1. Free of chargeExport agentIs it really free of charge?

In international trade practice, there are indeed claims of "zero service fees."Export agent, but their profit models are typically achieved through the following three approaches:

• Value-added service charges:customs clearanceBasic services such as document preparation and origin certification are free, but fees apply for inspection, certification, logistics, and other related procedures.
• Exchange rate differential income: Profiting from the time difference in foreign exchange settlement and exchange rate fluctuations, typically 0.5-1.2 percentage points lower than the bank's spot exchange buying rate.
• Trade financing is divided into: Earn interest shares in supply chain finance business, commonly seen in transactions with payment terms exceeding 90 days.

2. What are the potential risks of free services?

The cases of violations reported by the General Administration of Customs in 2024 indicate that 17% involve non-compliant agency services, with the main risks including:

• Document compliance risks:
  • Incorrect HS code classification leading to subsequent audits
  • Counterfeit certificate of origin documents
• Financial security risks:
  • Cases of frozen overseas payment collection accounts increased by 23% annually.
  • The newly implemented "Cross-Border Payment Management Measures" in 2025 require the filing of fund custody accounts.

III. How to Determine the Authenticity of an Agent's Qualifications?

It is recommended to verify the qualifications of service providers through the "Three Checks and Two Verifications" system:

• three checks:
  • Customs AEO certification status (verifiable on the official website of China Customs)
  • Foreign Exchange Administration records
  • Qualification for Access to the International Trade Single Window
• Two inspections:
  • Please provide the tax clearance certificate for the most recent quarter.
  • Please check the original bank credit line documents.

4. Which types of companies are suitable for the freemium model?

According to the 2025 International Trade Services White Paper data, the following two types of enterprises have a higher success rate in using free proxies:

• Small-amount, high-frequency transaction enterprises：Cross-border e-commerce sellers with a single shipment value below $5,000.
• Standardized product exporters: Manufacturers of daily necessities with a single HS code and no need for special certification

However, it should be noted that among enterprises with an annual export volume exceeding $2 million, 83% still opt for paid agency services.

5. What are the alternative solutions?

It is recommended that small and medium-sized enterprises consider the following three compliance solutions:

• Segmented procurement services: Delegate customs declaration, logistics, and settlement to different specialized service providers.
• Digital trade platform: Utilize a certified B2B trade middle platform system
• Hosting by Industry Associations: Through the collective agency services provided by import and export chambers of commerce in various regions

According to the World Bank's 2025 Trade Facilitation Report, businesses adopting a hybrid service model have seen an average reduction of 27% in trade compliance costs.