Agency export,How exactly does the company charge fees?

According to the latest 2025 industry data, agency export service fees typically includeBasic service fees + floating commissionstwo parts. The basic service fee covers fixed costs such as document processing,customs clearanceinspection declaration, etc., with an average rate of 0.8%-1.2% of the cargo value. The floating commission is adjusted according to trade complexity, for example:

• Ordinary commodity export: 1.5%-3%
• Special regulated commodities: 3%-5%
• Processing trade agency: Additional 0.5% manual management fee

Special attention is neededHidden charges, including but not limited to: foreign exchange verification fees (USD 80-150 per transaction), abnormal customs declaration handling fees (starting from 500 yuan/time), overdue storage fees, etc. It is recommended to request the agency to provide the 2025 standard fee list.

How to verify the authenticity of an export agency companys qualifications?

According to the Foreign Trade Agency Enterprise Management Measures revised by the General Administration of Customs in 2024, compliant agency companies must possess:

• Customs AEO certification (at least general certification level)
• Foreign Exchange Administration Bureau registeredForeign Trade Enterprise Directory for Foreign Exchange Receipts and Payments
• Actual office premises (virtual registered addresses carry legal risks)

Proposal to passThree-step verification method:

1. Check the AEO status by logging into the "China Customs Enterprise Import and Export Credit Information Publicity Platform".
2. Request to review foreign exchange settlement and payment records for the past 6 months (with sensitive information removed)
3. Conduct on-site inspection of their customs declaration operation team size (recommended no fewer than 5 licensed customs brokers)

How to ensure fund safety under the export agency model?

The latest 2025 risk cases show that fund risks mainly exist in:

• Foreign exchange retention: Some agency companies misappropriate foreign exchange for over 90 days
• Tax refund pledge: Using clients tax refunds as collateral for other business operations

Recommended adoptionSeparation of powers account management:

• Foreign exchange collection account: Supervised account opened in clients name
• Tax refund account: Special account of the agency company (must agree to transfer within 3 working days)
• Security deposit account: Stores 10% of cargo value as risk deposit

What are the tax differences between agency export and self-operated export?

Calculated based on current 2025 policies, assuming a company exports USD 1 million worth of mechanical and electrical products:

• Self-operated export: Eligible for 13% VAT full refund, approximately refund amount of 845,000 yuan
• Agency export: The principal can only obtainInput tax deduction, actual tax difference about 4.7%

But agency model can save:

• Export credit insurance premium (about 0.3%)
• Document processing cost (about 20 yuan/order)
• Foreign trade talent cost (average 150,000 yuan/person annually)

Which situations are most suitable for choosing agency export?

Based on our experience serving 200+ enterprises, the following three types of enterprises benefit most significantly:

• New foreign trade enterprises: Annual export volume below 5 million yuan
• Multi-category trial orders: Goods involving more than 3 HS codes
• Special Trade Models: Such as market procurement trade (1039 model)

Typical case: A Jiangsu enterprise expanded into ASEAN market through agency export in 2023, reducing operating costs by 37% in the first year and shortening customs clearance time by 12 working days.

How to avoid legal risks in export agency?

Must pay attention to Article 926 of the newly revised Civil Code in 2025 regarding agency contracts:

• Clearly specifyPayment return time limit(Recommended not to exceed 5 working days after receipt of payment)
• AgreedGuarantee of intellectual property rights
• Membership inJoint liability clause for document authenticity

It is recommended to have professional trade lawyers review agency agreements, paying special attention toDispute resolution clausethe jurisdictional agreement.