What are the core advantages of having a foreign trade company act as an import and export agent?

A professional foreign trade agency can provide clients withEnd-to-end solution: From HS code classification,通関From document preparation to foreign exchange verification. Taking the latest 2025 data as an example, companies using professional agents cut average customs clearance time by 3.2 working days and raised VAT rebate accuracy to 98.7%. Core advantages include:

• Professional expertise in handling complex trade documents
• Leverage economies of scale to reduce logistics costs
• Stay on top of trade policy changes worldwide in real time
• Emergency Response Mechanism for Customs Inspection

How to choose a reliable import輸出代理店Company?

Recommendation approvedthree dimensionsEvaluate the agency's qualifications:

• Qualification Review
  • Priority for AEO-certified enterprises by Customs
  • Check the SAFE (State Administration of Foreign Exchange) filing records
• Service capability
  • Coverage of Major Port Operations Outlets
  • Experience with special categories (e.g., hazardous chemicals, food)
• Risk control system
  • Trade Compliance Review Process
  • Specific Terms of the Error Compensation Plan

What is the fee structure for import and export agency services?

Industry Standard Fees Included in 2025Base service fee + variable costs：

• The basic service fee is generally charged at 0.8%-1.5% of the cargo value.
• Floating costs include:
  • Customs declaration and inspection fees (actual cost reimbursement)
  • Bank handling fee (SWIFT transfer approx. USD 35 per transaction)
  • Expedited fee for special documents (e.g., expedited CO: RMB 150 per copy)

How can foreign trade agents handle the risks of customs inspection?

Professional companies will establishThree-tier prevention mechanism：

• Pre-submission Review: Use AI systems to pre-assess risk points in declarations
• On-site response: 24/7 on-site customs support
• Post-Incident Improvement: Establish a product database to record historical inspection results

For example, in a case involving the import of a medical device, the agency leveraged the pre-classification dispute-resolution procedure to successfully lower the tariff rate from 8% to 3%, saving the client RMB 620,000 in duties.

Is cross-border e-commerce suitable for using foreign trade agents?

Under the 2025 cross-border e-commerce regulatory reforms, it is recommended to use an agent in the following situations:

• The value of a single shipment exceeds RMB 5,000
• Products subject to CCC certification
• Adopt the 9810/9710 supervision codes

The agency can assist in completingCross-border E-commerce Comprehensive TaxProfessional operations such as declaration and bonded warehouse data reconciliation.

What documents are required for import and export agency services?

The basic document checklist includes:

• Business documents: contracts, invoices, packing lists
• Transport Documents: Bill of Lading/Waybill, Insurance Policy
• Qualification Documents:
  • Certificate of Import and Export Operation Rights
  • Special commodity permits (e.g., pesticide import registration certificates)

What can an agency do when trade disputes arise?

A legitimate agent should provideDispute Resolution Support：

• Issue a professional trade fact-finding certificate
• Assist in applying for customs classification advance rulings
• Contact an international arbitration institution (e.g., ICC)

In a certain bulk commodity dispute case, the agency firm helped its client successfully recover USD 830,000 in payment by providing a complete logistics trajectory proof.

How to choose between self-operated import-export and agency model?

Recommended for referenceCritical threshold for annual import and export volume：

• Under $3 million: the agency model is more cost-effective
• $3–8 million: Consider establishing a foreign trade department
• Over $8 million: it is recommended to establish a self-operated system

A comprehensive calculation must factor in personnel costs, system investments, and opportunity costs. One company’s analysis shows that, with annual export revenue of USD 5 million, using an agent can reduce overall costs by 27%.

What new trends will emerge in the import and export agency industry in 2025?

The industry is undergoingDigital transformation：

• Blockchain Traceability: 40% of Top-Tier Agents Have Adopted
• Smart Customs Declaration: AI-powered automatic document preparation achieves 95% accuracy
• Green Logistics: Carbon Emission Data Now Incorporated into Service Quotations

It is recommended to choose an agency that invests in technology; their error rate is 58% lower than that of traditional agencies.