How to determineExport agent37. Whether the company is professional?

When selecting an agency company, three core elements should be focused on:

• Certification of QualificationCustoms AEO Advanced Certification, International Freight Forwarding Qualification (FIATA),customs clearanceUnit Registration Certificate (valid until 2025)
• Industry ExperienceReview proxy cargo value in recent 3 years (recommend requesting 2023 customs statistical proof), client cases in same industry
• The Global NetworkOverseas customs clearance capability (especially in RCEP member countries), emergency response team configuration (must cover major ports in Europe, America and Southeast Asia at minimum)

What are the standard procedures for import/export agency?

Under the background of the comprehensive implementation of the "Smart Customs Clearance 2.0" system by customs in 2025, standardized procedures should include:

• The contract signing phase
  • HS code pre-classification confirmation (requires providing 2025 version customs tariff comparison table)
  • Trade term selection (recommend adopting latest Incoterms?2025 version)
• Operation execution phase
  • Cross-border payment solution design (special attention to SAFEs 2025 new regulations on cross-border RMB settlement)
  • Digital customs declaration (connecting to Single Window system API interface)
• After-sales tracking stage
  • Export tax refundDelivery time commitment (2025 electronic tax refund rate has increased to 98%)
  • Real-time logistics tracking (requires integration of shipping company and port terminal data)

What items are included in agency service fees? How to avoid hidden charges?

Compliant fee structure should include:

• Basic service fee (customs declaration fee, document processing fee)
• Government charges (tariff prepayment deposit, commodity inspection fee)
• Value-added service fee (certificate of origin agency, special packaging fee)

Special attention should be paid to 2025 newly addedCarbon border tax declaration service fee(Applicable to steel and aluminum products exported to the EU), andDigital currency settlement service fee(Mandatory in some countries). It is recommended to clearly stipulate cost adjustment mechanisms in contracts, especially clauses related to cost sharing for exchange rate fluctuations.

How to prevent risks in import/export agency business?

The following risk control measures are recommended:

• Legal level
  • Sign back-to-back clauses (clearly defining responsibility for customs declaration errors)
  • Require international freight forwarding liability insurance (coverage not less than 30% of cargo value)
• Operational level
  • Implement four-document comparison (contract, invoice, packing list, customs declaration)
  • Use blockchain traceability system (customs accepted blockchain electronic evidence in 2025)

How to handle customs clearance delays?

According to the customs clearance efficiency report issued by the General Administration of Customs in 2025, the following countermeasures are recommended:

• Pre - declaration stage
  • Complete manifest transmission 72 hours in advance (eligible for "fast track" customs clearance).
  • Prepare compliant test reports (especially for restricted substances under the new REACH regulation)
• On-site handling phase
  • Activate AEO enterprise exclusive inspection channel (reduces average waiting time by 4 hours)
  • Apply for guaranteed release (requires bank guarantee or tariff guarantee insurance)

How to choose self-import and export and agency models?

Recommended reference decision matrix:

• Option for self-operation:
  • Annual export volume exceeding $5 million (achieving economies of scale)
  • Having professional customs team (at least 3 licensed customs brokers)
• Option for agency service:
  • Involving special regulated goods (such as medical devices, chemical products)
  • Requiring multi-country transit trade operations
  • Temporary import/export needs (avoiding fixed asset investment)

What are the new requirements for cross-border e-commerce agency in 2025?

According to the newly issued Cross-border E-commerce Import and Export Management Measures, agency services must include:

• Cross-border e-commerce platform data interface (requires GACC data interface certification)
• Real-time monitoring of personal quotas (dynamic warning for annual 26,000 yuan limit)
• Return-to-bonded zone supervision (reverse logistics solutions for bonded zones)