
How to verify aExport agentWhat are the company's legal qualifications?
When selecting an agency, the primary verification is:Three Certificates and One Code:
- Customscustoms clearanceUnit Registration Certificate (valid until 2025)
- AEO-certified enterprise qualification (divided into general certification and advanced certification)
- Foreign Exchange Administration records
- Unified Social Credit Identifier (verified through the National Enterprise Credit Information Publicity System)
It is recommended to request the other party to provide the records for the past three years.Certificate of No Violation Record, and verify whether its electronic port operation card is functioning properly. Starting from 2025, new regulations require agency companies to employ customs specialists registered with the customs authorities.
How to determine if the service scope aligns with business needs?
Key areas for assessmentFour-dimensional matching degree:
- Industry Experience: Professional differentiation across various sectors such as bulk commodities, precision instruments, and cross-border e-commerce.
- Customs clearance capability: Experience in operating special supervision zones (such as comprehensive bonded zones).
- Logistics network: Does it cover multimodal transport solutions for the target market?
- Value-added services: including pre-classification, origin certification,Export tax refundProfessional modules such as
How to evaluate the compliance management capabilities of an agency company?
Requested ProvisionThree System Documents:
- Trade Compliance Management System (including HS Code Review Process)
- Internal Compliance Program (ICP) for Export Control
- Customs audit contingency plan
The international trade environment in 2025 presentsThree New Characteristics: The full implementation of RCEP, the enforcement of the EU carbon border tax, and the expansion of the U.S. Entity List. A top-tier agency should be equipped with corresponding solutions.
What potential risks should be noted regarding the pricing models?
cautiouslyThree types of hidden fees:
- Exchange rate difference trap (it is recommended to lock in the T/T payment exchange rate)
- Additional charges for exceptional circumstances (such as inspection cooperation fees, amendment fees, etc.)
- Hidden logistics costs (excessive destination port charges)
Recommended to adoptStep Pricing Contract, specify the service fee rates for different annual export volume tiers. Request to provide data from the past six months.The real tariff.For cost accounting reference.
Has the digital service capability met industry standards?
The qualities a premium agency should possess by 2025:Four Major Technology Platforms:
- Real-time customs clearance progress tracking system
- Intelligent Classification Database (including RCEP Rules of Origin Calculator)
- Trade Compliance Risk Early Warning Platform
- ERP data interface (supports mainstream systems such as SAP, Yonyou, etc.)
Pay special attention to itsAPI integration capability, ensuring that business data can be synchronized in real-time to the company's own system.
How does the localization service network affect customs clearance efficiency?
It is recommended to choose duringThree key areasAgents with in-house teams:
- Major ports (such as Shanghai Yangshan Port, Shenzhen Shekou Port)
- Industrial agglomeration zones (Yangtze River Delta, Pearl River Delta, etc.)
- Special Economic Zones (Hainan Free Trade Port, Hengqin Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone)
Pay attention to the communication capabilities of the local customs, including the response speed for specialized services such as advance ruling applications and classification dispute resolution.
Is the case study of reference value?
Request to provideThree types of customersService records:
- Industry benchmark enterprises (to validate professionalism)
- Enterprises of the same scale (to verify service capacity)
- Special trade mode cases (such as processing trade, cross-border e-commerce B2B export)
It is recommended to conduct an on-site inspection of their operational area, with a focus on observingStandardization of Document ManagementandException Handling Process.
Choose to EnterExport agentWhen selecting partners, it is recommended to adopt3+3 Evaluation Model: A 3-month trial operation period (testing basic service capabilities) + 3 stress tests (handling sudden surges in inspection rates, document modifications, and emergency customs clearance), establishing a foundation for long-term cooperation through systematic evaluation.