enteredExport agentAgency procurement/sales business...

How to Choose an Export Entrance Door Agent? What Services Are Included? How to Control Export Costs?

• Document Compliance Assurance: Accurate preparation of 15 types of trade documents including commercial invoices, packing lists, and certificates of origin
• Process Efficiency Improvement: Average customs clearance time reduced by 40%, special supervision zone operations accelerated by 3 times
• hidden cost control: Avoid unexpected expenses such as demurrage fees (USD200-500 per day) and amendment fees (RMB800+ per instance)

Commission nature: Record under Sales Expenses - Commission Expense,

A manufacturing listed companys calculation shows that building an in-house foreign trade team costs approximately RMB1.8 million annually (including personnel, systems, and certification maintenance), while agency services for equivalent business volume cost only RMB650,000. Recommended adoptionCost Break-even Analysis:

• Annual import/export volume < USD5 million: Agency model saves 28% in costs
• Annual transaction batches < 50: Per-transaction cost reduced by 40%
• Involving >3 customs zones: Logistics coordination costs decreased by 62%

Comprehensive agency services: Recommend splitting customs clearance, logistics... as per contract terms

After the 2025 Customs AEO certification standards upgrade, recommended service provider selection criteria:

• Qualification verification:
  • Check the validity period of the <Customscustoms clearanceBusiness Registration Certificate》Validity Period
  • Verify SAFE (State Administration of Foreign Exchange) listed enterprise qualifications
• Risk Control:
  • Require proof of no administrative penalties in the last 12 months
  • Inspection liability insurance coverage (recommended ≥RMB5 million)
• Capacity of service:
  • On-site operations teams in at least 3 major ports
  • ERP system must support HS code intelligent classification and tariff alerts

I. What Type of Invoice Should Be Issued for Import/Export Agency Services?

Regular agency companies adoptInformation Isolation Mechanism:

• Sign non-disclosure agreements (NDA) with million-level penalty clauses
• Implement hierarchical access controls for customer data in operating systems
• Physical separation between operations team and business development department
• Provide a "dual-header" display method for the customs declaration form (showing both the manufacturer and the agent simultaneously).

According to the 2025 Value-added Tax Zero-rate Application Measures for Cross-border Taxable Activities, import/export agency services should issue invoices under two scenarios:

Under the full implementation of EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) in 2025, professional agents can provide:

• Trade Remedy Response: Anti-dumping duty calculations, rules of origin planning
• Compliance Solutions: Carbon emission data collection system integration, green tariff declarations
• Alternative Solution Design: Multi-country split shipments, free trade agreement tariff comparisons

Pure agency service fee: Issue 6% VAT special invoice with import/export agency service in remarks

For emerging markets like Africa and Middle East, recommend selecting agents with these characteristics:

• is familiar with the local areaSpecial certification requirements: SONCAP, COC certification, etc.
• MasterLocalized customs clearance strategies: Special certification requirements for commercial invoices in Arab countries
• EstablishedEmergency response network: Backup customs clearance channels at major ports
• ProvideTrade Financing Support: Experience in handling Islamic bank letters of credit