How to choose a legally qualifiedExport AgencyA professional agency company should have the following characteristics:

According to the latest revised "International Freight Forwarding Management Regulations" in 2025, qualified agency companies must possess the following:

• Recorded with the Ministry of CommerceImport and exportEnterprises need to have legal import and export qualifications, including:
• Customs AEO certification qualification (preferably select an advanced certified enterprise)
• The foreign exchange payment and receipt qualification issued by the State Administration of Foreign Exchange.
• Special Commodity Agency Qualification (e.g.Medical DevicesRequiring FDA filing)

Verification Method: Request the other party to provide the Unified Social Credit Code and verify it online through the "China Customs Enterprise Import and Export Credit Information Publicity Platform." It is recommended to refer to a certain medical case in 2023.Equipment ExportDispute case: The company had an entire batch of goods detained by EU customs due to the agency's lack of medical device filing.

What hidden costs are included in export agency fees?

Industry data from 2025 shows that 78% of companies encountered hidden fees during their first outsourcing commission, primarily including:

• Document Processing Fee (RMB 200-800 per order)
• Expedited customs clearance fee (3-5 times the normal customs clearance fee)
• Exchange rate difference loss (it is recommended to opt for the exchange rate locking service)
• Abnormal situation handling fee (such as storage fees incurred from customs inspection)

Typical Case: A garment exporter failed to clearly specify amendment fees in the contract. Due to the freight forwarder's operational errors, 12 amendments to the shipping manifest were required, resulting in an additional cost of 23,000 yuan. It is recommended to include a "lump-sum fee clause" in the contract.

What are the legal risks involved in entrusted agency export?

According to the Supreme People's Court's announcement on cases involving... in 2024,Foreign tradeBig Data of Dispute Prone Cases, with the main risk points including:

• The agency embezzled funds.Tax Refundfunds
• Incorrect commodity classification leading to customs administrative penalties
• Unauthorized use of buyer's credit line
• Joint and Several Liability for Intellectual Property Infringement

Preventive Measures: Require the agent to purchase professional liability insurance (recommended coverage not less than RMB 5 million) and stipulate error compensation clauses in the contract. In a 2023 case involving the export of lighting fixtures, incorrect HS code declaration by the agent resulted in the company being required to pay back taxes and fines totaling RMB 870,000.

What additional services are required for the export of special goods?

2025E-commerceUnder the new regulatory policies, special attention should be paid to the following three categories of goods:

• It means that an enterprise entrusts the export business of lithium - ion battery products to a professional agency company, and the agency company is responsible for handling a series of businesses such as export procedures, logistics transportation, customs declaration, and inspection. Choosing a suitable export agency company can help enterprises save time and costs, improve export efficiency, and reduce risks.: UN38.3 Test Report + Dangerous Goods Transport Filing
• Food category: Health certificate of the destination country + Origin traceability system
• : MSDS Safety Data Sheet, Dangerous Goods Transportation Appraisal Report: MSDS Safety Data Sheet + GHS Label Service

It is recommended to choose a comprehensive service provider with hazardous chemical transportation qualifications. In 2024, a new materials company had lithium batteries worth 2.6 million yuan stranded at the port for 45 days due to the agency's lack of hazardous material storage facilities.

How to monitor the operational processes of an agency?

Establish a triple monitoring mechanism:

• Electronic Port Real-Time Customs Declaration Progress Inquiry
• Request to authorize agent access to the ERP system for data synchronization.
• Monthly Third-Party Logistics Audit (cost approximately 0.5% of the contract amount)

An automotive parts manufacturer obtains real-time data through an API interface.Ocean shippingBill of lading information successfully prevented a freight forwarder from unilaterally changing the discharge port in September 2024, avoiding a loss of $1.2 million.