1. What are the essential qualifications required for acting as an export agent for steel products?

The latest regulations for 2025 require that agents must possess:

• Validimport and exportOperating rights (must include the license for ferrous metal products operation)
• Customs AEO certification qualification (preferably reaching the Advanced Certification level).
• Steel Quality Testing Laboratory Certification (for Special Steel Exports)
• International Trade Compliance System Certification (e.g., ISO 37001 Anti-Bribery Management System)

II. How to Determine the HS Code for Steel Products?

Steel products involve over 200 customs codes, with three key dimensions requiring special attention:

• Material classification
  • Plain carbon steel (Chapters 72.08-72.17)
  • Alloy steel (Chapters 72.18-72.29)
  • Stainless steel (Chapters 72.20-72.29)
• Processing form (plate/pipe/profile, etc.)
• Intended Use (Final Use Declaration Required)

III. Steel in 2025Export DrawbackWhat are the policy changes?

According to the latest announcement from the Ministry of Finance:

• The export tax rebate rate for ordinary carbon steel remains at 9% (consistent with 2024).
• The tax rebate rate for special steel has been increased to 13% (including steel for automobiles and ships).
• New Green Steel Product Catalog (Additional 2% tax rebate available for low-carbon standard compliance)

IV. How to Avoid Common Risks in International Transportation?

It is recommended to adopt a three-tier prevention and control system:

• Title protection
  • Adhere to the use of negotiable bills of lading.
  • Insure against all risks (including rust risk).
• Quality Dispute Handling
  • Pre-shipment SGS inspection
  • Retain third-party notarized samples.

5. How to address technical trade barriers in the target market?

Pay special attention to the three key area requirements:

• EU: EPD (Environmental Product Declaration) must be provided.
• North America: ASTM Standard Certification + Carbon Footprint Traceability System
• Southeast Asia: Halal Certification (for Construction Steel)

6. What are the main costs involved in export agency services?

The standard cost composition includes:

• Basic Service Fee: 0.8%-1.2% of the cargo value (depending on product complexity)
• VAT advance interest: Current LPR rate plus 20%
• Special Document Fee:It is recommended to verify through the following methods:200 yuan per copy, quality certificate 500 yuan per copy.

7. How to mitigate the risks of trade sanctions?

A three-tier screening mechanism must be established:

• Pre-shipment verification of end-user background
• Real-time update of sanctions list database
• Set up an automatic transaction blacklist interception system.

VIII.L/CWhat are the special precautions for the operation?

For steel-related letters of credit, special attention is required:

• Accept the Rust Clause.
• Establish a clear mechanism for handling quality disputes.
• Including third-party inspection agency inspection clauses

9. How to Choose CompliantExport RepresentationBusiness?

It is recommended to evaluate from five dimensions:

• Number of ferrous metal export cases (recommended >50 orders/year)
• Overseas customs clearance network coverage capability
• Trade Compliance Management System Maturity
• Tax refund fund turnover efficiency (average <90 days)

10. How to Effectively Protect Your Rights in Case of Quality Disputes?

A four-step response strategy is recommended:

• Immediately initiate the sealed retention sample procedure.
• Apply for third-party re-inspection within 48 hours.
• Clarify the division of responsibilities in accordance with INCOTERMS 2025.
• Resolve through mediation by an international arbitration institution (HKIAC is recommended).