How to Handle Entrusted Export Agency? These 10 Key Questions Must Be Understood!

I. What is entrusted export agency? What is the difference from self-operated export?

Entrusted export agency refers to a trade model where a manufacturing enterprise entrusts an agency company with?Import/export?rights to carry out customs declaration,?Forex Settlement?, and tax rebates in the name of the agent. The core difference from self-operated export is:

• Different legal entities: The "operating unit" on the customs declaration for an export agency shows the agency company
• The flow of funds varies.: Foreign exchange must flow through the agency company's account
• Different risk assumption: Compliance risk is mainly borne by the agency company

II. What basic documents are required for export agency in 2025?

According to the latest Announcement No. 58 of the General Administration of Customs, entrusted export agency must prepare:

• Original notarized "Export Agency Agreement"
• The manufacturing enterprise's VAT special invoice (fully electronized from 2025)
• The agency company's customs registration code and E-port card
• that complies with AEO certification requirementsProof of trade authenticity:
  • Product production process flow chart
  • Raw material procurement traceability record
  • Third-party inspection report (for Class II supervised goods)

III. How to calculate the export agency service fee?

The 2025 industry standard fee includes three parts:

• Basic service fee: Charged at 0.8%-1.2% of the declared amount (including document fee)
• Financing service fee: 0.3%-0.5% of the foreign exchange?Foreign exchange settlement?amount
• Risk Surcharge: A surcharge of 0.1%-0.5% is added based on the risk level of the commodity's HS code

Typical case: a certain machinery?Equipment Export?For an FOB amount of $100,000, the service fee is in the range of $1,200-$1,800.

IV. How long does the tax rebate process for export agency take?

The tax rebate period in 2025 has been shortened to:

• E-Tax Bureau pre-review: Completed within 1 working day
• Customs data matching: Completed automatically by the system (previously took 3-5 days)
• Tax refund amount credited: 7-10 working days after declaration

Special attention should be paid: From January 1, 2025, the?Tax Refund?filing period is adjusted from April 30 of the following year to March 31.

V. How to choose a reliable?Export Agency?A professional agency company should have the following characteristics:

It is recommended to focus on evaluating the following four dimensions:

• Qualification Verification:
  • Enterprises with AEO advanced certification by the customs
  • Class A enterprise in the classification of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange
• Risk control ability:
  • Whether equipped with a trade compliance review system
  • Whether an internal compliance program (ICP) for export control is established
• Service network: Whether in-house customs declaration teams are established at major ports
• Financial strength: Registered capital of no less than 5 million yuan

VI. What are the common risks in export agency? How to prevent them?

Three major risks to focus on preventing in 2025:

• Risk of trade authenticity verification:
  • It is recommended to ask the agency company to provide a blockchain traceability service
  • Keep complete production records for at least 5 years
• Risk of abnormal foreign exchange fluctuations:
  • Sign a supplementary agreement for exchange rate locking
  • Choose an agent that provides forward foreign exchange settlement services
• Risk of third-party joint liability:
  • Specify intellectual property disclaimer clauses in the agency agreement
  • Purchase export product liability insurance

VII. How to operate export agency for special trade modes?

For the common special trade scenarios in 2025:

• ?E-commerce?B2B export:
  • Requires handling 9710/9810 customs filing
  • Provide a platform transaction data chain
• Processing trade carry-over:
  • Submit a deep processing carry-over application form
  • The verification list must be linked to the upstream and downstream manuals
• Market procurement trade:
  • Limited to operation under the 1039 supervision code
  • The value of each shipment must not exceed $150,000

VIII. Can I designate a freight forwarding company for export agency?

According to the 2025 edition of the Incoterms:

• When using FOB terms,the buyer designating the freight forwarderis a standard practice
• When using CIF/EXW terms, it is recommended to choose a freight forwarder that cooperates with the agency company
• Special reminder: The designated freight forwarder must be confirmed in advance to have:
  • Non-Vessel Operating Common Carrier (NVOCC) qualification
  • (Applicable to essential oil products containing alcohol)

IX. What insurance should be purchased for entrusted export agency?

Recommended insurance combination plan:

• Basic protection:
  • Marine cargo all risks insurance
  • Export credit insurance (minimum coverage of 70%)
• Enhanced protection:
  • War risk additional insurance (when shipping through high-risk areas)
  • Exchange rate fluctuation insurance (when the payment term exceeds 90 days)

X. What clauses should be noted in the export agency contract?

Eight core clauses that must be specified:

• Dispute resolution clause (recommend specifying China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission)
• Fee settlement period (recommended not to exceed 5 working days after the tax rebate is received)
• Document handover process (specify the usage standards for the electronic receipt system)
• Penalty standard for breach of contract (it is recommended to specify a penalty of 20% of the contract amount)
• Intellectual Property Guarantee Clause
• Definition Scope of Force Majeure
• Data Privacy Protection Terms
• Contract termination conditions (it is recommended to specify automatic termination if the agency company is downgraded to a Class C enterprise)