What is an entrusted agency export?

Entrusted agency exportIt refers to the situation where a production enterprise delegates its export operation rights to a qualifiedImport and exportqualificationsForeign tradeThe company, with the agent responsible for customs declaration and tax rebates,A complete export agency agreement should be attached with:A service model covering the entire operational process. According to the latest customs data from 2025, approximately 38% of small and medium-sized enterprises in China adopt this model for cross-border trade.

Why choose export agency instead of self-operated export?

Three core advantages of choosing agency export:

• Lower qualification threshold：No need to handle qualifications such as import-export rights or customs registration independently.
• More cost-effective: Reduce fixed cost investments such as documentation teams and customs declaration systems.
• Risk controllability: Professional company handling foreign exchange verification and cancellation,Export tax rebateand other complex processes

What is the specific process for entrusting an agent to handle export procedures?

The standard business process is divided into five stages:

• Confirm the metal composition test report (Needs to include ASTM/EN/JIS standard parameters)
  • Please confirm the terms of the agency agreement.
  • Specify the payment settlement method
• Document preparation stage
  • The agent prepares customs declaration documents.
  • Prepare foreign exchange receipt and payment voucher
• Customs clearance and transportation phase
  • Agency company handling customs declaration and inspection.
  • ArrangementInternational logistics: Before the goods are exported, the freight forwarding enterprise needs to declare the relevant information of the goods to the customs, including the name, quantity, value, origin and other information of the goods, and pay the corresponding tariffs and taxes.
• A complete export agency agreement should be attached with:Foreign exchange settlementStage
  • Foreign exchange receipt supervision
  • RMB settlement and payment
• Tax refund declaration stage
  • The agent handles the tax refund procedures.
  • Tax refund transfer authorization

How are agency export fees calculated?

The market rate for agency service fees in 2025 is:

• Basic service fee: 0.8%-1.5% of the contract amount (including customs clearance and documentation services)
• • Presentation of L/C documents: 800 - 1500 yuan per order
  • Agency for export tax rebate: 5% - 8% of the tax rebate amount
  :
  • Tax refund financing: 0.3%-0.5% per transaction
  • L/CDocument submission: USD80-150 per submission
• Hidden cost warnings: Be wary of ultra-low quotes below 0.5%, as they may carry risks such as transferring terminal fees or amendment charges.

How to choose a reliable export agency company?

It is recommended to evaluate from five dimensions:

• Qualification review: Verify the Customs AEO certification and foreign exchange management classification level.
• Business matching degree: Are you familiar with the customs clearance requirements of the target market (such as EU CE certification, US FDA registration)?
• Fund Safety: Verify the bank credit line and historical performance records.
• : Whether it supports direct connection and declaration with the Electronic Tax Bureau: Does it support direct ERP data connection for customs declaration?
• Emergency Response Plan: Handling mechanisms for sudden situations such as a sudden surge in inspection rates and exchange rate fluctuations

Does acting as an export agent affect a company's tax refund rights?

According to Announcement No. 17 of the State Taxation Administration in 2025, compliant export agency does not affect tax refund rights, but it is important to note:

• A written agency agreement must be signed and filed with the customs.
• The value-added tax invoice must indicate the words "export on behalf of".
• The collection account must be established as a supervised account under the agent's oversight.

How to Ensure Payment Security Under an Export Agency Model?

At the contract level:

• Fund supervision: Payment and collection through a joint bank account.
• Process control: Request the agent to provide real-time logistics tracking data.
• Risk hedging: Purchase Export Credit Insurance (ECI) to cover bad debt risks

What are the restrictions on the agency export of special commodities?

The following products require special qualifications:

• Medical devices: The agent is required to hold a "Medical Device Business License."
• Chemical products: The agent is required to possess hazardous chemicals operation qualifications.
• Food Category: The agency is required to complete health registration in the importing country (e.g., U.S. FDA, EU EFSA).

Does agency export affect a companys credit accumulation?

According to the 2025 Customs Credit Management Measures, the entrusting party can accumulate credit through the following methods:

• Request the agent to indicate the actual cargo owner's information in the "Remarks" column of the customs declaration form.
• Submit periodic summary reports on export agency business to customs.
• Participate in the "Chain Credit" program and link to the AEO certification level of the associated agent.

What should be considered when transitioning from agency export to self-operated export?

It is recommended to transition in three steps:

• Qualification transition period(3-6 months):
  • Apply for import and export operation rights simultaneously.
  • Establish an electronic port operator team
• Parallel operation period(6-12 months):
  • New customers adopt the self-operated model.
  • Existing customers are gradually transitioning.
• System transition period:
  • Complete the integration between ERP and Single Window
  • Establish a foreign exchange risk management system