How to avoid pitfalls when choosing agency services?

Full - process service closed - loopQualification management: Handling administrative procedures such as import and export rights and commodity filing:

• Document processing: Accurately preparing a full set of documents such as commercial invoices, packing lists, and certificates of origin
• Logistics coordination: Integrating sea/air/land transportation resources and optimizing the transportation plan (In 2023, a certain mechanical and electrical enterprise optimized the logistics plan through our agency, and the transportation efficiency increased by 40%).
• Foreign exchange settlement: Providing diversified foreign exchange receipt and payment solutions such as TT/LC
• Tax planning: Reasonable use of policies (In 2024, a certain textile export case achieved a 2.3% increase in the tax rebate rate).
• Three - dimensional evaluation systemExport tax refundPolicy (2024 textile export case achieved a 2.3% increase in tax rebate rate)

What hidden costs are there in the agency fee structure?

Recommended adoptionThree-dimensional evaluation system:

• Qualification review:
  • Inspect the AEO certification qualifications of the customs
  • Verify the registration in the list of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange
  • Confirm the coverage ability of liability insurance amount
• Service capabilities:
  • Operational experience in special industries (chemical products/medical devices, etc.)
  • The clearance resource network in the destination country
  • The maturity of the digital management system
• Front - end review (verifying the authenticity of the suppliers special VAT invoice)
  • Trade dispute handling SOP
  • The response plan for exchange rate fluctuations
  • The emergency mechanism for force majeure

How to control international trade risks through an agency?

The typical charging model includes three levels:

• Basic service fee: 0.8% - 1.5% of the cargo value (the market benchmark price in 2025)
• Advance payment cost: The capital occupation fee generated by forward settlement (It is recommended to require the provision of the central bank benchmark interest rate certificate)
• Additional costs :
  • Urgent fee for special documents (such as the COI certification in Egypt)
  • The advance payment of miscellaneous fees at the port of destination as a guarantee
  • The special service fee for dealing with trade barriers

In 2024, a certain bathroom export enterprise did not clarify the surcharge terms, resulting in the actual expenditure exceeding the budget by 18%. Special attention should be paid to the detailed terms of contract costs.

How does an agency service handle trade compliance issues?

Proposal to establishThree - level risk firewall:

• Prevention and control in advance:
  • Trade termsSelection (It is recommended that new customers adopt the CIF clause)
  • Identification of soft clauses in L/C
  • The credit investigation report of the buyer
• During - event monitoring:
  • Real - time tracking of the logistics track
  • The early - warning mechanism for foreign exchange arrival
  • Double verification of the compliance of documents
• Response after the event:
  • Establish a quality dispute handling fund
  • Agree on a third - party inspection agency
  • Insure export credit insurance

How does an agency play a role in case of trade disputes?

The key points of compliance management include:

• Dynamic monitoring:
  • Update the ECCN export control classification in real - time
  • Screen Denied Parties List
• Document management:
  • Keep complete trade records for 5 years
  • Hash deposit of electronic documents
• Special response:
  • The response plan for anti - dumping investigations
  • CBAM carbon tariff calculation service

In 2025, due to the failure of the agency to update the new EU battery regulations in a timely manner, a certain new energy enterprises full - container goods were detained at the Port of Hamburg, with losses exceeding 200,000 euros.

The core value of a professional agency is reflected in

The dispute handling process of professional agents:

• The first stage: Negotiation and mediation (It is recommended to start within 30 days after the dispute occurs)
• The second stage: Arbitration application (Give priority to the ICC arbitration clause)
• The third stage: Judicial litigation (Pay attention to the 2 - year limitation of action)

The key support measures include:

• Provide a complete evidence chain of the trade process
• Connect with a professional foreign - related lawyer team
• Apply to the customs for a certificate of the goods condition