How to choose a reliable supplierExport agentThe company?

When selecting an agency, the following key factors should be prioritized:

• Certification of Qualification：Priority given to AEO-certified enterprises by customs. Please refer to the "Agencycustoms clearanceService Registration Certificate
• Business scope: Confirm whether it includes the HS code regulatory requirements for your product (e.g., special qualifications are required for medical devices).
• Service networks: Are there branches established at major import and export ports? (By 2025, customs clearance integration in the Yangtze River Delta will cover 98% of goods.)
• Wind control system: Please provide compliance cases from the past three years, especially those involving experience in handling anti-dumping goods.

What specific processes are included in import and export agency services?

The standard service process is divided into three stages:

• Preliminary preparation
  • Commodity Classification and Pre-Valuation (Customs to Add 300 AI-Powered HS Codes in 2025)
  • Document Compliance Review (Special Attention to New Regulations on Certificates of Origin)
• Customs clearance operation
  • E-filing (The paperless clearance rate nationwide has reached 99.7% by 2025)
  • On-site inspection coordination (including customs inspection contingency plan)
• Follow-up management
  • Tax Review and Refund Processing
  • Customs documentsThree-year archiving service

What items are typically included in agency service fees?

The fee structure of a formal agency company should include:

• Basic Service Costs: Basic customs declaration and inspection operation fees (2025 industry average price: 500-800 RMB per bill)
• Additional service fee:
  • Expedited declaration (in case of urgent shipping schedule)
  • On-site inspection service (including emergency response during holidays)
• Advance payments: Customs fees, port miscellaneous charges, and other actual cost reimbursement items.

Be wary of low-price traps. A case study shows: A company quoted a price 30% below cost, then profited by falsely reporting storage fees, resulting in a client loss of 170,000 yuan.

How to handle unexpected issues during the import and export process?

Professional agencies should have emergency response mechanisms:

• Documentation issues: Complete the order replenishment within 1 hour (e.g., format adjustments for the 2025 new version of the ECFA certificate).
• Inspection anomalies: Provide full legal advisory support. For a tariff classification dispute involving an electronic product, the agency completed the administrative reconsideration within 3 working days.
• Logistics delays: Real-time integration with port data systems, providing 72-hour advance warning of congestion risks.

How to verify the actual capabilities of an agency company?

Recommended verification methods:

• Customs Data Verification: Check the ranking of enterprise customs declaration volume through the "China International Trade Single Window".
• On-site case inspection: Request to inspect customs declaration records of the same type of goods previously handled.
• System docking test: Test the compatibility of its customs declaration system with the newly launched "Smart Customs Declaration 2.0" platform by the General Administration of Customs.

What should be noted for the import and export of special commodities?

Taking the key regulated commodities in 2025 as an example:

• Lithium battery: UN38.3 test report + hazardous materials transportation qualification required
• 28. Food category: The scope of the overseas manufacturer registration system has been expanded to cover 28 categories of products.
• Smart devices: Additional data security declaration and filing requirements (in accordance with the "Digital Economy Import and Export Management Measures")

What clauses should be noted when signing an agency agreement?

Key clauses that must be clearly defined include:

• Division of responsibilities: Clarify the attribution of responsibility for declaration errors and the compensation standards
• Timeliness Guarantee: Specify the service time limits for each stage and the calculation method for liquidated damages.
• Fee adjustment: Establish a fee adjustment mechanism in case of policy changes (e.g., customs inspection rate increases to 8.7% in 2025).

It is recommended to refer to the 2025 version of the standard contract template from the China Customs Brokers Association to avoid using unfair self-made clauses by agency companies.