I. What is the essence of export trade agency?

Export trade agency refers to an entity that possessesImport and export operation rightsa specialized company that, on behalf of manufacturers or traders, handles the entire cross-border transaction process. According to 2023 data from the General Administration of Customs of China, roughly 38% of the country’s export business is conducted through the agency model, and in specialized sectors such as mechanical and electrical equipment and chemical products, the share exceeds 60%.

2. What core services does the agency specifically provide?

• Document Processing System：
  • Commercial Invoice/Packing List Preparation
  • Certificate of Origin Application (including regional preferential certificates such as FORM E)
  • 輸出通関Single filing (including HS code classification)
• Logistics Solutions：
  • International Shipping Method Selection (FOB vs. CIF Comparative Analysis)
  • Special Handling for Hazardous Materials Transportation
  • Destination port customs clearance coordination
• Fund safety control：
  • Letter of Credit Examination and Document Presentation
  • 輸出稅還付Agency (average 45-day reduction in payment cycle)
  • Foreign Exchange Risk Hedging Strategy

3. What is the fundamental difference between self-operated exports and agency exports?

A case study from a medical-device manufacturer shows that after choosing export agency services:

• Initial cost reduced by 72% (no need to set up a foreign trade department)
• Customs clearance time reduced by 40%
• The trade dispute resolution cycle has been shortened to 15 working days.

The core difference lies inrisk transfer mechanism: The agency company assumes customs clearance responsibilities, foreign exchange verification obligations, and trade compliance risks.

IV. How to evaluate the professional competence of an agency?

• Three Essential Elements of Qualification Verification：
  • Customs AEO Certification Level
  • SAFE Classification and Rating
  • Special industry qualifications (e.g., medical device registration, food export filing)
• Four Dimensions of Hands-on Competency：
  • Experience with single-shipment projects valued in the tens of millions
  • Emergency Case Library for Customs Clearance Issues in Destination Countries
  • Trade Barrier Early-Warning System (e.g., responses to U.S. Section 301 tariffs)
  • Digital Tracking System (real-time inquiry of cargo/fund status)

V. How should the agency service fee be calculated to be reasonable?

Industry-standard billing models include:

• Value-based ratio system (0.8%–1.5%, as low as 0.3% for bulk commodities)
• Flat-rate per ticket (suitable for small-batch, high-frequency shipments)
• Risk-Sharing Agreement (for High-Difficulty Orders)

Special attention is requiredImplicit cost: such as amendment fees, demurrage-sharing clauses, and foreign-exchange rate lock service charges.

VI. Situations in which use is mandatory輸出代理店」?

• involveExport-controlled items(e.g., application for a dual-use items license)
• Target market requirementsLocalization file(e.g., Saudi SASO certification)
• Special trade methods (such as the cross-border e-commerce 9610/9710 models)
• When the remittance-receiving country is under sanctions (the agency provides a third-party settlement solution)

VII. How to Guard Against Legal Risks in Agency Partnerships?

Must sign an agreement that includes the following elementsTripartite Agreement(Exporter, Agent, Foreign Buyer):

• Payment settlement path (clarifying the agent’s responsibility for collection and disbursement on behalf of others)
• Intellectual Property Ownership Clause
• Quality Dispute Resolution Mechanism
• Force Majeure Clause (refer to Incoterms? 2025)

8. What new forms of agency services have emerged in the digital age?

Leading agency has been deployed:

• Blockchain-based Document System (reduces document processing time by 30%)
• AI Compliance Review Tool (automatically identifies 300+ types of filing errors)
• Supply Chain Finance Platform (providing financing based on real trade data)

IX. How to verify the actual service level of an agency?

Required to provide:

• the past six monthsCopy of the customs declaration(Verification of Declaration Accuracy)
• Typical CustomersCooperation cycle data(Renewal rate reflects service quality)
• CustomsCredit Disclosure SystemQuery Results

10. How can I effectively protect my rights when disputes arise in an agency partnership?

It is recommended to adoptFour-Step Processing Method：

• Seal all related emails/chat records immediately
• Apply for mediation with the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade
• Initiate the trade insurance claim process (if insured)
• Assert rights through the maritime court (statute of limitations: 2 years)