What is the agency export right?

The agency export right refers to the authority granted by customs registration,import and exportEnterprises may accept the legal qualification to handle export business on behalf of other operating units. According to Article 34 of the latest "Customs Law" in 2025,The export agency enterprise must hold a validforeign tradeOperator Filing Registration Form, and complete dual registration (both the entrusting party and the agent) in the customs system.

Why is it necessary to entrust an agent for export?

The three core values of SMEs choosing export agency services:

• Breaking through qualification barriers：No need to handle qualifications such as foreign trade operator registration or electronic port IC card on your own.
• Compliance risk avoidance: Professional team handles customs declaration documents, commodity classification,It is recommended to verify through the following methods:Complex matters such as Ming, etc.
• Reduce Operational Costs: Shared logistics channels, foreign exchange settlement accounts,Export DrawbackInfrastructure such as passageways

What is the fundamental difference between self-operated export and agency export?

• Differences in responsible entities:
  • Self-operated export: The enterprise independently undertakes all customs declaration obligations throughout the process.
  • Agency export: The agent acts as the declarant and assumes legal responsibility.
• Fund flow path:
  • Self-operated export:A complete export agency agreement should be attached with:Direct deposit into the corporate foreign currency account
  • Agency export: Payment is settled through the intermediary account of the agency company.

How to Choose a Compliant Export Agent Service Provider?

It is recommended to evaluate the agency company from five dimensions:

• Qualification review: Verify the customs registration number and the foreign exchange administration directory registration.
• Industry experience：Prioritize service providers with over 20 operational cases in the same product category.
• : Document review process, historical data of error rates: Please provide a complete document review process and error traceability mechanism.
• Fund Safety: Confirm that the agent has opened an independently accounted export foreign exchange collection account.
• Contract terms: Pay special attention to the default clauses, liability allocation, and dispute resolution methods.

What is the specific operational process for export agency?

• Phase 1: Qualification Preparation
  • Sign a tripartite agreement (factory, agent, foreign customer)
  • Apply for pre-classification of export commodity HS codes
• Phase Two: Logistics Execution
  • The agent arranges booking, customs clearance, and shipment (saving an average of 40% in operational time).
• Phase 3: Foreign Exchange Settlement
  • The agent shall handle foreign exchange verification and cancellation based on customs declaration data (as per the new policy of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange in 2025, it must be completed within 3 working days).

What potential risks should be guarded against in export agency?

According to the 2025 foreign trade dispute big data analysis, special attention should be paid to:

• Documentary Compliance Risk: The commercial invoice, packing list, and customs declaration data must be completely consistent.
• Refund time limit risk：Select an agency company that commits to completing export tax refunds within 90 days.
• Intellectual Property Risk: Request the agent to provide brand authorization verification services.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Q: Does acting as an export agent affect a company's credit accumulation?

  A: The new 2025 Customs AEO certification regulations clarify that compliance records of export agency services can be incorporated into the principal's credit evaluation system.

• Q:Cross-border E-commerceCan we use an agent for export?

  A: According to the policies of the Cross-Border E-Commerce Comprehensive Pilot Zone, the innovative model of "list verification and release + agency tax refund" is permitted.