What practical problems can agency export help me solve? 12 Q&A for Foreign Trade Enterprises in 2025

What core problems can export agency actually help me solve?

Export agency services mainly address three core needs:Risk transfer,Professional supportandRisk control21.. According to the data in the 2024 white paper of the General Administration of Customsforeign trade78% of small and medium - sized enterprises lackimport and exportEntrust the export to an agent with import and export rights or a professional team. Specifically, it includes:

• Customs clearance solutions for enterprises without import and export rights
• Export DrawbackFull - process agency (the tax refund process has been fully digitized in 2025)
• International LogisticsScheme design and implementation
• Review of trade document compliance

What key indicators should be noted when choosing an export agent company?

It is recommended to evaluate the professional capabilities of the agent company from three dimensions:

• Qualification system:
  • Customs AEO Advanced Certification (the 2025 certification standard adds digital customs requirements)
  • Qualification of enterprises listed in the Foreign Exchange Administration
• Service network:
  • Localized team configuration at major ports
  • Capacity of guaranteed shipping space of cooperative shipping companies
• : Document review process, historical data of error rates:
  • Trade compliance review mechanism
  • Response plan for exchange rate fluctuations

What hidden costs of export agency need to be noted?

In addition to the agency service fee, the following potential costs need to be noted especially:

• Port surcharge (in 2025, major global ports will implement carbon emission surcharges)
• Document certification fees (such as embassy certification, chamber of commerce certification)
• Abnormal situation handling fees (such as customs inspection, bill amendment fees)
• Capital occupation cost (payment cycle affects cash flow)

A case of a bathroom export enterprise shows that a professional agency company reduced the annual logistics cost by 17.3% by optimizing the trade terms (from EXW to FOB).

What are the impacts of the new policy in 2025 on agency export?

Focus on three major policy changes:

• Customs digital reform: Comprehensively implement the intelligent customs declaration system, requiring agency companies to have API docking capabilities
• Green trade termsThe EU CBAM carbon tariff has entered the implementation stage, and a carbon footprint statement needs to be added to export documents.
• New foreign exchange management policies: Expand the cross - border RMB settlement pilot to 72 countries

It is recommended to choose an agency company equipped with a professional customs affairs system (such as the new H2018 system) and an ESG service team.

How to avoid common legal risks in export agency?

A triple risk prevention mechanism needs to be established:

• Contract risksClearly stipulate the liability division clause, especially the ownership of intellectual property rights.
• Payment risksIt is recommended to use an Escrow account for fund supervision.
• Record - filing of Foreign Trade OperatorsRegularly check the customs credit rating of the agent company.

A machinery export enterprise had goods worth $1.2 million detained by the US Customs due to the failure of its agency company to update the ECCN code in a timely manner, highlighting the importance of professional compliance review.

Can export agency really enhance my international competitiveness?

Professional agency services can bring three major competitiveness enhancements:

• Reduce logistics costs through economies of scale (with an average reduction of 12 - 18%)
• Shorten customs clearance time by using a professional team (the average customs clearance time in 2025 has been compressed to 28 minutes)
• Obtain high - quality shipping space and bargaining power by leveraging industry resources

A certainCross-border E-commerceThe enterprise, through the overseas warehouse network of its agency company, has shortened the delivery time in the European market from 15 days to 3 days.