I. What Qualifications Does an Import/Export Agency Business Require?

According to the latest regulations of China Customs in 2025, enterprises legally engaged in import and export agency business must possess:

• Foreign Trade Operator Registration Record(The original import-export rights approval has been changed to a filing system)
• Customscustoms clearanceUnit registration certificate
  • Customs declaration enterprises need to obtain AEO certification from Customs
  • New requirement in 2024 for electronic customs declaration system integration
• Register of Foreign Exchange Administration
  • Must comply with annual foreign exchange settlement quota management
  • Cross-border RMB settlement filing certificate

II. What Are the Common Types of Agency Companies?

There are mainly three types of enterprises providing import and export agency services in the market:

• Professional freight forwarding companies(Such as Sinotrans, COSCO SHIPPING)
  • Advantage: Global logistics network coverage
  • Limitation: Varying document processing capabilities
• Supply chain management companies(Such as Li & Fung Supply Chain)
  • Feature: Provides full-chain foreign trade services
  • Case: A photovoltaic company completed customs clearance in 22 countries through them
• Dual - track system of online and offline(Such as OneTouch)
  • Innovation: Government-recognized new foreign trade business model
  • Risk: Tax audits triggered by advance payments

III. How to Verify an Agency Companys Authenticity?

It is recommended to adopt the "three checks and three verifications" validation method:

• Check the public announcement system
  • National Enterprise Credit Information Publication System
  • Customs Enterprise Credit Information Publicity Platform
• Verify original qualification documents
  • Require inspection of original customs certificates
  • Cross-check foreign exchange directory enterprise codes
• Verify service team
  • Customs declarants must be certified (IC card customs declaration certificate)
  • Require presentation of customs affairs manager qualification certificates

IV. What Core Services Do Agencies Provide?

Formal agency companies should provide full-process services:

• Document services
  • New in 2025: Electronic certificate of origin issuance
  • RCEP agreement tariff intelligent matching
• Customs clearance services
  • 31. Supply chain optimization
  • Customs AEO certification guidance
• Foreign exchange services
  • Cross-border payment and receipt solution design
  • Application of foreign exchange risk hedging tools

V. What risks should be considered when selecting an agency company?

Common cooperation risks in recent years include:

• Qualification rental traps
  • Case of a company penalized by Customs for using unqualified agents
  • Joint liability for tax evasion legal responsibilities
• Hidden fee issues
  • 2024 new regulations on Customs inspection fee adjustments
  • Unclear port miscellaneous fee calculation standards
• Unclear responsibility division
  • Recommended signing of tripartite liability agreements
  • Clear customs declaration error compensation mechanism