I. FoodExport agentWhat are the core functions to be assumed?

As a professional bridge connecting manufacturers and overseas markets, food export agents mainly assume the following core functions:

• Compliance Certification Management: Handle certification applications such as HACCP, ISO22000, and Halal in the target market
• Full - process Logistics Coordination: Design temperature - controlled logistics solutions from cold - chain transportation to port - of - destination customs clearance
• Document System Construction: Produce commercial invoices, health certificates, certificates of origin, etc. that meet international standards
• Tariff Optimization Services: Use FTA rules for tariff planning, such as the certificate of origin under the RCEP agreement

II. Why is a professional food export agency needed?

After the EU implemented the new amendment to the General Food Law in 2025, a certain condiment enterprise in China encountered a full - container return due to failure to update label information in a timely manner, with a direct loss of up to $120,000. The value of professional agents is reflected in:

• Risk Early Warning System: Monitor changes in food regulations in 87 countries/regions around the world in real - time
• Crisis Response Mechanism: Establish an overseas emergency customs - clearance network to handle sudden cargo - detention incidents
• Cost Control Model: Achieve an average 18% reduction in tariff costs through accurate classification using HS CODE

III. How to judge the professional qualifications of an agency company?

According to the Import and Export Agency Service Specifications newly issued by the General Administration of Customs in 2025, high - quality agents should possess:

• : Import and export rights filed with the Ministry of Commerce, AEO certification of the customs, and registration with the State Administration of Foreign Exchange
  • 39. Customs AEO advanced certified enterprise
  • 9. Entry and exitInspection of vaccinesRegistration Certificate
• Industry Certification
  • FIATA International Freight Forwarding Qualification
  • Membership in the WCA Global Logistics Alliance

IV. What common traps need to be avoided in food exports?

In 2024, due to negligence, a certain freeze - dried food enterprise caused:

• The use of non - FDA - certified packaging materials led to detention by the US FDA
• Failure to declare the food additive code resulted in a fine of $35,000
• Microbial over - standard due to transportation temperature - control deviation led to the destruction of the entire batch

Professional agents can avoid more than 90% of common risks throughThe Triple Verification Mechanism(production traceability verification, document logic verification, emergency plan rehearsal).

V. What specific items are included in the agency service fees?

Standard service quotation should include:

• Basic Service Costs: Document preparation, customs declaration and inspection, logistics booking
• Value Added Services: Certification agency, tariff guarantee, quality traceback
• Risk reserve fund: Reserve an unforeseen expense accounting for 3 - 5% of the total cost

According to the data of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade in 2025, professional agents can reduce the comprehensive operating costs of enterprises by 23%.

VI. How to evaluate the practical ability of agents?

It is recommended to evaluate from three dimensions:

• Require the provision of export records of similar equipment in the past three years, and focus on examining the operational experience in sub - fields such as baking machinery and sterilization equipment.Requirement: Provide no less than 5 export cases of food in the same category.
• System connectivity capacityCheck the data interoperability between its ERP system and the single window of the customs.
• Emergency plan demonstrationSimulate response plans for scenarios such as sudden epidemic control and port strikes.

A large dairy enterprise passedFull - process sand table deductionBy screening agents, the customs clearance time was successfully compressed to 68% of the industry average level.