Home » Trade Basics » How to Choose a Reliable Export Agency? A Complete Analysis of Common Export Agency Questions
Why do you need export agency services?
For enterprises lacking?Import/export?qualifications or?Foreign trade?experience, an export agent can solve three core problems:Breaking through the qualification threshold(no need to apply for a customs code on your own),Professional process托管(customs declaration and inspection/?Forex Settlement?tax rebate/document handling), andCost control optimization(avoiding the high cost of building an in-house foreign trade team). According to statistics from the General Administration of Customs for 2023, about 68% of SMEs choose the agency model for their first export.
How to evaluate the professionalism of an agency company?
It is recommended to screen from six dimensions:
- : Customs AEO certification, Class A foreign exchange management enterprises: Check for customs AEO certification, and listing on the State Administration of Foreign Exchange directory
- Industry experience: Focus on examining operational cases in the target market (e.g., familiarity with FDA certification is needed for Europe and the US)
- Service network:
- Whether offices are established at major domestic ports
- Whether there are cooperative channels for customs clearance overseas
- Risk management and control: Timeliness of handling inspection exceptions, and the dispute resolution mechanism
- Risk Response Mechanism: Whether a real-time logistics tracking system is provided
- Fee transparency: Beware of hidden charges (e.g., the cost-sharing ratio for amendment fees/detention fees)
What is the standard process for an export agency?
A typical service cycle includes seven key nodes:
- Sign a tripartite agreement (factory - agent - foreign merchant)
- The agency company prepares the proforma invoice/packing list
- Arrange for commercial inspection (for legally inspected goods)
- Port customs declaration and shipment
- Foreign exchange collection and tax declaration
- ?Tax Refund?Handling (average period of 45 days)
- Trade data archiving (the recommended retention period is no less than 5 years)
What items are included in the agency service fee?
A conventional fee structure includes three levels:
- Basic service fee: Charging 0.8%-1.5% of the cargo value (2025 market average price)
- Government fees:
- Customs declaration fee of 500-800 yuan/shipment
- Port miscellaneous fees are charged based on the container size
- Presentation of L/C documents: 800 - 1500 yuan per order
- Agency for export tax rebate: 5% - 8% of the tax rebate amount
How to prevent risks in export agency?
It is recommended to establish three firewalls:
- : Clearly agree on the payment settlement cycle (it is recommended not to exceed T + 3) and the ownership of goods control: Clearly specify the clauses on ownership of goods
- Fund Monitoring: Require the foreign merchant to pay to the agency company's supervised account
- Document management: The original bill of lading must be released with the factory's confirmation
How to choose between self - export and agency export?
Key decision factors include:
- An agency is recommended for an annual export value of less than $2 million
- A professional agent is preferred for high complexity in product certification (e.g.,Medical Devices)
- The agency's financial handling capabilities need to be evaluated for special trade terms (DP/LC)
Frequently Asked Questions about Export Agency Services
- Q: Can an export agent enjoy a tax rebate?
A: Yes, but it must be ensured that the flow of the VAT invoice is consistent with the agency agreement - Q: What if the foreign merchant contacts the factory directly?
A: A standardized agency agreement should include a customer information confidentiality clause - Q: How to control costs for small-batch trial orders?
A: Choose an agency that provides LCL services to reduce the cost per container
