What problems may arise from lax qualification review of agency companies?

The latest 2025 data from the General Administration of Customs shows that23.7% of foreign trade dispute cases nationwidestill originate from agency company qualification issues. Main risks include:

• Fake export qualifications: Some agency companies forge customs filing registration certificates
• Insufficient credit line: Annual agency export amount exceeds the companys credit limit
• Special commodity restrictions: Lack of export qualifications for special categories like medical devices/hazardous chemicals

Proposal to passChinas Single Window in International TradeVerify the companys customs registration code on the official website and require the agency to provide tax payment certificates for the last 3 months.

What legal risks may improper tax handling cause?

An electromechanical equipment exporter in 2024 had3.4 million yuanExport tax refundrecovered due to operational errors by the agency companyParticular attention is needed:

• Mismatch between VAT invoice issuance time and customs declaration date
• Incorrect classification of export commodity codes (HS CODE)
• Discrepancy between foreign exchange verification documents and received payment amounts

It is recommended to clarify in the contractTax liability division clauses, and require the agency to provide monthly tax handling progress reports.

How to prevent payment collection risks?

According to the 2025 International Trade Commission report,Payment collection risks in agency exportsare 42% higher than in self-operated exports. Key prevention measures:

• Require the agent to provideBank Payment Guarantee
• EstablishedPhased payment mechanism:
  • 30% advance deposit
  • 60% payment upon presentation of bill of lading copy
  • 10% final payment after acceptance
• Export credit insurance (ECA) coverage

How to avoid collateral risks brought by trade friction?

Taking the 2024 U.S. anti-dumping case against Chinese photovoltaic products as an example, export agency may face:

• Risk of retrospective taxation by importing countries
• Misoperation of export control list commodities
• Deficiencies in certificate of origin documentation

It is recommended to include in the contractSpecial trade barrier clauses, requiring the agent to update the target countrys trade policy database in real time.

What hidden dangers exist in liability division during logistics?

A garment exporter incurred$170,000 in additional cost disputesdue to the agency company arbitrarily changing shipping terms (from EXW to FOB). Key clarifications needed:

• Applicable version of shipping terms (INCOTERMS 2025)
• Title transfer time node
• Cargo damage compensation standards and procedures

How to prevent intellectual property infringement risks?

Among counterfeit goods seized by EU customs in 2025,38% circulated through export agency channels. Recommended measures:

• Require the agent to provideIntellectual property due diligence report
• Specify on customs declaration documentsOEM authorization certificate number
• Pre-depositLegal dispute reserve fund(5%-8% of contract value)

How to allocate exchange rate fluctuation losses?

Recommended adoptionDynamic exchange rate locking mechanism:

• Contractual benchmark exchange rate (China Foreign Exchange Trade System rate on signing date)
• Re-negotiation clause triggered when fluctuations exceed ±2%
• Require the agent to provideCross-border RMB settlement solution

How to identify hidden service charges?

A food export company discovered in 2024 that its agency company charged9 unagreed feesand including:

• Document certification expedited fee
• Port congestion surcharge
• Exchange rate hedging service fee

Should be clearly specified in the contractAll-inclusive service list, and additional charges require written confirmation.