Whats the Difference Between Agency Export and Self-Operated Export?

The essence of agency export isa professional division of labor model, where enterprises delegate specialized tasks such as customs declaration, logistics, and foreign exchange verification to agency companies with AEO certification. Compared with self-operated export, the main differences are reflected in:

• Qualification requirements: The agency provides a full set ofimport and exportand qualification certificates
• financial pressure: Advanced by the agency companyExport Drawbackfunds
• Risk bearing: Transfer of professional responsibilities such as document review and trade compliance
• operating costs: Savings on full-time labor costs such as document clerks and customs declarants

Is It Necessary for Small and Micro Enterprises to Use Export Agency Services?

According to China Customs latest 2025 data, enterprises with annual export volumes below $2 million can reduce37% of comprehensive costsby choosing agency export. The following three types of enterprises are especially recommended to consider it first:

• Startups with fewer than 6 export transactions per year
• Manufacturers whose products involvecomplex HS code classificationManufacturer
• Traders targeting markets with special certification requirements (such as EU CE certification)

How to prevent trade risks in export agency services?

Professional agency companies implementQuadruple risk control mechanismsTo ensure transaction security:

• Document Review: Automatic validation of 2025 new version customs electronic declaration forms
• credit insurance: Integrated Sinosure buyer credit investigation system
• : Ensuring that trade activities comply with the technical standards and trade agreements of the target country: Real-time monitoring of OFAC and other international sanctions lists
• Legal Support: Intervention by professional cross-border dispute legal teams

Are export agency services really cost-effective?

Taking standard containers in 2025for containers exported to the USas an example, self-operated export comprehensive costs include:

• Customs declaration fee: ￥800/shipment
• Documentation fee: ￥1500/set
• Foreign exchange verification: ￥2000/month
• Tax rebate capital occupation cost: ￥4500 (based on 3-month turnover period)

Agency service package price approximately ￥6800/container, directly saving32% of administrative costs, without bearing unexpected expenses like demurrage fees or amendment charges.

How to choose a reliable export agency company?

Recommended evaluation using theSTEP screening method:

• Qualification verification:
  • Enterprises with AEO advanced certification by the customs
  • State Administration of Foreign Exchange Class A Enterprise Qualification
• : Whether it supports direct connection and declaration with the Electronic Tax Bureau: Supports ERP data direct connection
• Service network: Maintains in-house customs clearance teams at major ports
• Financial strength: Registered capital not less than ￥50 million

Will export agency affect customer relationships?

Standardized operations can achieveZero leakage of commercial information:

• The shipper field on the bill of lading can display the manufacturers letterhead
• The agency company signs a confidentiality agreement (NDA)
• Adopt a tripartite trade model to handle sensitive orders
• Separate settlement of capital flow and goods flow

Can special products be exported through an agent?

Pay attention to the special requirements for the following three categories of products:

• Hazardous chemicals category: The agent must have professional MSDS handling capabilities
• Food category: Need to cooperate in completing FDA pre-declaration
• High tax rebate rate products: Require the agent company to have tax planning capabilities

How will the new 2025 export tax rebate policy affect agency services?

Implemented by the Ministry of Finance January, 2025Tax rebate digitalization 2.0The policy brings two major changes:

• Tax rebate cycle shortened from 45 days to 20 working days
• Newly addedCross-border E-commerceB2B direct tax rebate channel

Professional agency companies can reduce tax rebate document preparation time by 60% through the pre-review system and achieve T+1 tax rebate payment.

Actual case: How did agency export save an order?

An LED lighting factory March, 2025 received a German order for 100,000 pieces, facing:

• CE certification about to expire
• Customer requires DDP terms
• Only 35 days remaining for delivery

The agency company through:

• Emergency arrangement for TUV certification renewal
• AllocatedChina-Europe Railway ExpressPriority shipping space
• Completed EU VAT tax filing in advance

Finally delivered on time and saved €12,000 in late payment risks, successfully maintaining customer relations.