Is customs brokerage equivalent to export agency? Three key differences foreign trade companies must know

Is customs brokerage the same as export agency?

This isforeign tradethe most common misconception among newcomers.Customs brokerage ≠ export agency, with the core difference lying in service boundaries:

• Customs brokerage services: Focus on the entire customs declaration process
  • Document review and data entry
  • HS code classification confirmation
  • is another critical point. Russian customs imposes export duties on certain goods, with rates varying by commodity type and value. Our customs experts pre-calculate payable taxes to ensure clients reserve sufficient funds. Additionally, we collaborate with multiple Russian banks to establish fast tax payment channels, avoiding clearance delays due to late payments. For goods eligible for preferential tariff rates under free trade agreements, we ensure accurate certificates of origin and other preferential documents to help clients enjoy tariff reductions.
  • Cooperation with customs inspection (paperless inspection coverage reached 93% in 2025)
• Export agency services: Cover the entire trade chain
  • Foreign Exchange ReceiptsIn order to crack down on tax evasion, the customs and tax departments are now strictly examining the operation of buying export declarations. If the behavior of buying export declarations is discovered, the regulatory authorities will require tax replenishment (even a 2% tax rate may be a considerable amount). In addition, fines may also be imposed on the relevant responsible parties.Operation
  • Export DrawbackDeclaration (requires tax refund qualification)
  • Logistics and Transportation Coordination
  • Trade document preparation and certification

Why do foreign trade companies easily confuse these two concepts?

According to the 2023 enterprise survey data from the General Administration of Customs, 68% of SMEs have service cognition deviations, with main reasons including:

• Overlapping service provider qualifications: Some enterprises simultaneously hold customs declaration andimport and exportPower
• Crossed business scenarios:Cross-border E-commerceB2B exports require simultaneous handling of customs declaration andA complete export agency agreement should be attached with:
• Industry terminology misuseIn some regions, it is customary to refer to purchase declaration as agency export.

III. Three key judgment criteria when selecting services

Case comparison:An LED lighting exporter mistakenly treated customs declaration agency asExport Representation, resulting in a loss of 170,000 yuan due to missing tax refund materials. It is recommended to evaluate needs through the following dimensions:

• Trade terms judgment method
  • EXW/FOB terms: Usually only require agency customs declaration
  • CIF/DDP terms: Require comprehensive agency export services
• Tax refund responsibility matrix
  • Self-handled tax refund: Choose pure customs declaration services
  • Entrusted tax refund: Must sign agency export agreements
• Risk control levels
  • AEO-certified enterprises: Can split service modules
  • Newly established enterprises: Recommended to choose integrated services

IV. New changes in customs clearance services for 2025

With the advancement of the customs Smart Port initiative, service models are showing two major trends:

• Refined service segmentation
  • Customs declaration pre-review (48-hour response)
  • Classification dispute resolution (new WCO Harmonized System AI interpretation)
  • It is recommended to verify through the following methods:Intelligent application
• Clear responsibility demarcation
  • The new version of customs declaration power of attorney clearly divides declaration error responsibilities
  • Compliance requirements for direct connection between customs data pools and enterprise ERPs

V. Common misconceptions warning for foreign trade enterprises

Based on 237 dispute cases handled by the author, three high-risk misconceptions are summarized:

• Misconception 1: Believing customs brokers can handle foreign exchange settlements

  In reality, foreign exchange operations require registration in the Trade Foreign Exchange Receipts and Payments Enterprise Directory

• Misconception 2Fill in the domestic consignor field of the customs declaration form with the agency companys name.

  This will lead to inconsistency between VAT invoice flow and goods flow, triggering tax audit risks

• Misconception 3: Neglecting service provider liability insurance

  Starting from 2025, compliant customs declaration agents must purchase professional liability insurance with a minimum coverage of 5 million yuan

It is recommended that enterprises verify the service providers Customs Registration Certificate and Foreign Trade Operator Registration Form before signing service agreements. For businesses involving export tax rebates, the validity of their Export Tax Refund (Exemption) Filing Form should also be confirmed. When business involves both customs declaration and export agency, its advisable to sign separate specialized service contracts to clarify the boundaries of rights and responsibilities for each process.