I. Under What Circumstances Must You Entrust a Foreign Trade Agent for Export?

According to the latest 2025 Customs Law of the Peoples Republic of China, the following three situations must go through professional agents:① Commodities subject to license management(Such as medical devices, hazardous chemicals);② First-time exporting enterprises(Need to complete customs registration and electronic port certification);③ Special trade methods(Processing trade, cross-border e-commerce B2B direct export). When SMEs handle professional procedures like certificate of origin authentication,Export tax refundits recommended to prioritize agent services.

II. What are the differences between freight forwarders,customs clearancebrokers, and trading companies?

• International freight forwarding
  • Core business: Sea/air freight booking, container management, transport insurance
  • Service advantage: 95% global port coverage, 40% cost saving for LCL business
• Consider hiring
  • Core business: HS code classification, declaration element review, inspection assistance
  • Special qualification: Must hold Customs AEO certification, 2025 customs declaration error rate must be ≤0.5%
• Comprehensive trading companies
  • Core business: LC document review, foreign exchange verification,Export tax refund
  • Risk Warning: Beware of "Shell Companies" Without Paid-in Capital.

III. How to judge whether an agency company is professional and reliable?

It is recommended to screen according to the "three checks and three inquiries" principle:

• Qualification verification
  • Check International Freight Forwarder Enterprise Filing Form number
  • Verify AEO certification status (verifiable on China Customs website)
• Service inquiry
  • Request provision of customs clearance cases for similar products in recent six months
  • Inquiry about the specific application plan of RCEP rules of origin

IV. What Items Are Included in Foreign Trade Agent Service Fees?

The agency service fees in 2025 usually include:

• Basic service fee (3-8% of cargo value)
• Special surcharge:
  • Additional 3% risk management fee for anti-dumping goods
  • Dangerous goods declaration surcharge (USD120/shipment)
• Successful tax rebate reward (10-15% of rebate amount)

V. What Are the Common Misconceptions About Entrusting Agents for Export?

• Misconception 1: Low-cost agency = high cost performance

  A garment company chose a freight forwarder with 15% lower quotation, resulting in L/C expiration due to shipping delays and losses exceeding USD 120,000.

• Misconception 2: Full authorization = risk transfer

  Exporters still bear primary responsibilities for accurate commodity classification and intellectual property compliance.

VI. How to Handle Disputes with Agents?

Recommended three-step solution: ① Collect evidence chain including shipping documents and correspondence emails; ② Apply for mediation through China International Freight Forwarders Association (CIFA); ③ For significant losses (cargo value exceeding 500,000 yuan), file a lawsuit directly with maritime court. The newly implemented Rapid Handling Measures for International Freight Forwarding Disputes in 2025 stipulates that minor disputes must complete arbitration within 30 working days.