Can Agency Export Really Help Enterprises Save Costs? These 8 Questions Explain the Key Features

1. What is the Core Value of Agency Export?

The essence of agency export isa business model ofservice outsourcing and risk transfer.

• According to 2023 data from the General Administration of Customs, 78% of first-time export enterprises nationwide choose the agency model, mainly based on the following features:Qualification sharingimport and export: Utilizing the agent's
• Risk isolationauthority to complete customs declaration and tax rebates
• Resource integration: The agent assumes responsibilities such as foreign exchange verification and document compliance

: Integrated full-chain services including logistics, customs clearance, and finance

2. What Hidden Costs Can Agency Export Save?

• Comparison data from an electromechanical enterprise in 2024 shows that after adopting agency export, comprehensive costs decreased by 23%, mainly saving in:
  • Human resources:foreign tradeNo need to establish a professional
  • team (annual savings of 450,000 yuan)
• Capital cost:
  • Avoiding port detention fees caused by document errors (single maximum savings of 80,000 yuan)
  • Tax rebate cycle shortened to 45 days (average 90 days in self-operation mode)

Cost of forward exchange tools reduced by 60%

3. How to Identify High-quality Agency Service Providers?

• It is recommended to evaluate agency company qualifications from three dimensions:Compliance foundation
• Service capabilities: Check customs AEO certification, foreign exchange management classification level
• : Document review process, historical data of error rates: Customs clearance efficiency, experience in handling special items (such as hazardous goods, food)

: Whether there is a complete trade compliance review mechanism and performance insurance

The newly implemented "Cross-Border Trade Service Management Measures" in 2025 particularly emphasizes the need to prevent:

• Disputes over cargo ownership (recommend signing tripartite agreements to clarify rights and responsibilities)
• Joint tax liabilities (verify the tax credit rating of the agent)
• Data leakage risks (require signing confidentiality agreements and stipulate liability for breach)

5. Which types of enterprises are more suitable for export agency services?

Recommendations based on industry characteristics:

• Startups: Annual export volume below RMB 5 million
• Special industries:Medical Equipment,Cosmetics & Personal Careand other heavily regulated fields
• Multi-category enterprises: Mixed shipments involving over 20 HS codes

6. How to calculate reasonable agency fees?

Settlement by ticket: 200 - 800 yuan per order (suitable for scattered order customers)

• Fee based on cargo value: 0.8%-1.5% (including basic services)
• Per-document fee: RMB 800-2000 per customs declaration
• Value - added Services: Testing and certification agency (market price RMB 3000-8000)

Professional agencies can effectively prevent and control three core risks:Hidden costs: Such as amendment fees, manifest change fees, return shipment handling fees, etc.

7. Does export agency affect enterprise credit accumulation?

According to current policies, there are dual effects:

• Negative factors: Customs statistical data belongs to the agent
• Positive factors: Can leverage the agent's AEO certification to enjoy customs clearance facilitation

Recommend using for important customer ordersdual-header customs declaration(Agent company + actual shipper).

8. How is digital transformation changing agency services?

Two major industry trends emerging in 2025:

• End-to-end visualization85% of leading agencies achieve real-time logistics node tracking
• Intelligent risk controlAI system automatically identifies document risks, reducing error rate by 72% in pilot enterprises

When selecting an agent, focus on evaluating its digital system's integration capability with client platforms.