36. I. How to judge the importExport agentIs the company legitimate?

When selecting an agency, it is essential to verify three major qualifications:Customs AEO certificationandInternational freight forwarding filingandRegister of Foreign Exchange Administration. The newly added Cross-border Trade Data Security (CTDS) certification in 2025 has become a crucial evaluation metric. It is recommended to request a review of:

• The business license includes "import and export of goods" in its scope of operations.
• Membership of China Customs Brokers Association/International Freight Forwarders Association
• Certificate of No Major Customs Violations in the Past Three Years

What Costs Can Agents Help Enterprises Save?Export agentWhat are the tricks behind the pricing standards?

2025 mainstream fee models include:

• The basic service package (customs declaration + documentation) is charged at 0.6%-1.2% of the cargo value.
• Full-chain services (including logistics and tax refund) adopt a tiered fee structure.
  • For goods valued below 500,000: 1.8%-2.5%
  • Order value of 500,000-2 million: 1.5%-2%

Special attentionHidden fee items: Demurrage cost allocation ratio, foreign exchange hedging fee, expedited processing fee for special documents.

III. What core services should an import-export agent provide?

Qualified agents must possess six core competencies:

• HS Code Intelligent Classification System (2025 Edition)
• Intelligent Application for RCEP/FTA Certificate of Origin
• Cross-border Tax Compliance Management (including EU CBAM Reporting)
• End-to-End Visual Tracking System
• Trade financing channel docking
• Customs Risk Early Warning System

IV. How Should Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises Choose the Type of Agency Services?

According to the data from the General Administration of Customs in 2025, 63% of foreign trade disputes stem from service model mismatches. The recommended matching principles are as follows:

• Monthly export amount < USD 200,000: SelectComprehensive service package
• Main business: specially supervised goods, which must be equipped withProfessional Category Team
• Involving multinational transit trade: requires provision ofMulti-hub Port Collaborative Services

V. How to Prevent the Risk of Agency Companies Running Away?

It is recommended to implement a triple protection system in 2025:

• Check the enterprise credit insurance policy records
• Request to provide a bank performance guarantee.
• Verify the authenticity of the agency qualification through the Customs "Single Window".

Please note: The agency is required to useElectronic Customs Duty and Tax Guarantee System, to avoid the risk of a capital pool.

VI. What Agency Traps Should Be Avoided in Emerging Market Trade?

For emerging markets such as Africa and Latin America, special attention should be paid to:

• Verification of the authenticity of local customs clearance qualifications (such as Nigeria's SONCAP certification)
• Pre-disclosure Mechanism for Hidden Charges at Destination Port
• Special document authentication capability (such as Egyptian consular authentication)

Request for Agent ProvisionCustoms confiscation insurance in the destination countryAs credit enhancement measures.

How to evaluate an agency companys emergency response capability?

It can be tested through three scenarios:

• Simulate the customs classification dispute resolution process
• Emergency Response Plan for Sudden Trade Restrictions
• Alternative Solutions for Cross-Border Payment Obstacles

High-quality agents in 2025 should possess:72-hour emergency responseandAlternative Logistics Channel Contingency Plan.

(This article is based on the author's experience in Fortune 500 companies and AEO certification consulting for customs, with all data sourced from the General Administration of Customs' publicly available report for the first quarter of 2025.)