Do I need to find an agency company to export small bowls and dishes?

According to the latest 2025 data from the General Administration of Customs,76% of daily-use ceramic export enterprises opt for professional agency services.Although the law allows enterprises to declare customs independently, the export of small bowls and dishes involves:

• Accurate HS code classification (especially distinguishing between bone china/ironstone china/ordinary ceramics)
• FDA Food Contact Material Certification (with additional heavy metal migration testing added in 2025)
• Verification of Anti-Dumping Duties in the Destination Country (e.g., the EU still maintains a 17.6% tariff on Chinese ceramic tableware)

We have handled cases where a company's misdeclaration of "decorative porcelain plates" resulted in the entire container being detained at the port. Professional agents can effectively mitigate such risks.

What qualifications should be considered when selecting an agency company?

A legitimate agency company must possess:

• Customs AEO Advanced Certification (with new cross-border e-commerce special certification added from 2025)
• International freight agent qualification (FIATA membership priority)
• Practical experience in specific categories (annual handling volume of ceramic products exceeding 500 TEUs).

It is recommended to require agency companies to provide:

• Copy of the customs declaration form for the same product category in the last 3 months (with commercial confidentiality information redacted).
• List of Overseas Customs Clearance Cooperation Outlets
• Crisis Management Case Database (especially ceramic damage claim cases)

Export agentWhat specific processes are included?

The standard service process is divided into 7 stages:

• Product Pre-review
  • Material Inspection Report Verification
  • Packaging shock resistance performance test
• Confirmation of Trade Terms
  • Comparison of FOB/CIF/DDP Solutions
• Logistics plan design
  • Optimization of container loading capacity (standard 20GP can hold 2,600 dozen 6-inch bowls).
  • Moisture-proof and shockproof special treatment

How to calculate the total cost of proxy services?

2025 Standard Quotation Structure:

• Basic service fee: 1.2%-2.5% of the cargo value (including inspection fee and documentation fee)
• Value Added Services:
  • Destination Port Pre-Review Fee: USD150/shipment
  • Customized Inspection Report: USD80 per batch
• Risk Reserve: 0.5% of the cargo value (for contingencies such as sudden tariff adjustments)

How to respond to customs inspections?

Key Customs Inspection Focus Areas for 2025:

• Excessive lead and cadmium leaching (New National Standard GB 4806.4-2025)
• The origin marking is non-compliant (must be permanently labeled "MADE IN CHINA").
• Reasonableness of declared price (refer to the monthly guidance price issued by the China Ceramic Industry Association)

Recommended advance preparations:

• Third-party laboratory test report (dual certification of CNAS and ILAC)
• Production process video documentation
• Raw material procurement voucher