How Do Export Agency Companies Get Tax Rebates? 7 Key Questions You Must Understand

?Export Agency?How does the company operate the tax rebate process?

A standardized tax rebate process includes five core steps:Document pre-review → Customs declaration → Tax filing → Tax rebate application → Tax refund payment. A professional agency will establish a dual-review mechanism. After collecting the three documents—customs declaration, VAT invoice, and foreign exchange verification form—it will complete the tax rebate application through the E-port system. Starting in 2025, a new version of the?Tax Refund?management system 3.0 will be used nationwide, achieving full-process digital management.

What qualifications should you look for when choosing an agency company?

A qualified export tax rebate agent should have:

• Class A customs brokerage enterprise qualification
• Registration with the State Administration of Foreign Exchange
• At least 3 years of practical experience
  • An annual tax rebate processing amount of over 50 million yuan
  • Case studies of serving clients in the same industry
• A complete error compensation mechanism

It is recommended to ask the agency company to provide atax rebate success rate statistics table for the last 12 months, where a normal level should be maintained above 98%.

What specific materials need to be prepared for the tax rebate?

The 2025 tax rebate material list includes:

• Basic Three Certificates: Customs declaration, input invoice,?Forex Settlement?Voucher
• Supplementary proof:
  • Transport documents (?Ocean shipping?Bill of Lading/?Air freight?Document)
  • Copy of the trade contract
  • Product classification confirmation letter (for specific goods)
• Special reminder: Since the fourth quarter of 2024, the General Administration of Customs requiresan explanation for abnormal fluctuations in the unit price of exported goodsto be included in the regular declaration materials.

How long does the tax rebate period usually take?

The normal tax rebate period is45-60 working days, which is specifically affected by three factors:

• Completeness of materials: For each day of delay in providing supplementary materials, the period is extended by 3-5 working days
• Customs audit progress: After the implementation of "intelligent document review" in 2025, the review time is compressed to within 72 hours
• Difference in tax rebate methods: Manufacturing enterprises are?Foreign trade?10-15 days faster than enterprises

Professional agency companies implementPre - declaration mechanismThe period can be shortened by 10-20 days, and some high-quality agents promise a 45-day arrival guarantee.

What are the common risks in agency tax rebates?

Special attention should be paid to the following three types of risks:

• Document Risk: In 2025, customs will intensify the "three-document comparison." A discrepancy of more than 5% between the invoice amount and the customs declaration will trigger an investigation.
• Time Sensitivity Risk: A declaration not made within 365 days of the export date is considered a waiver of the tax rebate.
• Policy Risk: For example, the EU's anti-subsidy investigation in 2024 led to a?photovoltaic?reduction in the tax rebate rate for the product from 13% to 9%.

A professional agency will establish aRisk Early - Warning System, notifying clients of policy changes 3 months in advance and providing legal remedies for disputed documents.

Which is More Cost - effective, Self - operated Tax Rebate or Agency Tax Rebate?

From a cost-benefit analysis:

• Self-operated tax rebate: Suitable for enterprises with an annual export value of over $5 million, requiring a professional team of 2-3 people.
• Agency tax rebate: Charged at 0.8%-1.2% of the tax rebate amount, which can save 60% in labor costs.

Typical case: A hardware export enterprise has an annual tax rebate of 1.2 million yuan. The self-operated cost is about 180,000 yuan/year, and the agency service fee is 96,000 yuan, a saving of 48%.

What are the important changes in the tax refund policy in 2025?

Key focus areas for this year:

• Digital Upgrade: Electronic seals completely replace paper filings
• Regulatory tightening: An export enterprise credit rating system is established, extending the tax rebate period for Class B enterprises by 15 days
• Adjustment of the tax rebate scope: Newly added?New Energy?Automotive lithium batteries enjoy a 13% tax rebate rate

It is recommended to check thepolicy briefing provided by the agency company monthlyand promptly participate in the online policy explanations on the official website of the General Administration of Customs.