With manufacturing upgrading and the Made in China 2025 strategy advancing, Chinas demand for high-end manufacturing equipment continues to grow. 2022 data shows machinery equipment import value reached $I. 2 trillion, an 8.5% year-on-year increase. However, machine imports involve multiple professional fields, including:

The export agency protocol number is registered with customs17-digit codeIt is composed of "Customs code of the agent enterprise (10 digits) + year (4 digits) + serial number (3 digits)". For example: 312296XXXX2025001, where 2025 represents the year of agreement filing. This number is explicitly designated in the 2025 revised edition of the "Customs Import and Export Goods Declaration Management Measures" asExport tax refundmandatory credential.

Why is a protocol number mandatory?

• customs clearancemandatory: Customs requires mandatory completion during agency customs declaration
• tax refund basis: Legal credential for tax authorities to verify agency relationships
• Risk isolation: Clarifies responsibility boundaries between agent and principal
• Compliance audit: Meets cross-border capital flow supervision requirements

How to obtain a valid protocol number?

Must completeInternational Trade Single Windowregistration filing (new mobile filing channel added in 2025):

• Step 1: Agency enterprise submits business registration information
• Step 2: Upload scanned copy of agency protocol signed and stamped by both parties
• Step 3: Customs automatically generates number after approval
• Processing time: Electronic filing completed within 3 working days

Has the protocol number format changed?

The 2025 new regulations mainly strengthenanti-counterfeiting verification functions:

• Added QR code verification function (embedded with enterprise social credit code)
• Serial numbers changed from annual accumulation to independent generation per transaction
• Handwritten modifications prohibited, electronic filing information synchronized with tax system

What risks may arise from incorrect numbering?

• Customs clearance risks: The customs inspection system has implemented automatic verification in 2025
• Tax refund delays: Document discrepancies will trigger manual review procedures
• Legal disputes: Invalid numbers may lead to failure in agency relationship verification
• Credit score deductions: Accumulating 3 errors will affect the companys customs rating

How to handle numbering for protocol modifications?

According to the requirements of Customs Announcement No. 38 of 2025:

• Goods not exported: Cancel the original number and re-register
• Partially exported: Retain the original number and add supplementary agreements
• Key clause changes (e.g. amount exceeding 10%): Must issue new numbers

How to verify the authenticity of a number?

Recommended useCustoms General Administration official verification system:

• Enter 17-digit number + agency unified credit code
• Can query registration time, validity period, and associated enterprises
• New SMS verification channel added in 2025 (send number to 12360)

Do historical protocols require supplementary numbering?

Transitional arrangements for 2025 new regulations implementation:

• Agreements signed before 2023: No need for retroactive processing, but it is required to note "No Agreement Number" during customs declaration.
• Agreements signed in 2024: Must complete supplementary registration by June 30, 2025
• Agreements newly signed in 2025: Must strictly follow new regulations

Common error examples

• Error 1: Using self-created unregistered numbers (e.g. using contract numbers as substitutes)
• Error 2: Using old numbers across years (2025 agreements must contain 2025 year segment)
• Error 3: Reusing the same number for different clients
• Error 4: Failing to cancel numbers for terminated agreements promptly

Professional advice: How to manage protocol numbers?

Proposal to establishTrinity management system:

• Electronic record system: Track number usage status
• Physical archive management: Keep original agreements for at least 5 years
• Dynamic monitoring mechanism: Monthly verification of customs registration data