29. I. What is an import/export agency company? How does it differ from self-operated import/export?

An import and export agency company is a professional service institution holding AEO certification from customs and import-export qualifications. Its core functions includerepresenting clients to complete cross-border trade operations throughout the entire process. The main differences from self-operated import/export are reflected in:

• Legal entity: The agency company acts as the declarant and assumes customs responsibilities
• Fund flow: Payments are settled through the agency companys account
• Qualification requirements:
  • The agency company must have comprehensive capabilities for all product categoriescustoms clearanceQualified
  • Special commodities require specific operation licenses (e.g., medical devices, hazardous chemicals)

30. II. What specific services can agency companies provide?

The service matrix of a high-quality agency company should include:

• Customs management:
  • HS code classification accuracy rate ≥98%
  • Declaration under the new cross-border e-commerce 9810 supervision model added in 2025
• Logistics optimization: Integrating sea/air/China-Europe railway resources to reduce transportation costs by 15-30%
• Tax processing: Average VAT credit refund cycle shortened to 20 working days
• Risk management: Application of RCEP rules of origin and anti-dumping early warning

III. How to judge whether an agency company is professional and reliable?

It is recommended to evaluate through three dimensions:

• Qualification Verification:
  • Verify the authenticity of customs filing numbers
  • Confirm Class B or above enterprise rating from the State Administration of Foreign Exchange
• Industry case: Requires provision of operation records for similar products in the past 2 years
• Risk control system: Whether equipped with trade compliance review systems (e.g., U.S. ECCN export control screening)

IV. How is the agency service fee calculated? Are there any hidden costs?

2025 industry fee standards show new characteristics:

• Basic service fee: 0.8%-1.5% of goods value (affected by product risk level)
• Special Attention:
  • Cross-border data compliance services billed separately (GDPR/CCPA compliance review)
  • Exchange rate lock periods exceeding 30 days require deposit payment

V. What new policies in 2025 will affect import and export agency services?

Key recommendations to focus on:

• Customs General Administration Order No. 178: Documentation electronization rate requirement increased to 95%
• New SAFE policy: Agency foreign exchange receipts/payments require blockchain platform filing
• New environmental regulations: Carbon footprint reporting obligations under EU CBAM mechanism

VI. Which types of enterprises most need agency services?

Three types of enterprises are recommended to prioritize:

• SMEs with monthly export volume <$500,000
• Enterprises entering ASEAN/African markets for the first time
• Those handling specially regulated goods (e.g., lithium batteries, biological preparations)

VII. What common misconceptions should be avoided in cooperation?

Based on 2025 industry dispute case analysis:

• Misconception 1: The lower the agency fee, the better (may involve export risk)
• Misconception 2: Large agency companies are necessarily reliable (specific business teams need verification)
• Misconception 3: Electronic contracts can replace paper agreements (legal requirements must be complete)

It is recommended that enterprises require agency companies to provideCustoms credit rating certificateandForeign exchange compliance recordsandSpecific industry operation qualifications, and test service capabilities through pilot small-batch shipments to ensure stability and compliance in cross-border trade.