What isExport agentHow does it differ from a customs declaration form?

Export agentThe Export Agency Certificate is a core legal document in foreign trade agency business, issued by an agency company with import-export rights to the principal, mainly containing the following elements:

• Legal names and registration information of both parties
• Detailed specifications of the exported goods
• Division of foreign exchange settlement and tax refund responsibilities
• Customs declarationTerms of obligation agreements

The essential difference from a customs declaration form is:The customs declaration form is a customs supervision document, while the power of attorney is a certificate of civil legal relationship. According to Announcement No. 38 of the General Administration of Customs in 2025, the "domestic consignor" field on the customs declaration form must completely match the information of the principal on the power of attorney; otherwise, it will affect the tax refund process.

Under what circumstances must an export agency certificate be obtained?

According to the current Foreign Trade Law and the 2025 State Administration of Foreign Exchange new policy, the following three types of situations must be properly handled:

• Manufacturing enterprises entrusting foreign trade companies to export
• Trading companies using third-party import-export qualifications
  • Special note: Starting from 2025, agency businesses under cross-border supply chain finance require separate filing
• Cross-border e-commerce enterprises exporting through comprehensive service platforms

Notably, the newly introduced "Consignor Traceability Inspection" system by customs in 2025 requires that the agency certificate must include a QR code for product traceability information, marking the most significant policy change in recent years.

How to prevent legal risks in agency exports?

Based on a summary of agency dispute cases from the 2020s, it is recommended to focus on three dimensions:

• Division of rights and responsibilitiesClarify responsibility attribution for customs declaration errors
• Fund controlSet confirmation nodes for foreign exchange receipt
• Breach of contract clausesAgree on joint liability for intellectual property infringement

Special reminder: The foreign trade chapter of the Civil Code implemented in 2025 clearly states that if the agency certificate does not include quality dispute clauses, the agency must bear the responsibility for advance compensation.

What are the new changes in the application process for export agency certificates?

Standard process after the 2025 digitalization reform:

• Electronic signature system integration (requires using CA certificates certified by customs)
• Application of intelligent commodity classification assistance systems
  • New AI pre-review function increases HS code accuracy by 40%
• Automatic filing on blockchain notarization platforms

Currently, the Yangtze River Delta region is piloting a "second-approval" system, reducing the average processing time from application to approval to just 15 minutes, with nationwide rollout expected by Q4 2025.

What details should be noted when selecting an agency company?

According to 2025 industry research data, the three characteristics of high-quality agents are:

• Possess AEO Advanced Certification qualification
• Foreign Exchange Administration Classification of Class A Enterprises
• Possessing export experience in specific industries
  • For example, medical device agents must have FDA filing records

It is recommended to verify the company's credit status through the official website of the General Administration of Customs, with special attention to the newly added "Compliance Index for Agency Business" disclosure system in 2025. Companies with an index score below 85 are prohibited from participating in government procurement projects.