I. Why do companies not directly export and choose agency services?

According to the latest data from China Customs in 2025, 63% of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) use export agents, mainly due to the following reasons:

• Qualification thresholdsApplication for import and export rights must meet strict requirements such as registered capital and business premises
• Proof of ComplexityFrom FORM E certificate of origin to AEO certification, professional document error rate reduced80%
• Pressure of funding: Agent services can provide 30-90 day buffer (for example, a Ningbo household appliance company, the agent buffer increases its capital turnover rate40%)

Does agency export affect the company’s overseas customer relations?

Professional agency adoptionThe double lifting model.Resolving this problem:

• Customs declarations display information of producers and agencies at the same time
• The sender may negotiate to show the actual exporter.
• 2025 Newly implemented electronic customs reporting system supports tripartite encrypted information transmission

What are the hidden costs of agency services?

Payment structures that require special attention:

• Basic Service PackagesCustoms, logistics, and exchange (usually charged by value0.8%-1.5%)
• Value Added Services:
  • Export tax refundReference interest rate LPR+2%
  • Special single certification (such as Saudi SABER certification average fee ￥2800/ batch)

IV. How to evaluate the agency’s actual service capacity?

It is recommended to check three dimensions:

• Customs credit levelPriority for AEO Advanced Certified Companies
• Risk Response CaseRequires a recent 3 instance of goods lock solution
• Information system level: Check whether its customs declaration system is connected to the Customs "Single Window" 2025 version.

V. How to handle special supervised regional goods?

Taking the export of comprehensive tax zones as an example, the value of agency services is highlighted in:

• Complete the "inter-zone transfer" declaration procedures (saving an average of 12 hours in customs clearance time)
• Handle the special calculation of VAT "exemption, credit, and refund" (a precision instrument company in Suzhou reduced its tax burden by 9% as a result).
• Seamless connection between warehousing and dry line transport in the area

What are the new changes under the RCEP Agreement?

The RCEP upgrade terms of 2025 which came into force in the year brought about:

• Digitalization of the declaration of origin (requires a certified electronic signature system)
• Intelligent matching of ASEAN tax rates (professional agency system that automatically identifies the best tariff solution)
• Visualization of cross-border logistics tracking (requires the linking of customs Internet of Things platforms)

What are the responsibilities in times of trade disputes?

Particular attention should be paid to the agreed contract.Borders of Responsibility:

• Liability for the authenticity of documents (such as fines caused by errors in the name of the goods)
• Compensation for loss of goods in the transportation process (usually differentiated by shipping conditions)
• Foreign exchange settlement timing guarantee (clear clauses for default compensation are recommended)

How to choose the cross-border e-commerce model for agency services?

According to the new regulation 1210 of the General Administration of Customs in 2025:

• B2C small packages: choose agents with postal express customs clearance qualifications
• Overseas warehousing: Requesting an agent to provide a certificate of qualification for warehousing in the destination country
• Return processing: Verify the reverse logistics solution of the agent (Shenzhen3C seller thus reduces the return loss35%)

Will agent exports affect corporate credit accumulation?

New agency services have been establishedCredit transmission mechanism:

• Customs data authorization query (enterprises can access their own export statistics)
• Synchronization of bank settlement records (an important basis for applying for trade financing)
• International certification auxiliary declaration (e.g. assisting a Hangzhou clothing company3 month to obtain BSCI certification)

X. How to a smooth transition from agency exports to self-employment?

The implementation is proposed in three phases:

• Transitional period (6-12 months)Assist in establishing internal concern teams
• Parallel period (3-6 months)Part of the business has been transferred to self-employment, with reserve of emergency support
• Period of transferComplete customs credit information migration (note that AEO certification needs to be re-applicated)