Why do small and medium - sized enterprises need export agency services?

According to the statistics from the General Administration of Customs in 2023,More than 68% of export return casesIt arises from discrepancies in documents or declaration errors. With a professional customs clearance team and a trade management system, the export service provider can keep the error rate in customs clearance below 0.3%. Taking a jewelry company in Yiwu as an example, after adopting the agency service,Export DrawbackThe rate increased from 82% to 97%, saving approximately 45 working days annually in tax refund processing time.

What core services does export agency include?

Professional agency services cover four major modules:

• Trade compliance management
  • HS code classification accuracy verification
  • It is recommended to verify through the following methods:Document production
  • Export control compliance review
• End-to-end document processing
  • Standardized Production of Commercial Invoice/Packing List
  • Pre-review of electronic customs declaration data
  • Foreign Exchange Verification Form Filing
• Logistics Solutions
  • Optimal transportation route planning
  • Transportation of Special Cargo (Hazardous Materials/Cold Chain)
  • Destination port customs clearance coordination

Are agency fees really more cost-effective than self-operation?

Taking a manufacturing enterprise with an annual export volume of $2 million as an example:

• Self-operated model cost: Full-time customs declarer salary (approximately 120,000 yuan/year) + system maintenance fee (50,000 yuan/year) + training cost (30,000 yuan/year) = 200,000 yuan
• Agency service cost: Calculated at a service fee rate of 0.8%, it amounts to approximately $16,000 (equivalent to about 105,000 yuan), saving 95,000 yuan per year.

Notably,The customer retention rate of high-quality agents exceeds 85%.Long-term cooperation can create economies of scale, further reducing costs.

How to Identify a Reliable Export Agent Service Provider?

It is recommended to evaluate from four dimensions:

• Qualification Verification: Verify the "Customs AEO Certification Certificate" and "Customs Declaration Enterprise Registration Certificate"
• Industry focus：Priority should be given to agents with service cases in the same industry (e.g.Medical EquipmentExperience in ISO 13485 certification is required.
• Technical capabilities: Does it have an ERP system integrated with the Single Window, supporting real-time tracking?
• Risk guarantee: Insurance agents with professional liability coverage can offer a maximum single-claim compensation of 5 million yuan.

What potential risks require special attention?

In 2024, a certain local customs authority seized...Classified smuggling caseIt has been revealed that some unscrupulous agents profit by falsely declaring HS codes. Enterprises should establish a dual verification mechanism:

• Request the agent to provide classification supporting documents (such as Customs Classification Rulings).
• Regularly self-verify through the Customs Tariff Inquiry System (the 2025 version has opened API interfaces).
• Clearly stipulate the liability for compensation due to misrepresentation in the contract.