1.?Export Agency?To which specific sector within the modern service industry does it belong?

According to the classification standards of the WTO's General Agreement on Trade in Services, export agency is explicitly categorized underBusiness Services - Trade-Related Services - Goods Export Agency Services(CPC 86227). Under China's current "Service?Import/export?In the "Management Regulations," it is defined as:

• Producer services: Providing value-added supply chain services for manufacturing enterprises.
• Business Services: Offering End-to-End Cross-Border Trade Solutions
• ?Foreign trade?Comprehensive Services: Including customs clearance, logistics,?Forex Settlement?, integrated services such as tax refunds

2. What is the fundamental difference between export agency and self-operated export?

By comparing the trade data released by the General Administration of Customs in 2023, we found that enterprises using export agents accounted for 63%, with the core differences reflected in:

• Legal status
  • Agency export: The agent conducts business in the name of the principal.
  • Self-operated export: The enterprise independently completes the entire process operation.
• Risk bearing
  • The agent shall only bear operational risks within the agreed scope.
  • Self-operated businesses must bear all trade risks.

3. What specific business modules are included in export agency services?

Based on our practical experience serving over 800 foreign trade enterprises, a comprehensive export agency service should include:

• Basic services
  • Customs Declaration and Document Preparation (Adaptation to the 2025 New Version of Electronic Customs Declaration Form)
  • International Transportation Solution Design and Execution
• Value - added Services
  • Cross-border payment and receipt of foreign exchange, and foreign exchange risk hedging
  • ?Tax Refund?Full-process hosting (including response to the 2025 VAT policy reform)

4. How to determine whether an agency company has legal qualifications?

Enterprises should focus on verifying the following qualification documents:

• "Foreign Trade Operator Registration Form" (issued by the Ministry of Commerce)
• "Customs Registration Certificate for Declaration Entities" (Supervised and Issued by the General Administration of Customs)
• Filed with the State Administration of Foreign ExchangeTrade Foreign Exchange Receipts and Payments Enterprise Directory(2025 Updated Edition)

V. What are the new trends in the export agency industry by 2025?

Based on recent industry dynamics analysis, it is recommended that enterprises focus on three key trends:

• Digital service upgrade
  • The coverage rate of the blockchain customs clearance system will reach 75%.
  • The error rate of AI intelligent customs declaration has been reduced to below 0.3%.
• upgraded compliance requirements
  • EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) declaration services have become standard.
  • UFLPA Act compliance review is included in basic services.