Self-declaration requires holding a Customs Registration Certificate issued by the customs authority.
• Operating costs：Agency customs declaration can save the labor cost of a full-time customs declarant (approximately 100,000-150,000 yuan per year).
• Risk Bearing: Professional agency companies can share the administrative penalty risks caused by filing errors.
• Timeliness Guarantee: According to data from the General Administration of Customs in 2025, the average customs clearance time for agency declarations was 3.2 hours faster than for self-handled declarations.

II. What is the specific business process for customs declaration agency?

The standardized process for agency customs declaration export consists of five key steps:

• Document pre-review: Verify 9 core documents including commercial invoices, packing lists, contracts, etc.
• 50. Commodity classification: Determine the commodity tariff code according to the 2025 version of the HS code (the error rate must be controlled within 0.3%).
• System Declaration: Enter 18 customs declaration elements through the Single Window for International Trade.
• : Checking seed labels, approval forms, variety rights certificates, etc.: Cooperate with customs to complete cargo inspection (the proportion of machine inspection has been increased to 92% by 2025).
• Release Tracking: Monitor the customs clearance status of goods in real time until departure.

3. How to evaluate the professional competence of a customs declaration agency?

When selecting a customs clearance service provider, it is recommended to focus on the following six key dimensions:

• Customs certification level: Priority is given to AEO Advanced Certification enterprises (only 182 nationwide by 2025)
• Industry service experience: The customs declaration success rate for specific product categories (e.g., medical devices requiring 100% accuracy)
• Technical system support: Is it equipped with digital tools such as intelligent classification systems and risk warning platforms?
• Port service network: Localized service capabilities at major import and export ports
• Emergency handling mechanisms: Response time for unexpected situations such as inspection anomalies and document supplements
• Compliance management system: Whether to establish a compliance management system that meets the ISO 37301 standard

IV. What are the new changes in customs declaration agency fees for 2025?

Influenced by the reform of customs clearance facilitation, the structure of customs declaration agency fees has shown three major trends:

• Basic service fee reduction: The basic service fee for electronic filing has been reduced by 15% (compared to 2024).
• Value-added service differentiation: Special service fees such as classification pre-ruling and AEO certification guidance have increased by 20-35%.
• Risk Guarantee Innovation：Pilot enterprises may purchase customs declaration error liability insurance as a substitute for security deposits.

V. Under what circumstances is it mandatory to use a customs declaration agency service?

According to the latest "Customs Regulations on the Declaration of Import and Export Goods," the following three types of situations are mandatory to require professional agency:

• Special Supervisory Areas: Customs transit operations within bonded zones, comprehensive bonded zones, and other such areas
• Franchised commodities: Involving controlled goods such as endangered species and dual-use items
• Insufficient credit rating: Import and export operations of enterprises with a customs credit rating of "untrustworthy"

VI. How to Prevent Common Legal Risks in Customs Brokerage?

It is recommended that enterprises establish a risk prevention and control system from four levels:

• Contract constraints: Clarify the accountability and compensation standards for declaration errors.
• Process Monitoring: Request the agent to provide duplicate verification records of the declaration data.
• Audit trail: Conduct regular spot checks on the archiving of customs declaration documents (to be retained for at least 3 years).
• Compliance training: Obtain quarterly briefings on customs regulation updates