I. What is an export agent under a designated company name, and how does it differ from self-operated export?

輸出代理店The company is a third-party service provider certified with AEO status by customs, offering services to enterprises without import and export rights.「権限借用輸出」サービス. Compared with self-operated exports:

• Self-operated export requires the enterprise to possess:
  • Foreign Trade Operator Record Filing
  • Customs通関単位登録
  • SAFE Registry Registration
• 代理輸出In mode:
  • Manufacturing companies focus on the product
  • The agent handles customs declaration, tax rebates, and foreign exchange.
  • The capital turnover cycle is shortened by 30–45 days.

II. How to verify the actual qualifications of an agency?

After the General Administration of Customs launches the electronic verification system in 2025, it is recommended to verify through the following methods:

• 「中國海關(guān)企業(yè)輸出入信用情報公開プラットフォーム」にログインしてください
• Check whether the Agency Export Agreement includes:
  • Customs Registration Code (10-digit number)
  • SAFE Filing Number
  • Tax Registration Certificate Number
• Provide the most recent three months輸出稅還付Filing Records

III. What items are typically included in agency fees?

The fee structure of a legitimate agency should include:

• Basic Service Fee (0.8%–1.5% of cargo value)
• Customs declaration and inspection fees (charged per document)
• Document handling fee (proforma invoice, packing list, etc.)
• Interest on advance funding (if tax advance by agent is required)
• 特に注意：「稅込み」條項を含む見積もりは拒否してください。

IV. Is the agent liable when the goods are detained by customs?

According to the latest 2025 Customs Administrative Penalty Regulations:

• The agent bears procedural responsibility:
  • Accuracy of Declared Information
  • Document Compliance
• Manufacturers bear substantive responsibility:
  • Product Quality and Safety
  • Intellectual Property Ownership
  • Trade authenticity

V. How to avoid falling into the trap of buying-out export scams?

Three key characteristics of identifying illegal operations:

• No formal agency agreement will be signed
• Cash transactions or private account transfers are required
• The operating entity shown on the customs declaration is unrelated to the actual owner of the goods.
• 「ダブルヘッダー通関」方式の採用を推奨します：
  • First Header: Agency Name + Customs Registration Code
  • Second Heading: Manufacturer Name + Unified Social Credit Code

6. Will export through an agent affect the enterprise’s tax rebate?

Under standard procedures, the tax refund can be processed normally; please ensure:

• The buyer on the special VAT invoice is an agency company.
• The inbound foreign exchange account is the pending-verification account of the agency company.
• 通関申告書の「生産販売単位」欄には、実際の生産企業(yè)を記入してください。
• 2025年稅務(wù)総局が「還付資料ブロックチェーン証明」を?qū)毪筏酷帷⒋淼辘穗娮邮茴I(lǐng)書の提出を求めることを推奨します。

7. What clauses should be paid attention to when signing an agency agreement?

6 Key Clauses That Must Be Clearly Defined:

• Payment method (T/T or L/C)
• Foreign exchange verification timeline
• Venue for dispute resolution (it is recommended to designate the China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission)
• Intellectual Property Warranty Clause
• Confidentiality Obligations Regarding Data (Especially Customer Information)
• Force Majeure Exemption Scope

8. Can I export directly through a freight forwarder if I don’t have import-export rights?

Pursuant to the "Benchmarks for Administrative Penalty Discretion in Customs" implemented in 2025:

• The freight forwarder only holds transportation qualifications.
• It must be declared through a customs-qualified agency.
• Declaring customs directly under the freight forwarder's name will expose you to:
  • Risk of cargo detention
  • A fine ranging from 5% to 30% of the goods' value
  • Corporate Credit Rating Downgrade

IX. How to Prevent an Agency from Misappropriating Foreign Exchange Payments?

「三者監(jiān)管」モデルの採用を推奨します：

• Sign the "Foreign Exchange Receipt and Payment Supervision Agreement"
• Require the agency to open a co-managed account at the designated bank
• Utilizing blockchain smart contract technology:
  • Automatic notification upon receipt
  • Automatically frozen if not confirmed within 24 hours

10. How can trust with overseas clients be established under the export agency model?

Professional practices include:

• Publish the agency cooperation agreement on the official website (with sensitive clauses redacted).
• Issued by the proxy companyAuthorization Statement
• Arrange for the client to conduct an on-site inspection of the customs-supervised warehouse operated by the agency
• Send payment path notification via the SWIFT system