What is an agentExport Clearance? Whats the difference compared to self-operated customs clearance?

Export customs clearance agency refers to a service model where professional companies with AEO certification qualifications are entrusted to handle the entire customs procedures including export goods declaration, document review, and tax payment. There are three core differences compared to self-operated customs clearance:

• Different responsible entities: Under the agency model, the customs broker assumes declaration responsibility, while self-operated customs clearance requires the enterprise to be responsible
• Difference in professional thresholds: Professional agency support is required for matters involving HS code classification, rules of origin, etc.
• Difference in risk controlIn 2025, customs will implement a new model of smart document review + on-site verification, where professional agents can reduce clearance delays caused by declaration errors.

Which enterprises need export customs clearance agency services?

According to 2024 statistics from the General Administration of Customs, 73.5% of small and mediumforeign tradeenterprises choose agency customs clearance. The following four types of enterprises particularly need professional services:

• New enterprises conductingimport and exportbusiness for the first time
• Export products involving3Cspecial regulatory requirements such as certification and food record filing
• Bulk goods with single batch value exceeding 500,000 RMB
• Enterprises needing to process processing trade manuals or bonded logistics business

What specific steps does export customs clearance agency include?

The standard service process can be divided into seven key steps:

• Sign the agency agreement (specifying service scope and division of responsibilities)
• Document pre-review (focus on verifying consistency of invoices, packing lists, and contracts)
• HS code classification confirmation (the 2025 new tariff schedule has added 126 subdivided tariff codes)
• Declaration data entry (requires connection to the international trade Single Window system)
• Customs document review interaction (handling exceptional cases such as tax supplements and document amendments)
• On-site inspection coordination (the agency provides full-process accompanying services)
• Document archiving after release (electronic records must be kept for no less than 5 years)

How are customs clearance agency fees calculated? Are there any hidden costs?

Reputable agency companies typically include these services in their fees:

• Basic service fee (charged per document, 2025 market price 300-800 RMB/document)
• Document processing fee (special documents such asIt is recommended to verify through the following methods:Additional charge of 100-200 RMB)
• Expedited service fee (if customs clearance within 24 hours is required, the fee increases by 50%-100%)
• Inspection coordination fee (charged when customs inspection occurs, including labor and transportation costs)

Potential costs requiring special attention include: advance payment of fines due to incorrect product classification, tax differences caused by exchange rate fluctuations, and secondary customs declaration fees for returned goods.

How to choose a reliable customs clearance agency?

It is recommended to evaluate service providers from five dimensions:

• Qualification review: Check customs AEO certification and customs declaration enterprise registration certificate
• Industry Reputation: Query violation records through the Customs Enterprise Credit Publicity System
• Service network: Establish branches at major ports for more efficient handling of emergencies
• Technical capabilities: Whether equipped with intelligent tools such as classification databases and risk warning systems
• Insurance Coverage: Professional liability insurance coverage should not be less than 5 million RMB

What are the common issues in the customs clearance agency process? How to address them?

Based on our experience with 200+ cases, the three most frequent issues include:

• Inconsistent documentary informationIt is recommended to establish a dual-person verification mechanism and complete final confirmation 72 hours before export.
• Customs inspection delaysChoose agents that provide emergency channel services, which can reduce processing time by over 50%.
• Disputes over commodity classification: Require the agency to provide a classification basis document and commit to assuming corresponding responsibilities

A certainMedical EquipmentExport cases show that professional agencies, through pre-classification services, can reduce customs clearance time from 20 days to 3 days, avoiding order default losses.