What core clauses must an agency export agreement contain?

According to international trade practices, a compliant agency export agreement should include the following7 core elements:

• The legal full names and registration information of the principal and the trustee
• Goods description (product name, HS code, specification parameters)
• Price terms (international trade terms such as FOB/CIF)
• Settlement method and exchange rate locking mechanism
• Quality dispute handling process
• Intellectual Property Guarantee Clause
• Force majeure and breach of contract handling clauses

How to verify the export qualification of an agency company?

The latest verification process in 2025 is recommended to be operated in three steps:

• Basic qualification verification:
  • Recorded with the Ministry of Commerceimport and exportEnterprises need to have legal import and export qualifications, including:
  • AEO certification status of the customs (verifiable through the official website of the General Administration of Customs)
• Industry qualification review:
  • Export license for specific commodity categories (such asMedical EquipmentRequires CFDA certification)
  • Qualification for international trade financial services
• Verification of practical operation ability:
  • Requires the provision of the latest 12 monthsExport ClearanceSingle sample (needs to be desensitized)
  • Inspect the credit certificate issued by the bank

How to avoid hidden charges in the agency export cost structure?

It is recommended to adoptItemized pricing mode, focusing on:

• Basic service fee (customs declaration, document preparation, etc.)
• Logistics surcharge (including possible demurrage fees at the port of destination)
• Foreign exchange settlement handling fee (clarify the foreign exchange conversion time point and exchange rate standard)
• Tax refund service fee (distinguish between the tax refund advance payment and the tax refund after receipt mode)

Typical cases in 2025 show that disputes over port of destination fees not clearly agreed upon account for 37%. It is recommended to attach in the agreement appendixExpense Details.

What risks should be noted in cross - border payment terms?

Professional agencies can effectively prevent and control three core risks:3 types of risk prevention:

• Exchange rate fluctuation risk: It is recommended to agree on a T+1 exchange rate locking mechanism
• Fund Security Risks: Require the agent to provide a jointly managed bank account
• Record - filing of Foreign Trade Operators: Ensure that the payment collection path complies with the latest requirements of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange

New regulations of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange in 2025 require that cross - border payments exceeding $50,000 must be made throughThe bank electronic declaration systemCompleted.

How to ensureExport DrawbackThat rights and interests are not damaged?

It is recommended to clarify in the agreementThe tax refund ownership clause:

• Agree on the time limit for the tax refund to be credited (usually not exceeding 30 working days)
• Clarify the calculation basis for tax refunds (based on the actual declared value for customs)
• Specify the process for handing over bills (both parties need to sign and confirm)

According to the data of the State Taxation Administration in 2024, the proportion of tax refund delays caused by non - standard bill handover reached 21%. It is recommended to adoptthe blockchain electronic bill system.

How does the agreement provide protection when a trade dispute occurs?

An effective dispute resolution clause should include:

• Agree on the applicable law (it is recommended to choose the rules of the China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission)
• Clarify the arbitration location (give priority to the Shanghai International Arbitration Center)
• Specify the evidence preservation mechanism (it is recommended to adopt third - party cloud evidence storage)

The revised version of the United Nations Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods that came into effect in 2025 has added rules for the admissibility of electronic evidence, which needs to be specially agreed upon in the agreement.

What should be the agreed duration of the agreements validity?

Recommended selection based onBusiness typeFlexible settings:

• Single - ticket business: The completion of customs clearance of goods is the termination condition
• Long - term cooperation: It is recommended to have a 1 - year term + automatic renewal clause
• Major projects: Synchronize with the project cycle (a mid - term review mechanism needs to be set up)

According to our survey of 500foreign tradeenterprises, the adoption ofdynamic term clauseshas reduced the incidence of enterprise disputes by 42%.

What filing procedures need to be handled after the agreement is signed?

The latest filing requirements in 2025 include:

• Submit a copy of the agreement to the competent customs (electronic filing system)
• Service trade filing with the State Administration of Foreign Exchange (to be completed within 15 days after signing)
• Update of export tax refund (exemption) filing with the tax department

It is recommended to entrust a professional customs broker to handle the filing procedures, which can save an average of 60% of the handling time.