What is an Export Trade Agent?

Export trade agent is a professional service provider that handles customs records on behalf of enterprises.Customs reporting inspection, single certificate production, logistics coordination, receipt of transfersAccording to 2025s latest Customs Agency Management Measures, legal agents must haveAEO certification qualificationandOperation of the Single Window for International Trade.

What specific content does the agency contain?

• Basic Service Modules:
  • Classification of goods and declaration of HS code
  • Certificate of Origin (including RCEP and other Free Trade Agreements)
  • Credit Card Audit and Payment
• Value Added Services Modules:
  • Export tax refundThe entire process.
  • Pre-examination of port purposes
  • Trade Compliance Risk Assessment

Why need professional?Export agent?

Implementation by the EU in 2025CBAM carbon tariff mechanismAsking exporters to provide complete carbon footprint data, professional agents can help:

• Establish an accounting system compliant with ISO14067 standards
• Avoiding the risk of seizure of goods due to incomplete data
• Reduce the cost of default due to a single certificate error (average reduction of87%)

How to calculate agent expenses?

The mainstream fee model includes:

• Fixed service fees: charged by export batch (reference price300-800 per ticket)
• Value of Commissions0.3%-1.2% of FOB amount
• Risk of gambling.Promise to refund taxes to account time, overtime compensation

How to verify agency qualifications?

• RegisteredChinas Single Window in International TradeRequest for record information
• Demand to showAEO certification certificate(Department of Customs Administration)
• verifiedOccupational liability insuranceThe original insurance.

2025 What new changes should I note?

• Capacity of Digital ServicesSupports Blockchain Listings
• Green Trade QualificationsKnowledge of ESG compliance requirements
• Emergency handling mechanismsAlternatives to the Red Sea Route Crisis

What about operating errors?

The legal agent must be specified in the contract.Preliminary Conditions of Paymentand including:

• Tariff compensation due to classification errors
• Credit card refusal due to delay
• Credit rating reduction caused by false statements

The advantage of self-export and agency exports?

• Self-exporting advantages:
  • Direct control of customer information.
  • Saving Agent Services Costs
• Advantages of Export Agent:
  • Avoiding exchange risk (the agent is responsible for the first payment)
  • Enjoy scale purchases.

How to assess the service quality of the agency?

It is recommended to pay attention to three key indicators:

• Time of Customs: From declaration to release ≤2
• The Tax Repayment CycleAverage number of days (2023 year industry benchmark is45 day)
• The error rate: Number of times that a single ticket business has been modified ≤0.3

What clauses must the agency contract contain?

• Dispute Resolution ApplicableModel Clauses of International Trade Agents Contracts
• clearlyData confidentiality obligation(Requirements of both GDPR and CCPA)
• AgreedExemption of force majeure(such as war, cyber attacks and so on)