I. Legal輸出代理店What basic qualifications are required?

Pursuant to the 2025 latest edition of the Foreign Trade Law and the relevant regulations of the General Administration of Customs of China, professional輸出代理店Must hold:

• Registration Form for Foreign Trade Operator(Registered with the Ministry of Commerce)
• Certificate of Registration for Customs Declaration Entity(Valid for 5 years)
• Registration in the Directory of Foreign Exchange Receipts and Payments(Registered with the State Administration of Foreign Exchange)
• Qualification for Enterprise Network Access to the Electronic Port(Issued by China E-Port Data Center)
• Tax Registration and輸出稅還付Qualification(Subject to approval by the competent tax authority)

II. How to verify the actual qualifications of an export agent?

We recommend verifying through the following three official channels:

• General Administration of Customs website: Enter the company name to query the customs registration information
• National Enterprise Credit Information Publicity System: Verify the business scope and administrative penalty records of the enterprise
• Electronic Port Law Enforcement System: Verify the status and operation permissions of the enterprise IC card

Newly launched in 2025Single Window Qualification Verification Module for International Trade, cross-departmental data linkage verification has been implemented; it is recommended to prioritize its use.

III. What specific qualification details should be given special attention when selecting an export agent?

• VerifyCustoms Management Category：
  • Give priority to AEO-certified enterprises (Authorized Economic Operator, China Customs Advanced Certification).
  • Confirmed: no Category C/D regulatory records
• CheckForeign Exchange Classification Level：
  • Category A enterprises may handle spot settlement and sale of foreign exchange.
  • Avoid selecting agents classified as Category B/C by the State Administration of Foreign Exchange.
• ConfirmSpecial Cargo Operating License：
  • Dangerous goods require the "Result Sheet of Inspection for the Use of Transport Packaging for Export Dangerous Goods".
  • Food products require an Import and Export Food Filing Certificate.

4. What impact will an expired or changed agency qualification have?

Customs to be implemented starting from 2025Dynamic Qualification Management System要件：

• The registration certificate of the customs declaration entity must be renewed 30 days before its expiration date.
• Changes to the company name, address, or legal representative must be filed within 10 working days.
• Expiration of critical qualifications will result in:
  • The customs declaration was automatically rejected by the system.
  • Suspension of foreign exchange receipts and payments
  • Export tax rebate declaration blocked

5. What additional qualifications are required for an international freight forwarder?

Agents involved in cross-border transportation should also possess:

• FIATA International Freight Forwarding Certificate (Globally Recognized)
• IATA Air Cargo Qualification (Essential for Air Freight Operations)
• Filing for Principal Liner Vessel Agency (Ocean Freight Business)
• Customs clearance qualifications in the destination country (e.g., U.S. Customs broker license)

Note: Some countries require the agent to register a local entity; it is recommended to verify based on the specific business region.

VI. How to Assess an Agent’s Capability to Maintain Qualifications?

• View EnterpriseCustoms Compliance System Certification：
  • ISO 28000 Supply Chain Security Management System
  • C-TPAT Anti-Terrorism Certification (Critical for U.S. Exports)
• Confirm itSystem integration capability：
  • Whether to connect to the new-generation customs clearance system (2025 version)
  • Is it possible to achieve real-time synchronization of customs declaration, logistics, and foreign exchange data?

7. What legal risks arise from appointing an unqualified agent?

According to the 2024 Supreme People's Court's typical cases:

• Cargo detained by customs resulting in demurrage charges claim
• Foreign-exchange violations face fines of 5–30%.
• Suspected smuggling will entail criminal liability.
• Export tax fraud requires repayment of the refunded taxes and late-payment penalties

Newly implemented in 2025Cross-border Trade Credit Joint Punishment Mechanism, the violations will be recorded in the enterprise credit file.

8. Are the qualifications of small and medium-sized agents reliable?

Key items requiring verification:

• Actual controller's industry experience (recommended: 10+ years)
• No significant violations in the past three years
• Whether to purchaseInternational Trade Professional Liability Insurance
• Qualification level of the cooperating customs broker

It is recommended to require provisionBank Performance Guaranteeor take out insuranceExport Credit Insuranceas a risk safeguard.