Conducting ImExport agentWhat Basic Qualifications Are Required for the Business?

According to the latest 2025 Foreign Trade Law, the following qualifications are required to engage in import and export agency services:

• Corporate legal person status: Business license scope must include 'goods import and export' or 'technology import and export'
• 28. Record - filing of foreign trade operators: Complete registration on the Ministry of Commerces Unified Business System Platform (registration number is permanently valid)
• Customs registration certificate: China Electronic Port IC Card andcustoms clearanceUnit registration certificate
• Register of Foreign Exchange Administration: Complete enterprise directory registration in the Goods Trade Foreign Exchange Monitoring System
• Special industry licenses: Additional approvals are required for special goods such as medical devices and food

What Documents Are Needed for Agency Import and Export Customs Clearance?

The 'Smart Customs Clearance 2.0' system implemented by the General Administration of Customs in 2025 requires agency enterprises to prepare:

• Basic certificate:
  • Commercial invoice (must include trade terms such as FOB/CIF)
  • Packing list (must indicate HS codes)
  • Transport documents (bill of lading/air waybill)
• Regulatory documents:
  • Certificate of origin (RCEP certificate usage increased by 35%)
  • Import license (for goods such as machinery, electronics, and chemicals)
  • Sanitary/phytosanitary certificate
• Declaration of materials:
  • Customs declaration form (electronic submission rate has reached 98%)
  • Agency agreement (must clearly define liability clauses)

What Are the New Changes in Import and Export Tax Declarations?

The three core procedures implemented by tax authorities in 2025:

• VAT declaration:
  • Export tax refundPaperless declaration coverage has reached 100%
  • Cross-border e-commerce B2B direct exports can enjoy verified collection
• Tariff payment:
  • Summary taxation guarantee limits can be recycled
  • RCEP agreement tariff automatic application system is now online
• Transfer pricing filing:
  • Special reports are required for related-party transactions exceeding 5 million
  • Cross-border service fee payments require contemporaneous documentation

What Procedures Should Be Noted for Agency Special Goods?

According to the new 2025 regulations from the State Administration for Market Regulation:

• Medical Devices: Import registration certificates/filing certificates must be obtained (validity period shortened to 3 years)
• 28. Food category: Overseas manufacturer registration + Chinese label filing (electronic label pilot expanded)
• Dangerous Chemicals: GHS labels and safety data sheets (SDS) must be provided
• Cultural products: Imported audiovisual products require approval from the Ministry of Culture (review period extended to 20 working days)

How to Verify the Compliance of an Agency Company?

Advise clients to verify through the following methods:

• Qualification inquiry:
  • Check certification status on the Customs Enterprise Credit Information Publicity Platform
  • Verify tax rebate qualifications on the State Taxation Administration official website
• Business capability validation:
  • Request data on customs clearance error rates for the past three years
  • Verify AEO certification level (Advanced certified enterprises enjoy 50% faster clearance)
• Risk Control:
  • Confirm whether international freight liability insurance is purchased
  • Check if a trade compliance review mechanism has been established