I.Agency export,What basic procedures are required for containers?

According to the latest 2025 revised Import and Export Goods Declaration Management Measures by China Customs, the standard procedures for containerized export agency should be:Sign agency agreement → Goods preparation and inspection → Booking and container arrangement → Loading supervision →customs clearanceInspection → Ocean tracking → Destination portCustoms clearance→ Final mile deliveryForeign exchange income should be calculated based on actual received amount (deducting bank service fees)

• Newly added from 2025:Lithium batteryMandatory goods filing system
• RCEP agreement member countries require additional certificate of origin declaration for customs clearance documents
• The latest EU EPR regulations require traceability of packaging materials

How do freight forwarders charge service fees?

Professional agency companies fee structures typically includeBasic service fee + Additional fees + Third-party feesThree parts. 2025 market conditions show:

• Basic service fee: USD120-200/container (including document preparation and space coordination)
• Additional costs :
  • Amendment fee: USD50-80/instance (2025 shipping companies implemented 15% unified price increase)
  • Demurrage fee: USD80-120/day (varies significantly among shipping companies)
• Third-party fees: Customs clearance fee, terminal handling charge (THC), bunker adjustment factor (BAF), etc.

What situations may lead to containers being detained by customs?

Based on 327 export cases handled in the past three years, main risks concentrate on:

• Declared value deviation >10%(2025 customs price query rate increased to 8.7%)
• HS code classification errors (especially for medical devices and chemical products)
• Missing specific certifications (such as latest versions of US FDA or EU CE)
• The product name does not match the actual goods (a client lost $120,000 last year due to mislabeling as "accessories").

How to choose a reliable freight forwarding agency?

Proposal to passFour-Dimensional Evaluation MethodScreening:

• Qualification verification:
  • Whether holding NVOCC license (2025 new regulations require registered capital ≥5 million)
  • Registration status in international freight forwarder filing system
• Service capabilities:
  • Proportion of in-house customs clearance team (quality agents should have >60%)
  • Overseas agency network coverage in target markets
• Risk protection:
  • Whether providingComprehensive liability insurance(Recommended coverage amount ≥ 200% of cargo value)
  • Availability of alternative transportation contingency plans

How to handle customs clearance delays?

Recommended adoptionFive-step emergency response plan:

• Obtain customs inspection notice within 1 hour
• Submit compliant documents within 48 hours (Electronic system response time reduced to 4 hours in 2025)
• Activate backup fund account to pay demurrage charges
• Simultaneously notify destination port agent to adjust customs clearance plan
• Apply for customs classification advance ruling for major disputes (Successfully handled 23 classification disputes last year)

What special requirements exist for exporting special goods?

Three categories of special cargo requiring focused attention in 2025:

• Lithium battery products: UN38.3 test report + 1.2-meter drop test certification
• Materials for food contact: FDA 21 CFR or EU 1935/2004 compliance declaration
• Machinery Equipment: Equipment schematic diagram and safety protection instructions required (New requirements for European and American markets)

How to choose between LCL and FCL transportation?

Recommendations based onCargo volume + delivery time requirements + cost budgetComprehensive evaluation:

• LCL (Less than Container Load) applicable when:
  • Cargo volume < 15 cubic meters
  • Stable cooperative warehouse available at destination port
  • Additional 7-10 days operation time acceptable
• FCL (Full Container Load) advantages:
  • Shipping alliance space guarantee rate increased to 95% in 2025
  • Flexible container loading schedule
  • Lower cargo damage rate (40% lower than LCL in field tests)

What are the considerations for payment methods in export agency?

Recommended to adoptPhased payment + final payment guaranteeMode:

• 30% deposit upon contract signing
• 50% progress payment after container loading
• Final payment settled before bill of lading issuance
• Request for Agent ProvisionBank Payment Guarantee(Latest 2025 ICC version)

How to verify the authenticity of freight rates provided by forwarders?

It can be operated through theThree - Party Price Comparison MethodCross - Validation:

• Check published freight rates on shipping company websites (e.g. Maersk, MSC)
• Compare using Baltic Freight Index (FBX)
• Request freight forwarder to provideCopy of booking confirmation
• Pay special attention to surcharge details (Updated list of 20 common surcharges in 2025)

How to improve container management efficiency in the digital era?

Recommended adoptionSmart freight forwarding system + IoT monitoringCombined solution:

• Real-time tracking:
  • GPS positioning error < 50 meters
  • Temperature/humidity monitoring (Essential for pharmaceutical transportation)
• Electronic documents:
  • Full implementation of electronic bills of lading by customs in 2025
  • Blockchain verification system (Mandatory requirement by Dubai Customs)

Conclusion:Export agency container operations are both a technical task and an art of risk management. Choosing professional agents can reduce transportation costs by 23% and shorten customs clearance time by 40% (according to the 2025 International Trade White Paper data). It is recommended that enterprises regularly review the qualifications of agency service providers and establish long-term strategic partnerships.