How to determineExport agentcompanys professional qualifications?

When selecting a proxy service provider, it is essential to verify three core qualifications:Customs AEO certificationandInternational freight forwarding filingandYears of industry service. It is recommended to request the following:

• Screenshot of the AEO enterprise list published by the General Administration of Customs
• "Registration Form for International Freight Forwarding Enterprises" filed with the Ministry of Commerce
• Cases of handling the same category of goods in the past three years (desensitization required)

In 2023, a cross-border e-commerce company had an entire shipment detained at the Port of Rotterdam in the Netherlands due to the lack of hazardous materials transportation qualifications by its agency, resulting in a direct loss of $370,000. This case underscores the importance of qualification verification.

enteredExport agentWhat hidden costs are included in the fees?

Standardized agency service fees should include:

• Basic service fee (customs clearance/Customs Declaration/Documentation)
• Government fees (customs duties/VAT/inspection fees)
• Logistics surcharges:
  • Peak season surcharge (e.g., Spring Festival/Christmas season)
  • Special Cargo Handling Fee (Cold Chain/Hazardous Chemicals)

Need to be alert.Temporarily added "gray fees", if storage fees arise due to sudden inspections at the destination port, the professional agent should specify the cost ceiling in the contract in advance.

What are the new risk points in international trade compliance for 2025?

According to the latest WTO trade monitoring report, special attention should be paid to:

• ESG Compliance Requirements: The EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) Will Be Fully Implemented in 2025
• Cross-border Data Flow: Multiple Countries Require Local Storage of Trade Data
• Rules of Origin: Detailed Certification Standards for RCEP Member States

In our 2023 medical device export agency cases, by completing the EU MDR regulation upgrade in advance, we helped clients avoid product recall losses amounting to 1.2 million euros.

How to avoidCustoms clearanceWhat is the risk of cargo detention in this process?

Professional agencies should be establishedThree-tier prevention and control system:

• Prevention and control in advance:
  • HS Code Triple Verification Mechanism
  • Pre-screening System for Sensitive Materials
• Response during the event:
  • 24-hour Emergency Customs Clearance Team
  • Overseas regulatory warehouse backup plan
• Post-event review:
  • Quarterly Risk Reporting System
  • Customs Policy Alert Notification

17. What special agency services are needed for emerging market development?

For emerging markets such as Southeast Asia and Africa, it is recommended to select those with:

• Local customs clearance team (with at least 3 years of local operation experience)
• Non-USD settlement channels (supporting currency swaps)
• Religious culture adaptation services (such as Ramadan logistics solutions for the Middle East market)

In the Saudi new energy project we operated in 2024, the equipment delivery cycle was reduced by 40% through the early deployment of a customs clearance buffer warehouse at Jeddah Port.

How to evaluate the after-sales service capability of an agency company?

Focus on two key dimensions:

• Dispute resolution mechanism:
  • Whether to purchase cargo insurance
  • Legal advisory team configuration
• After-sales follow-up cycle:
  • Basic service provider: Service terminates upon cargo receipt.
  • Professional Service Provider: Offers 6-month trade data retrospective

Request the Agency to provideCustomer Dispute Resolution Report for the Last 12 Months(Desensitized version), with a focus on reviewing the average resolution time and the secondary dispute rate.

What are the substantial impacts of digital transformation on import and export agency services?

Three major transformations will emerge in the industry by 2025:

• Intelligent Customs Declaration System:
  • The connection rate of China's "Single Window" for customs must reach 100%.
  • The AI classification accuracy rate should be higher than 98%.
• Blockchain Traceability:
  • Commodities must provide distributed ledgers.
  • E-certificate of origin on-chain notarization
• Digital Twin Warehouse:
  • Support 3D visual inventory management
  • Achieve intelligent scheduling of global warehousing and distribution networks