1. What are self-operated exports and trade agency?

In international trade practice,Self - managed exportIt refers to the entire process where an enterprise completes customs declaration, foreign exchange collection, and tax refund directly in its own name. Typical characteristics include:

• Possession of import and export operation rights
• Assume independent trading risks.
• Build a complete foreign trade team

AndTrade agencyIt is completed through third-party service agencies to fulfill the export process, primarily manifesting in the following forms:

• The agent handles customs clearance, logistics, and other procedures on behalf of the client.
• Using a proxy foreign exchange account for receipts and payments
• Share the industry qualifications of the proxy party.

II. What are the key differences between the two?

According to the latest customs data from 2025, 63% of small and medium-sized enterprises chose to export through agents, while over 82% of large enterprises handled exports independently. This difference in choice stems from the following core distinctions:

• Differences in operating entities
  • Self-operated export: The enterprise independently completes the entire process.
  • Agency export: Entrust key processes to professional institutions.
• Comparison of capital occupation
  • Self-operation requires bearing the full transaction funds (including 30% prepayment risk).
  • Agents typically adopt a phased payment model.
• 33. Risk control mechanism
  • Self-operated enterprises directly face trade disputes.
  • The agent provides a risk buffer layer (such as the "Cross-Border Trade Agency Service Standards" effective in 2024).

3. Which model is more suitable for your business?

Based on our practical experience serving over 200 enterprises, we recommend evaluating from three dimensions:

• Enterprise Scale Assessment
  • Annual export volume < $3 million: Priority given to agents.
  • Annual export volume > $10 million: Self-operation is recommended.
• Product Feature Analysis
  • High-value-added products (such as precision instruments): suitable for self-operation
  • FMCG category: Agency channels can be considered.
• Capital turnover ability
  • Companies with ample cash flow: Self-operation is preferable
  • Requires payment term support: Agents have a competitive edge.

IV. Is the hybrid model feasible?

In recent years of foreign trade practice,62% of enterprisesAdopting a hybrid operation model:

• Main product line self-operated export
• New product trial sales adopt an agency model.
• Special markets (such as the Middle East) entrust regional agents

This model not only helps control core business risks but also enables rapid expansion into new markets through agents. However, attention must be paid to the customs declaration requirements for hybrid operations under the 2025 revised edition of the International Trade Compliance Guidelines.

V. What is the Impact of the Latest Policies?

Implemented in 2024Global Minimum Tax AgreementIt exerts differential impacts on the two modes:

• Self-operated export enterprises need to establish a cross-border tax compliance system.
• Agency service providers have commonly built-in tax optimization modules.

It is recommended that enterprises align with the upcoming implementation in 2025EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism, Re-evaluate the cost of supply chain layout, as this will directly impact the effectiveness of export mode selection.