
輸出代理店What qualifications does a person need to possess?
In accordance with the 2025 latest "International Trade Agency Management Measures," compliant輸出代理店A person must simultaneously satisfy:
- Statutory Qualifications:AEO-certified enterprise by Customs, registered qualification with the State Administration of Foreign Exchange
- Professional Competencies:A customs team with at least 3 years of hands-on experience, ISO9001 quality management certification
- Funding Guarantee:The paid-in registered capital shall be no less than RMB 5 million (higher for certain industries)
Case: In 2023, a Shenzhen-based electronics company saw a $2 million rush order stranded at the port for 14 days because its agent lacked AEO certification, incurring an additional demurrage fee of RMB 380,000.
What are the key processes involved in agency cooperation?
A standardized export agency process comprises seven core stages:
- Contract Review and Trade Terms Confirmation (with a focus on reviewing the Incoterms 2025 version)
- Pre-classification and compliant declaration
- Accuracy verification of product codes
- Verification of Certificate of Origin
- Logistics Solution Optimization (it is recommended to compare sea freight, China-Europe Railway Express, and air freight combination options)
How can a company ensure the security of its funds?
It is recommended to adoptStaged payment + third-party supervisionMode:
- The down payment shall not exceed 30% of the total contract value.
- The balance payment shall be made after the bill of lading is issued.
- Using a bank performance bond to mitigate payment risk
2024 industry data shows that companies using third-party fund supervision have seen a 67% reduction in dispute rates.
How are agency service fees calculated?
Mainstream billing models in 2025 include:
- Fixed Commission: 3–8% of the goods value (depending on product complexity)
- Tiered pricing: 5% for the portion below 5 million, and 3% for the portion exceeding 5 million
- Value-Added Service Package: includes certification agency services, tax refund advance financing, etc.
How to guard against legal risks?
Must be signedTripartite Rights and Responsibilities Agreement, with special attention to:
- Intellectual Property Ownership Clause
- Formula for Calculating Breach-of-Contract Damages
- Dispute Resolution Venue Clause (China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission is recommended)
How do you assess an agent's professionalism?
It is recommended to evaluate from three dimensions:
- Industry Case: Hands-on Experience with Products in the Same Category
- Response Speed: Feedback mechanism within 2 hours on regular business days
- Risk Control System: Whether a dual-review compliance verification mechanism is in place
輸出稅還付How should we handle it?
Professional agents should provideEnd-to-end tax refund management:
- Document pre-screening (verify the customs declaration against the VAT invoice 30 days in advance)
- Exception Handling (New Electronic Ledger System Matching Rules Added in 2025)
- Tax-advance service (receive up to 90 % of your tax refund in advance)
What should I do if there are issues with the shipment of goods?
Qualified agents should possessEmergency response mechanism:
- Establish contingency port plans (e.g., Shenzhen Yantian Port and Guangzhou Nansha Port serving as mutual backups)
- Take out full-journey cargo insurance (recommended coverage: 130% of the cargo value)
- Real-time Tracking System (mainstream adoption of blockchain-based logistics tracking by 2025)
How can trade disputes be resolved?
It is recommended to handle it in three steps:
- Preserve evidence immediately (B/L, correspondence, test reports)
- Engaging overseas legal resources through an agent
- Leveraging the expedited arbitration mechanism of the International Trade Mediation Center (ITMC)
Does an agent need industry expertise?
Certain industries must choose a professional agent:
- Food category: Must be familiar with FDA and BRC certification processes
- Medical Devices: Mastering the EU MDR New Regulations (Mandatory Implementation in 2025)
- Mechanical equipment: Capable of CE certification and energy label processing
Companies are advised to request at least 12 months of recent case studies from the same industry when selecting an agent, and to conduct on-site inspections of their customs-management system and risk-control procedures. According to 2025 data from the General Administration of Customs, enterprises that partner with professional agents see an average 42 % improvement in clearance speed and a drop in declaration error rates to below 0.7 %.