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According to the 2025 revised International Freight Forwarding Management Regulations, compliant agents must hold the following qualification documents:

• Scanned copies of three certificates: Business license, Customs registration certificate, SAFE (State Administration of Foreign Exchange) filing certificate
• Industry Certification: FIATA certification, WCA global agent network membership certificate
• Practical verification: Must provide records from the past 3 monthsExport customs clearanceTracking numbers (verifiable through Single Window system)

It is recommended to conduct double verification via theagent qualification verification channelon the official website of China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT).

How can exporters precisely select designated agents? 20-year trade expert answers 8 key questions

According to 2024 General Administration of Customs statistics, 68% of trade disputes stem from cost perception differences. Special attention should be paid to:

• Basic Service Costs:
  • Document processing fees (average ￥200-500/shipment)
  • Telex release fees (approximately ￥100-300)
• Contingency fees:
  • Inspection and storage fees (￥800-1500/day)
  • Amendment fees (￥2000+ penalties for declaration errors)

Always require agents to provideExact cost checklist, specifying the government pricing standards for each fee item.

How to evaluate the actual operational efficiency of an agent?

Recommended adoption3×3 verification method:

• 3 performance indicators:
  • Booking response time (quality agents <2 hours)
  • customs clearancePre-approval rate (should exceed 95%)
  • Exception handling time (30-minute feedback mechanism)
• 3 verification methods:
  • Request to view the real-time tracking interface of the operating system
  • On-site inspection of document processing center
  • Contact their existing clients (request contact information for 3 cooperating enterprises)

How to hold designated agents accountable for operational errors?

The International Freight Forwarding Regulations implemented in 2025 clearly stipulate:

• Liability for compensation: Direct losses such as demurrage fees and penalty charges caused by agents fault
• Exemption clauses: Losses caused by errors in information provided by the principal

Must be specified in the contractError handling guarantee clause(Recommended not less than 30% of service fee).

How to ensure the agents overseasCustoms clearancecapability?

It is recommended to require agents to provide:

• Destination port agent certification documents: Including local chamber of commerce registration certificate, customs clearance qualification certificate
• Customs clearance cases: Customs clearance records for similar goods in the past 6 months (customer information must be redacted)
• Contingency plan: Rapid handling procedures when inspection rate exceeds 15%

Can log in to the target countrys customs official website to verify whether the designated agents filing information is authentic and valid.

Is it compliant for designated agents to require prepayment of freight charges?

According to the latest 2025 guidelines from International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations (FIATA):

• Standard prepayment ratio: 30%-50% (depending on enterprise credit rating)
• Risk Control: Require the agent to provide bank performance guarantee
• Guaranteed Payment: Conduct transactions through Sinosures payment guarantee service

How to monitor the service quality of designated agents?

Proposal to establishKPI assessment system:

• Timeliness indicators: Booking fulfillment rate, document accuracy rate
• Cost indicators: Proportion of unexpected costs, rate fluctuation range
• Service indicators: Complaint response speed, exception handling satisfaction rate

Require the agent to provide monthlyService quality report, and arrange quarterly review meetings.

What legal risks should be considered when changing designated agents?

According to the Supreme Peoples Courts 2024 typical case guidance:

• Contract termination: Requires 30-day prior written notice (except for force majeure)
• Business handover: Requires original agent to provide complete business archives
• Debt settlement: Clear all outstanding payments (retain payment vouchers for 6 years)

Recommended to be issued through a law firmAgent relationship termination confirmation letter.