I.Export agentWhat are the essential differences from self - managed export?

Export agentThe fundamental difference between the service and self - managed export lies inthe attribution of the legal entity.andRisk-bearing mechanismsAccording to the newly revised International Trade Agency Law in 2025, under the agency model:

• The agent, as the declaration entity, is responsible for the production of a full set of documents.
• The operation of receiving and paying foreign exchange is completed through the agents account.
• The AEO certification qualification of the customs is provided by the agent enterprise.
• Quality disputes are directly borne by the manufacturing enterprise.

Typical case: A Hangzhou electromechanical enterprise exports to the South American market through an agent. After the implementation of the new customs policy of Chile in 2024, the agent company promptly adjusted the HS code classification, avoiding a port detention loss of $200,000.

II. What modules does the core service of export agency include in 2025?

Modern export agency has developed intoEnd-to-end solutions, mainly including:

• Customs clearance services
  • HS code classification optimization (the EU added 38 regulated product categories in 2025)
  • intelligent application system for certificates of origin
• Tax Planning
  • Export tax refundaccelerated channel (the fastest to receive funds within 7 working days)
  • cross - border VAT registration and declaration
• management of risk
• trade country policy early warning system
• 8. Intelligent identification of soft clauses in letters of credit

III. What types of enterprises most need export agency services?

According to the data of the General Administration of Customs in 2025, the proportion of the following three types of enterprises using agents exceeds 78%:

• Newcomers to foreign trade: Small and medium - sized enterprises with an annual export volume of less than $5 million
• Special industries: Strongly regulated fields such as medical devices and hazardous chemicals
• Pioneers in emerging markets: Regions with complex customs clearance such as Africa and Central Asia

Special reminder: InvolvingProducts under ECFAFor exports to Taiwan region, the agent can assist in handling the certification of sensitive documents.

IV. How to evaluate the true capabilities of export agents?

It is recommended to establish from five dimensionsAgent service provider evaluation matrix:

• Qualification verification: Check the AEO certification level of the customs (AA+ level was added in 2025)
• Information system: Whether it has the ability to directly connect to the customs via EDI
• Case library: There should be no less than 20 service cases in the same industry
• The response speed.: 4-hour emergency response mechanism for critical situations
• Security of funds: Whether export credit insurance is purchased

V. What new changes are there in the composition of export agency fees in 2025?

Affected by the full implementation of RCEP, the agency fee structure shows three trends:

• Basic Service CostsA decrease of 5 - 8% (release of scale effect)
• Value Added ServicesThe proportion increases to 40%:
  • Usage fee of digital customs declaration system
  • Trade compliance consulting fee
• Risk hedging feeBecomes a new option:
• Exchange rate locking service
• Force majeure exemption clause

Special note: The policy basis described in this article is derived from the revised version of the Agreement on Trade Facilitation that came into effect in 2025 and Announcement No. 45 of the General Administration of Customs. For specific operations, please refer to the latest regulations. When choosing an agency service, enterprises are advised to require the provider to present the customs filing certificate and the approval document from the State Administration of Foreign Exchange for the current year.