This article analyzes hidden risks in export agency business including qualification risks, payment security, tax compliance and other core issues, providing risk identification methods and prevention suggestions to help companies avoid cooperation pitfalls.

2025 General Administration of Customs data shows that nationwide, legitimatecustoms clearancequalified agency companies account for less than 65% of the industry total. Enterprises need to focus on verifying:

• Basic Qualifications: Customs AEO certification, SAFE registration record
• Business Qualifications:Export tax refundClass-A enterprise qualification, special commodity operation license
• Case Warning: In 2024, a Shenzhen foreign trade company had an entire container of goods destroyed at the destination port due to the agents lack of hazardous chemicals operation qualification

How to identify qualification risks of unqualified agents?

Common scenarios of cargo ownership loss under agency model include:

• Agent arbitrarily changing bill of lading consignee
• Unauthorized handling of stranded port cargo
• Misappropriation of customer container free time

It is recommended to clearly define cargo ownership transfer points in cooperation agreements and require daily logistics tracking reports from agents.

What risks might actual control of goods face?

2025 SAFE typical case reports show that main risks in agency foreign exchange collection exist in:

• Agents setting up unauthorized overseas capital pools
• Exchange rate fluctuation disputes
• Third-party payment channel compliance risks

Recommended adoptionExport credit insurance + third-party payment supervision accountcombination solution to ensure closed-loop fund security.

How to ensure payment security?

2025 State Taxation Administration special inspections found thatAgency export,tax-related issues mainly involve:

• Falsely issuing VAT invoices
• Export tax refundCertificate not matched.
• Cross-border service fee splitting for tax avoidance

Enterprises should establishfour-flow alignmentverification mechanism (contract, logistics, funds, invoices), with monthly tax health checks recommended.

What are the hidden tax compliance pitfalls?

Among EU customs detained goods in 2025, 32% involved infringement due to agent selection errors:

• Suppliers privately changing product designs
• Overseas trademark squatting
• Brand disputes arising from parallel imports

It is recommended to addGuarantee of intellectual property rightsto agency agreements and require agents to provide proof of product source legality.

What joint liabilities may arise from policy changes?

2025 RCEP new regulations taking effect require special attention to:

• Authenticity of certificate of origin documents
• Sensitive item export controls
• ESG supply chain traceability obligations

It is recommended to select agency companies with professional customs teams and establish policy warning response mechanisms.

How to avoid disputes over hidden fees?

Common fee dispute points include:

• Destination port unexpected additional charges
• Exchange rate conversion difference
• Abnormal situation handling fees (such as amendment fees, telex release fees)

Should be clearly specified in the contractLump-sum fee clause, stipulate fee adjustment trigger conditions and negotiation mechanisms.

How to prevent and control market information leakage risks?

In agency cooperation, precautions should be taken against:

• Interception of customer resources
• Leakage of quotation information
• Replication of supplier resources

It is recommended to signNon-compete agreement, adopt a segmented information management model, with key data stored by the enterprise itself.

When selecting agency services, foreign trade enterprises should establishQualification review → process control → risk hedging → emergency responseA comprehensive risk control system. It is recommended to prioritize service providers with comprehensive insurance coverage (such as professional liability insurance, freight forwarder liability insurance) that can provide digital risk control systems.