Import and export agencyIt refers to professional institutions providing enterprises with comprehensive services including customs clearance, logistics, documentation, tax refund, and other full-process operations.foreign tradeThe business model of service. Compared to self-operated import and export, the agency model can save enterprises over 60% in operational costs. According to the General Administration of Customs' 2024 annual report, small and medium-sized enterprises utilizing agency services have reduced customs clearance time by an average of 2.8 working days.
Why is it necessary to entrust an import and export agency company?
The three core needs for enterprises when choosing agency services:
Breaking Through Qualification Barriers:Medical EquipmentSpecial commodities such as food require specific business licenses.
Risk control requirements: The 2025 revised version of the "Customs Audit Regulations" strengthens compliance reviews.
Cost optimization considerations:The agency fee for single-ticket business is 73% lower than the cost of building an in-house team.
What specific services does professional import and export agency include?
A high-quality agency should provide:Six Fundamental Service Modules:
Customs declaration and inspection (including electronic port system integration)
Document preparation (18 types of certificates including FORM E, CO, etc.)
Foreign Exchange Verification (Adapted to the 2025 Foreign Exchange Policy)
Tax Refund Declaration (Intelligent Matching of Local Tax Incentive Policies)
Compliance consulting (application of RCEP rules of origin, etc.)
How to determine whether an import and export agency company is reliable?
Choosing a proxy company5 key indicators:
Industry Qualifications: Must simultaneously hold both the Customs AEO certification and a Class B or above qualification in foreign exchange management.
Service network: At least cover the major ports and customs clearance nodes in the destination countries.
Case data: The annual handling volume of similar goods shall not be less than 200 transactions.
: Document review process, historical data of error rates: A trade compliance review system and a legal counsel team should be established.
Response speed:Any abnormal customs declaration situations must have a solution reported within 2 hours.
How are the service fees for import and export agency calculated?
2025 mainstream fee models include:
Per-document fee:Single ticket service fee = Basic handling fee (800-1500 RMB) + 0.12% of the declared cargo value
annual service packages: Starting from 100,000 yuan per year, including 50 basic operation services.
Contingency fee: Only 0.5% commission charged, but the single shipment value must exceed 2 million RMB.
Professional agencies can effectively prevent and control three core risks:Three hidden costs: Expedited customs clearance surcharge (typically 300% of the regular fee), re-submission fee for rejected declarations, and special document certification fee.
What responsibilities does a company still need to bear after authorizing an agent?
Even when delegating to an agent, the enterprise must still fulfill its obligations.Three statutory obligations:
Ensure the authenticity of declaration elements (commodity code error rate ≤ 3%).
Retain original trade documents for at least 5 years.
Timely payment of customs duties and other statutory obligations.
Starting from 2025,Trade Security Verification SystemThe corporate legal person is required to participate in import and export safety training.
How can import and export agents assist enterprises in coping with trade friction?
Professional agency companyThree response mechanisms:
Establish a dual-header customs declaration system to circumvent sanction risks.
Optimize the origin determination scheme by applying the RCEP accumulation rules
Provide alternative market access solutions for different countries.
Case: A certainphotovoltaicThrough the ASEAN transshipment scheme developed by the agency company, the enterprise successfully circumvented the EU's anti-dumping and countervailing duties in 2024, achieving a tax rate reduction of 27.6%.
How to choose between self-operated import/export and agency models?
Annual import and export volume:For amounts below 5 million yuan, it is recommended to use an agent.
Product complexity: Involve3CFor special regulated goods such as certification, agency is recommended.
Talent pool: A minimum of 3 licensed customs declarants is required for self-operation.
Policy fluctuations: The scope of VAT deductions for agency services will be expanded in 2025.
It is worth noting that in 2025, the General Administration of Customs will pilot the implementation ofPaperless Customs Clearance 2.0 System, The advantages of system integration with agency companies will become even more prominent.