What International Trade Challenges Can an Export Agency Company Help Me Solve? These 8 Questions Explain It All!

What isExport RepresentationCompany? Andforeign tradeWhat is the difference between companies?

An export agency company is a third - party institution that professionally providescross - border trade services. The core difference lies in that itdoes not own the ownership of the goods. Different from foreign trade companies that engage in self - export, agency companies charge commissions through the following services:

• Handle a full set of export documents (customs declaration forms,It is recommended to verify through the following methods:Damage during transportation
• Coordinate logistics transportation (Maritime Transportation/Air Transportationbooking space, insurance handling)
• Manage foreign exchange receipt and payment and tax refund declaration
• Provide trade compliance consulting services

What specific service items does export agency include?

Professional agency companies usually provideFull - chain service package:

• Basic services
  • Customs declaration and inspection (95% of customs declarations were electronic in 2025)
  • Transportation coordination (including special logistics such as dangerous goods/cold chain)
• Value - added Services
  • Trade financing (L/Cpacking loans, etc.)
  • Overseas warehouse inventory management
  • Assistance in customs clearance in the destination country

Why should small and medium - sized enterprises choose export agency?

According to the data of the General Administration of Customs in 2024, small and medium - sized enterprises using agency servicesThe average export customs clearance time has been increased by 40%.. The main value is reflected in:

• Save the cost of building an in - house foreign trade team (reduce labor expenditure by approximately 60%).
• Avoid port detention fines caused by document errors
• Share the advantageous logistics channels of the agency company
• Obtain the latest interpretation of trade policies in a timely manner

How to evaluate the professionalism of an export agency company?

It is recommended to examine from four dimensions:

• Industry experience: Whether it has handled the export of similar products (for example, experience in handling dangerous package certificates is required for chemicals)
• : Customs AEO certification, Class A foreign exchange management enterprises: Check the customs AEO certification, international freight forwarding qualification (FIATA)
• Service networkAre there offices at key ports (such as Shanghai Port and Rotterdam Port)?
• Response speedIt is required to provide the customs clearance timeliness data for the last three months.

What is the cost structure of export agency?

Typical charging models include:

• Basic service fee: Charged per ticket (200 - 800 yuan/ticket).
• Commission rate: 0.5% - 3% of the export amount (depending on the value of goods and service complexity).
• Advance payment interest: If it is necessary to advance freight/tax (refer to LPR interest rate with a 10% - 30% increase).

Will the agency model weaken my control over the transaction?

A standardized cooperation agreement will clarifyThe boundaries of rights and responsibilities:

• The client retains core rights such as the pricing right and the client selection right
• The agent only performs operations within the scope of the entrustment
• Achieve real - time process tracking through the ERP system (by 2025, mainstream systems already support blockchain evidence storage).

What legal risks should be noted when choosing an agency company?

Three points need to be paid special attention to:

• Confirm that the agency agreement includesThe fault recovery clause
• Check whether the company has records of customs administrative penalties (which can be queried through the “China Customs Enterprise Credit Publicity System”)import and exportThe industry is showing three major development directions:
• Require the provision of a professional liability insurance certificate (the insured amount is recommended to be no less than 5 million yuan).

What are the new trends in the export agency industry in 2025?

Member states of RCEP have realized automatic bill examination for certificates of origin

• Digital transformationGreen trade services
• Newly added carbon footprint certification and green tariff optimization servicesRegional layout
• What international trade problems can an export agency company help me solve? These 8 questions explain it thoroughly!: The demand for agency services in Southeast Asia has increased by 37% year - on - year (according to the data of the 2025一季度 Council for the Promotion of International Trade).