Should one choose a customs broker or a trading company for exports? The latest agency selection guide in 2025

I.Export RepresentationWhat are the main types?

According to the latest 2025 International Trade Service Classification Standards, export agency services can be divided into four categories:

• Basic customs clearance agency: Only handles basic procedures such as customs declaration and inspection
• Full-process logistics agency: Includes supply chain services such as booking, transportation, and insurance
  • Typical case: Door-to-door solutions provided by DHL Supply Chain
• foreign tradeComprehensive services: CoversA complete export agency agreement should be attached with:In 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.financial services such as tax rebate declaration
• Customized supply chain management: Provides in-depth services like VMI inventory management for specific industries

II. How to judge the actual service capabilities of an agency company?

It is recommended to verify from the following four dimensions:

• Compliance qualifications:
  • Customs AEO certified enterprises (new digital customs declaration certification added in 2025)
  • Enterprises listed in the Foreign Exchange Administration Directory
• Service network: Whether self-operated offices are established in major ports
• Risk Response Mechanism: Whether it has a real-time tracking online operating system
• : Document review process, historical data of error rates: Whether a complete document review process has been established

What hidden costs are included in the agency fees?

In 2025, agency service fees show three new trends:

• Diversified billing models: Per-shipment fees, percentage-of-value charges, and annual service fees coexist
• Explicit compliance costs: New fee items have emerged for EU CBAM carbon tariff declarations
• Widespread technology surcharges: Digital services such as electronicIt is recommended to verify through the following methods:are billed separately

A case study of a garment export enterprise shows that hidden costs can account for 23% of total expenditure, mainly arising from:

• Shared costs for customs inspection and port demurrage fees
• Expedited certificate processing fee
• Exchange rate fluctuation compensation

IV. How to prevent legal risks in agency cooperation?

According to the International Trade Agency Service Management Measures implemented in 2025, the following measures are recommended:

• Contract termsMust clarify:
  • Document custody responsibility attribution
  • Compensation standards for违规操作
• Deposit system: Require the agent to pay a risk deposit of 5%-10% of the contract amount
• : Require the agent to purchase liability insurance of at least 5 million yuan: Confirm the coverage scope of the professional liability insurance purchased by the agent

What are the three common misconceptions when selecting an agent?

Based on 20 years of agency dispute handling experience, high-frequency cognitive biases are summarized:

• Misconception 1: Blind pursuit of low-price services
  • A machinery exporter chose an ultra-low-price agent, resulting in a $200,000 container being detained by customs
• Misconception 2: Over-reliance on all-inclusive promises
  • The actual service scope often does not include key links such as destination port customs clearance
• Misconception 3: Neglect of service response speed
  • During peak seasons, processing time differences can exceed 72 hours