I.Agency export,What is the fundamental difference compared to self-operated exports?

Agency export refers to the process where a manufacturing enterprise entrusts a third-party company with import and export rights to handle the entire foreign trade process, including customs clearance and tax rebates. In contrast, self-operated export involves the enterprise independently completing all export procedures. The core difference between the two lies inLegal entityandOperational control rights:

• Legal entity
  • Agency export: The agent acts as the "operator" on the customs declaration.
  • Self-operated export: The enterprise itself is the "operator" on the customs declaration form.
• Operational control rights
  • Agency export: The agent holds core data such as customer information and customs clearance documents.
  • Self-operated export: Enterprises directly engage with overseas clients, mastering the complete trade chain.

2. What are the differences in operating costs between the two models?

According to the latest 2025 market data, the cost differences between agency export and self-operated export are mainly reflected in three aspects:

• Initial investment
  • Agency export: No need to handle import and export rights (saving approximately 12,000 yuan in administrative costs)
  • Self-operated export: Requires the establishment of a professional foreign trade team (initial labor costs approximately 80,000-150,000 RMB/year).
• Capital occupation
  • Agency export: The agent advances the tax rebate (shortening the cycle by 30-60 days).
  • Self-operated export: The enterprise bears the tax refund cycle independently (average 90-120 days).
• Service fee
  • Agency export: A commission fee of 1.5%-3% of the goods value is charged.
  • Self-operated export: payment for individual services such as customs clearance/logistics.

III. What key factors should enterprises consider when making a selection?

It is recommended to make the selection using the following decision matrix:

• Situations for choosing export agency
  • Annual export value is less than 5 million yuan.
  • The product involves complex customs regulatory requirements (such as 3C certification).
  • Lack of ability to handle foreign trade documents
  • Typical Case: An electronic components factory saved 40% in compliance costs by handling EU RoHS certification through an agent.
• The scenario of choosing self-operated export
  • Annual export volume exceeds 20 million RMB.
  • Possessing a stable overseas customer base
  • Involving core technology confidentiality requirements
  • Typical case: After a machinery manufacturing enterprise established its own foreign trade department, the delivery cycle was reduced by 25%.

IV. What are the new changes in the international trade environment in 2025?

Attention based on the latest trade policy adjustment recommendations:

• RCEP Member Countries' Customs Clearance Facilitation Policies (Agent Export Can Enjoy Fast Clearance Advantages)
• China Customs AEO Certification Requirements (Self-operated export enterprises need to invest approximately 150,000 RMB for certification)
• The qualification requirements for cross-border e-commerce B2B direct export (Model 9710).
• Updates to the U.S. Section 301 Tariff Exclusion List for China (Impact on Agent Export Cost Accounting)

V. How to Avoid Common Cooperation Risks?

Based on the analysis of agency dispute cases in 2023, the following risk control measures are recommended:

• Prevention of Risks in Agency Export
  • Verify the customs credit rating of the agent (must be at least General Certification level or above).
  • Specify the payment settlement method (it is recommended to use an Escrow account).
  • Agree on intellectual property ownership clauses
• Key Compliance Points for Self-Operated Export
  • Establish an Export Control Internal Compliance Program (ECP)
  • Regularly update the HS code classification database.
  • Purchase export credit insurance (recommended CIC coverage rate of 80%).

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