Foreign tradeExport agentWhat is the difference compared to a foreign trade company?

Export agentThe essence isa service providerrather than a trading entity, with core differences reflected in:

• Legal status: The agent does not hold title to goods, acting solely as a service intermediary
• Risk assumption: Does not participate in payment settlement, avoiding trade dispute risks
• Service scope: Focuses on specialized areas such as customs clearance, logistics, and documentation

Can an export agent really help me save costs?

Professional agency services can achieve cost optimization through the following approaches:

• Logistics consolidation: Leveraging economies of scale to obtain preferential freight rates, with 2025 Southeast Asia route agency prices 12-18% lower than direct customer rates
• Customs planning: Proper utilization of free trade agreement tariff rates, with typical cases showing potential tariff cost reductions up to 7.5%
• Document error rate: Professional teams can control document rework rates below 0.3%

customs clearanceWill the agent be responsible if issues arise during the process?

Liability division depends on the service agreement, with special attention required for:

• Basic services typically include compliance review of customs declarations
• Special declarations (e.g., hazardous chemicals, medical devices) require separate agreements
• New electronic customs declaration regulations implemented from 2025 require agents to be equipped withAEOcertified systems

How to evaluate the actual service capabilities of an agency company?

Recommended assessment from five dimensions:

• Qualification system:
  • Customs AEO certification level
  • 40. Member of the International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations (FIATA)
• Information system:
  • Whether equipped with ERP customs declaration systems
  • Degree of data visualization

Export tax refundHow are agency fees charged?

Mainstream Charging Modes Include:

• By tax refund ratio: Typically 0.8%-1.2%, suitable for large tax refunds
• Fixed service fee: 500-2000 RMB per transaction, suitable for small but frequent businesses
• New digital tax refund channel added in 2025, some agents offer all-inclusive packages

Cross-border e-commerceWhat kind of export agent do you need?

Cross-border e-commerce agency services show three major trends:

• Fragmented logistics processing capability (daily sorting of 2000+ parcels)
• Multi-platform data integration (direct API connection with Amazon, TikTok Shop, etc.)
• Overseas warehouse visual management system (inventory synchronization error rate <0.5%)

How will the agent handle customs inspections if encountered?

Standards of professional agents to meet the process:

• Document review completed within 1 hour
• On-site inspection support within 4 hours
• Establishing inspection case database to prevent recurring issues (a leading agent accumulates over 2000 cases annually)

What are the new changes in foreign trade agency services in 2025?

The industry is undergoing three major transformations:

• Digital services:
  • Blockchain traceability system adoption rate exceeds 60%
  • AI document preparation accuracy reaches 98.7%
• Green trade:
  • Carbon footprint certification services become standard
  • New energy transport vehicles account for 35%