10 Key Questions You Must Know About Steel Agency Export? Latest Answers for 2025

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).