What is an export trade agent?

Export trade agents are professional service providers registered with customs, representing enterprises in handlingCustoms declaration and inspection, document preparation, logistics coordination, foreign exchange receipts and paymentsand other import and export stages. According to the latest 2025 Measures for the Administration of Customs Brokers, a lawful agent must possessAEO CertificationとSingle Window Operating Authority for International Trade」でした.

What specific services are included in the proxy service?

• Basic Service Module：
  • Product Classification and HS Code Declaration
  • Certificate of Origin Processing (including RCEP and other FTAs)
  • Letter of Credit Document Examination and Presentation
• Value-Added Services Module：
  • 輸出稅還付Full-service agency
  • Pre-clearance Review at Destination Port
  • Trade Compliance Risk Assessment

Why Professionalism Matters輸出代理店」?

Implemented by the EU in 2025CBAM Carbon Border Adjustment MechanismRequiring exporters to provide complete carbon footprint data, professional agents can assist companies:

• Establish a carbon accounting system compliant with the ISO 14067 standard
• Avoid the risk of cargo detention caused by incomplete data
• Reduce demurrage charges caused by documentation errors (average reduction of 87%)

How is the agency fee calculated?

Mainstream monetization models include:

• Fixed service fee: Charged per export batch (reference price: 300–800 RMB per bill)
• Cargo-value commission: 0.3%–1.2% of the FOB amount
• risk-based earnout：Guaranteed tax-refund arrival time, with compensation for any delay

How do I verify the qualifications of an agency?

• Sign inChina International Trade Single WindowQuery filing information
• Request to presentAEO Certificate(Issued by the General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China)
• VerificationPurchase professional liability insurancethe original insurance policy

What new changes should you watch for when choosing an agent in 2025?

• Digital Service Capability: Does it support blockchain-based bills of lading?
• Green Trade Qualification: A team well-versed in ESG compliance requirements
• Emergency response mechanism：Alternative Solutions to the Red Sea Route Crisis

What should I do if the proxy makes an operational error?

A legitimate agency should be clearly specified in the contractAdvance Compensation Clause, including:

• Tariff supplement due to misclassification
• LC dishonor due to document delay
• Credit rating downgrade triggered by inaccurate reporting

Pros and Cons of Self-operated Export vs. Agency Export?

• Advantages of Self-operated Export：
  • Direct control over customer information
  • Save on proxy service costs
• Advantages of Export Agency：
  • Mitigating collection risk (agent assumes primary payment liability)
  • Enjoy logistics discounts from bulk purchasing

How to evaluate the service quality of an agent?

It’s recommended to focus on three core metrics:

• Customs clearance timeliness: Proportion of cases cleared within ≤2 hours from declaration to release
• Tax refund cycle: Average Days (2023 industry benchmark: 45 days)
• error rate: The number of declaration modifications per single-ticket transaction ≤ 0.3

What clauses must be included when signing an agency contract?

• Applicable Law for Dispute ResolutionModel Clauses for International Trade Agency Contracts
• ClearConfidentiality Obligation(Dual requirements under GDPR and CCPA)
• AgreementForce Majeure Exemption Scope(such as war, cyberattacks, etc.)