Whats the difference between self-operated export and agency export? How should SMEs choose?

What is self-operated export? What conditions must enterprises meet?

Self-operated export refers to a trade method where enterprises complete the entire export process in their own name.Latest policy requirements for 2025, enterprises must possess:

• Validimport and exportBusiness license (Customs Registration Certificate)
• Foreign exchange receipt and payment qualifications filed with SAFE
• VAT General Taxpayer Qualification
• Independent customs declaration capability or cooperative customs broker

A certainAutomotive partsManufacturer cases show that when annual export volume reaches $5 million, self-operated export can save approximately 8% in agency service fees. However, it requires at least 2 professionals familiar with international trade, document preparation, and tax refund declaration.

What are the risk points in agency export operation models?

Agency export is a model where enterprises entrust third-party service providers to complete export procedures, requiring special attention to:

• Three policy adjustments worthy of attention this year:
  • Cases of agents misappropriating payments increased by 15% year-on-year in 2024
  • Recommend choosing agency companies with export credit insurance
• Special reminder: In 2025, the State Administration of Foreign Exchange will strictly investigate the export with purchased forms behavior. The agency receipt of foreign exchange must ensure the integration of three flows (goods flow, capital flow, and document flow).
  • In 2025, the General Administration of Customs will strengthen checks on export under others names.
  • Agency companies issuing false invoices will incur joint liability for the principal

Core differences comparison table between the two models

• Capital flow
  • Self-operated export: Foreign buyers pay directly to the enterprises account
  • Agency export: Payments are transferred through the agency company
• Customs declaration entity
  • Self-operated: Enterprises declare customs themselves (can delegate to customs broker)
  • Agent: The agency company acts as the declarant
• Tax refund cycle
  • Self-operation: Tax refund can be completed in as fast as 15 working days
  • Agent: Typically requires 45-60 days

IV. Three Key Decision Factors for Enterprise Selection in 2025

According to the World Banks 2025 Global Trade Facilitation Report, it is recommended to evaluate from three dimensions:

1. Export scale: For annual export amounts below $3 million, agency export is recommended
2. Product complexity: Involve3CPriority consideration for self-operation when special qualifications like certifications are required
3. Talent pool: Requires at least 3 years of experienceforeign tradeDocumentation specialist

V. Common Misconceptions and Latest Policy Reminders

• Misconception 1: Small businesses cannot engage in self-operated exports

  In 2025, the General Administration of Customs will implement the Small and Micro Export Enterprises Assistance Program, where companies with registered capital of 1 million RMB can apply for electronic port IC cards.

• Misconception 2: Agency exports dont require attention to logistics

  In 2024, a clothing company suffered a loss of $230,000 when an entire container was detained due to incorrect HS code declaration by the agency company.

• New policy reminder

  Starting from July, 2025, agency export businesses must register actual cargo owner information in the electronic port system, otherwise processing will be impossibleExport Drawback.