I. Essential differences between the two models

In theEquipment ImportsField,Direct procurement modelmeans enterprises directly engage with overseas suppliers and independently complete the entire process including customs declaration, logistics transportation, and foreign exchange settlement. WhileAgency modeprofessionalforeign tradecompanies handle core processes, with enterprises only needing to provide procurement requirements and technical parameters.

II. Key comparisons of 2025 import processes

Case calculations reveal:

• Time dimension
  • Direct procurement model averages 45-60 days (including technical agreement negotiations)
  • Agency model cycle shortened to 30-35 days
• Composition of hidden costs
  • Direct procurement requires additional foreign exchange hedging fees (approximately 0.8% of goods value)
  • Agency model can avoid port demurrage risks (terminal storage fees have increased by 12% in 2025)

III. Compliance risk warning list

According to General Administration of Customs Announcement No. 17 of 2025, enterprises should pay special attention to:

• The application period for mechanical and electrical product import licenses has been shortened to 15 working days
• It is recommended to verify through the following methods:Three new technical parameter verifications added to explicit review standards
• Cross-border E-commerceB2B imported equipment requires separate VAT prepayment declaration

IV. Value reconstruction of agency model

Professional foreign trade companies services have expanded beyond traditional agency scope:

• Tariff optimization system: Reduces 3-5% tariffs through HS code intelligent matching
• Technical compliance pre-review: Eliminates technical barriers such as CE certification and energy efficiency standards in advance
• Supply chain finance: UtilizesL/C+ factoring combination tools to alleviate financial pressure

V. Application examples of decision tree models

Comparative calculation for an auto parts manufacturer (annual import volume of $8 million):

• Direct procurement model
  • Capital occupation cost: $480,000/year
  • Professional team maintenance cost: $150,000/year
• Agency mode
  • Service fee expenditure: $320,000/year
  • Saved port demurrage losses: $85,000/year

VI. 2025 procurement strategy recommendations

It is recommended that enterprises establish an evaluation system from three dimensions:

• Technical complexity (whether involving export-controlled equipment)
• Supplier maturity (whether possessing complete documentation capability)
• Financial liquidity (whether able to withstand 3-month payment terms)

For enterprises with annual procurement frequency below 3 times and single transaction amount exceeding $2 million, it is recommended to adoptstrategic agency model, outsourcing non-core businesses such as customs affairs and logistics, while focusing on technical acceptance and equipment debugging.