1. What core services can an export agency company provide?

The service structure of a professional export agency company is typically divided into three levels:

• Basic Service Modules
  • Document preparation (commercial invoice, packing list, certificate of origin)
  • customs clearanceCustoms Declaration (Adapted to the New 2025 AEO Certification Regulations)
  • Foreign exchange receipt and settlement (including cross-border RMB settlement solution design)
• Value Added Services Modules
  • Export tax refundExpress Channel (Fastest arrival within 5 business days)
  • Customs clearance assistance at the destination port (especially specialized services for RCEP member countries)
  • Trade Financing Solution (Supply Chain-Based Order Financing)
• Risk Management Module
  • Letter of Credit Soft Clause Identification System
  • Customer Credit Investigation (Access to International Credit Database)
  • Hedging instruments for exchange rate fluctuations

II. How to reasonably calculate the agency fees for 2025?

The current market pricing system exhibits a trend of diversification:

• Basic Service Costs: Charged at 0.8%-1.5% of the cargo value (for bulk commodities, it can be as low as 0.5%).
• The ladder fee.: Export volume exceeding $5 million per year is eligible for a rate discount.
• Value Added Services: The tax refund acceleration service charges a one-time fee of 1,500-3,000 yuan.
• 49. Risk warning: Request a detailed bill and be vigilant against hidden charges in bundled fees.
  • Destination Port Additional Charges (DDP terms to be confirmed in advance)
  • Non-essential document authentication fees (such as non-mandatory embassy authentication)
  • Exchange rate difference hidden fees (compared to BOC real-time exchange rate)

3. How to Verify the Compliance Qualifications of an Agency Company?

Key verification targets for 2025: four major certification systems:

• Customs AEO certification(New edition standards add data security management requirements)
• Enterprises classified as Class A by the State Administration of Foreign Exchange
• Qualification for Access to the International Trade Single Window
• Industry Certification: Such as China Customs Brokers Association AAA-level unit

It is recommended to verify administrative penalty records through the "National Enterprise Credit Information Publicity System," with a particular focus on whether there have been any violations related to export tax fraud, false trade, or other irregularities in the past three years.

IV. How to Ensure Fund Safety Under the Agency Export Model?

It is recommended to establish a triple-layer fund protection mechanism:

• Collection route: Require that overseas payments be directly remitted into the agent company's account for verification.
• Funds supervision: Adopt the bank joint account model (independent accounting for single transactions)
• The settlement cycle：It is agreed that RMB settlement shall be completed within T+3 business days.

For 2025, it is recommended to prioritize agency companies that support blockchain-based settlement systems, enabling full traceability of fund flows.

V. What restrictions should be noted for the export of special commodities?

According to the latest 2025 "Export Control Law" implementation rules:

• Dual-use items: The agency is required to possess the capability to classify ECCN codes.
• Dangerous Chemicals: It is necessary to confirm that the agent has a professional MSDS review team.
• 28. Food category: Verify the FDA/CE registration and filing records of the agent
• Intellectual property products: Request the agent to provide customs record inquiry services.

VI. How to choose between agency export and self-operated export?

Decision-making analysis is conducted from three dimensions:

• Cost comparison: It is recommended to choose an agent if the annual export volume is less than $2 million.
• 41. Risk control ability: Enterprises lacking a document review team should prioritize using an agency.
• Business complexity: The agency has obvious advantages in the era of multinational entrepot trade.

New trends in 2025 show that the proportion of cross-border e-commerce sellers opting for agency services has increased by 37% year-on-year, primarily benefiting from the innovative overseas warehouse tax refund services provided by agency companies.

7. How to monitor business progress during the cooperation process?

It is recommended to request the agency to provide the following real-time data interfaces:

• Electronic Record Query Authorization for Customs Declaration
• Tax Refund Progress Visualization Dashboard
• Logistics Tracking System (including special monitoring such as container temperature)

By 2025, leading agency companies have achieved direct ERP system integration, enabling clients to access cost breakdowns under various trade terms such as EXW and FOB at any time.

8. How to Effectively Protect Your Rights in Case of Disputes?

It is recommended to clearly define four key clauses in the cooperation agreement:

• Criteria for Determining Liability (e.g., Allocation Ratio of Demurrage Charges Due to Documentation Errors)
• The preferred dispute resolution institution is the China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission.
• Agreed maximum liability limit (recommended to be no less than 200% of the contract amount)
• Data retention obligations (business records must be retained for at least 5 years)

9. What changes will the agency industry undergo in the next three years?

According to industry white paper forecasts:

• Digital services: By 2026, AI-powered intelligent order generation systems will be widely adopted.
• Green trade: Carbon tariff accounting will become a standard service.
• Regionalized cooperation: The establishment of local customs clearance teams in Southeast Asia has become a focal point of competition.
• Compliance requirements: The EU CBAM mechanism will compel agents to enhance their verification capabilities.