How to evaluate the professional qualifications of a foreign trade agency company?

Customs inspection basis:Agency export serviceWhen selectingQualification certification systemThe primary consideration is:

• Basic qualifications: Customs AEO certification, import and export rights certificate, and registration with the State Administration of Foreign Exchange.
• Industry Certifications: ISO9001 Quality System, International Trade Compliance Certifications (e.g., C-TPAT)
• Special Qualifications: Export License for Specific Goods (e.g., FDA Certification Required for Medical Devices)

It is recommended to request the agency to provide customs credit rating records for the past three years. A certain food export company once experienced a 14-day customs clearance delay due to the agency's lack of AEO certification, resulting in a direct loss of order deposit.

Agency export,What core contents are included in the services?

Professional services should includeThe entire process solution:

• Basic services:
  • Document preparation (customs declaration, certificate of origin, etc.)
  • Foreign exchange verification and tax rebate processing
  • Logistics arrangement
• Value - added services:
  • Commercial compliance advice
  • Supply chain financial services
  • Destination country customs clearance assistance

How to evaluate the reasonableness of foreign trade agency fee structures?

It should be notedFee Transparency and Billing Logic:

• Basic service fees are generally charged by product value0.8%-1.5%
• Beware of hidden fees: document certification fees, expedited processing fees, and special case handling fees.
• A case of machinery export demonstrates that professional agents helped the company save tariff expenses by up to 7.3% through optimizing HS code declarations.

How to avoid legal risks in export agency?

Proposal to establishThree-tier risk prevention and control mechanism:

• The contract terms clearly define the division of responsibilities: ownership of goods, force majeure clauses.
• Apply for export credit insurance (the coverage ratio of Sinosure should reach over 80%).
• Regularly verify the compliance of foreign exchange operations by agency companies.

How does enterprise size influence the selection of agency services?

The selection strategies should vary for enterprises of different scales:

• Annual export volume < $5 million: It is recommended to opt for a regional agency company for faster service response.
• $5 million - $20 million: Prioritize the network advantages of national agents.
• > $20 million: Requires customized service solutions, with a focus on evaluating supply chain integration capabilities.

Is digital service capability a necessary option?

Under the international trade environment in 2025,Digital capability has become a standard requirement.:

• Mandatory features: online tracking system, electronic document transmission, data encryption technology
• Recommended features: AI-powered customs declaration, big data compliance alerts
• After implementing a blockchain traceability system, an agency company reduced its dispute resolution cycle by 62%.

How to evaluate an agency's crisis management capabilities?

Proposal to passScenario simulation testConduct verification:

• Please inquire about major trade dispute cases handled in the past three years.
• Request for the provision of an emergency plan for customs inspection.
• Verify the configuration of the international legal team.

What are the key considerations when signing a contract?

Must be clearly defined7 contract clauses:

• Scope of Services and Responsibility Boundaries
• The clause on the ownership of intellectual property rights
• Data confidentiality agreement
• Fee adjustment mechanism
• Definition of Force Majeure
• Dispute Resolution Method (International Arbitration is recommended)
• Contract Termination Conditions

How to deal with the risks of changes in international trade policies?

An excellent agency should possess:Policy Early Warning Mechanism:

• Provide a monthly report on policy dynamics in key export markets.
• Establish a tariff rate change early warning system
• We have a team of experts in free trade agreements such as RCEP and CPTPP.

How should disagreements be handled during the collaboration process?

It is recommended to divideThree-Step Solution Strategy:

• Step 1: Initiate the negotiation mechanism in accordance with the contract terms.
• Step 2: Engage a third-party professional institution for liability determination.
• Step 3: Resolve through the pre-agreed arbitration institution.