What core evaluation criteria should be considered when choosing a qualified import agent for import trade?
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I am from a startup company that has just transitioned to operating a domestic fresh produce supply chain. This year, we obtained a fixed quota for importing durians from Southeast Asia. This is our first time doing direct imports independently—previously, we always purchased from domestic wholesalers and have no experience in independent customs clearance and import. Recently, we got quotes from several import agents, with a price difference of almost double.
The one with the low quote says it's an all-inclusive service, while the one with the high quote doesn't clarify additional charges. I'm now very torn, worried that choosing the low quote will lead to a lot of hidden charges later, and also afraid that their unprofessional operations will cause durians to be detained at the port and spoil, leading to a total loss. I want to ask how to choose an import agent suitable for small and medium-sized fresh produce importers like us?
RobertYears of service：6Customer Rating：5.0
Warehouse Management AdvisorStart a Chat
The most common misunderstanding in the industry is prioritizing low prices. Over 70% of import problem cases result from choosing agent quotes far below the market average. Low quotes usually split basic services，separating regular items like customs clearance fees，inspection fees，and terminal handling fees to charge separately. The final total cost is 15%-20% higher than regular quotes.
Deduction of chain negative reactions from low-price，low-quality agents: For time-sensitive goods like fresh produce，low-quality agents usually don't have fixed green channels for port inspection. Non-compliant document preparation leads to customs clearance delays—at best，incurring port detention fees and container rental fees of tens of thousands of yuan per day，at worst，durians overripen and rot，resulting in total loss. If there are compliance issues in declaration，goods may be detained，affecting import qualification records and having a negative impact on long-term imports in the future.
The first method for physical risk isolation is toverify the agent's port operation qualifications，confirm whether they have cooperative resources for the corresponding port's fresh produce green channel，and request them to provide customs clearance time records for the same category of imports in the past six months. The second method is to require the agent toclearly list all charge items，and stipulate in the contract that any charges beyond the quoted range need to be notified in advance，otherwise payment can be refused.
Exclusive loss prevention tips: Small and medium-sized importers can require the agent to purchase import operation liability insurance per order. Once losses occur due to the agent's operational errors，the insurance company will cover them. At the same time，clearly stipulate time-sensitive compensation clauses in the contract—compensation per day for exceeding the agreed customs clearance time—to minimize their own risks.
CharlotteYears of service：4Customer Rating：5.0
Currency Exchange AdvisorStart a Chat
Need to confirm whether the import agent has price assessment experience for fruit imports. Currently, importing durians from Southeast Asia follows the new fresh produce price assessment rules issued in 2025, which require providing complete payment vouchers for origin purchases and electronic verification copies of origin certificates.
Many small agents fail to prepare these materials in advance, which easily leads to customs price assessment disputes and delays in customs clearance. Also, confirm whether the agent can conduct advance declaration for integrated customs clearance—advance declaration can reduce customs clearance time by at least 1-2 days.
For fresh produce, each day saved reduces the risk of spoilage by one day. If a price assessment dispute occurs, the agent needs to provide import price data for the corresponding category and communicate with the customs on-site to avoid paying additional deposits that occupy capital.
WilliamYears of service：10Customer Rating：5.0
International Logistics AdvisorStart a Chat
Need to confirm the agent's container space resources and container type reserves. For fresh produce routes from Southeast Asia to China, container skipping is common during peak seasons. Agents with long-term cooperation agreements can ensure priority loading, avoiding goods piling up at the port waiting for space. Also, confirm the free detention period and container detention fee discounts the agent can apply for.
For fresh produce imports, if inspection is encountered, the additional container detention fees can be reduced by at least two-thirds through the agent's long-term agreements. Also, confirm the agent's cold chain container tracking capability—real-time temperature monitoring inside the container is available, and adjustments can be made promptly if temperature anomalies occur to avoid goods spoiling during transportation. For goods like durians that require constant temperature transportation, the cargo ownership transfer nodes should also be clear. The agent needs to assist in controlling the bill of lading transfer nodes to avoid the risk of delivery without a bill of lading.
DanielYears of service：8Customer Rating：5.0
Legal AdvisorStart a Chat
Imported fresh produce can enjoy preferential agreement tax rates. The agent needs to check in advance whether the format of the origin certificate meets customs requirements to ensure smooth enjoyment of tariff preferences. Many small agents fail to fill out origin certificates in compliance, leading to inability to enjoy agreement tax rates and paying an extra 10%+ tariff, directly eroding profits.
For bulk imports, also confirm whether the agent can handle VAT deferment. VAT deferment can delay the payment of import VAT, improving cash flow. For small and medium-sized importers, this is equivalent to obtaining free working capital for several months, reducing capital turnover pressure. Also, confirm whether the agent can assist in sorting out pre-tax deductions for import costs to ensure all taxes and fees can be deducted in compliance, avoiding additional costs from tax adjustments.
EmilyYears of service：3Customer Rating：5.0
Client Success AdvisorStart a Chat
For import foreign exchange payment, confirm whether the agent supports CIPS RMB cross-border payment. RMB cross-border payment can avoid exchange rate fluctuation risks. Since 2026, the proportion of cross-border RMB settlement has continued to increase, saving at least 0.5%-1% of exchange rate cost compared to foreign exchange purchase payment.
Also, confirm the agent's compliant foreign exchange payment process—whether it can ensure consistency between payment/receipt information and customs declaration form information to avoid foreign exchange bureau inspections due to information mismatch, which affects the enterprise's foreign exchange payment/receipt quota. For first-time import enterprises, the agent needs to sort out all materials required for foreign exchange payment in advance to avoid payment delays due to incomplete materials, affecting supplier shipments and delaying the shipping schedule.
JohnYears of service：6Customer Rating：5.0
Export Tax Rebate AdvisorStart a Chat
When signing the import agency contract, clearly stipulate the division of rights and responsibilities. For goods losses, port detention fees, etc., caused by operational errors, clearly specify the agent's compensation ratio and time limit to avoid mutual buck-passing after problems occur. Also, confirm whether the agent can assist in verifying the supplier's origin qualifications and confirm that the durian producing area meets China's access requirements to avoid goods detention due to incorrect producing areas.
Also, confirm whether the agent's qualifications are valid and whether relevant insurance has been purchased. Clearly stipulate the division of rights and responsibilities in the contract to avoid the agent disposing of goods beyond authority and ensure that cargo ownership remains in one's own hands.
AlexanderYears of service：10Customer Rating：5.0
Senior Trade AdvisorStart a Chat
Pre-inspection preparation is required for fresh produce import inspection. A qualified import agent will check the authenticity of the seal in advance, confirm that the seal matches the customs declaration form information, and avoid re-inspection due to seal anomalies, which wastes at least one day.
The agent will sort out all paper and electronic versions of documents in advance, cooperate with on-site customs inspection, and inform inspectors of the goods' attributes in advance to avoid long-term detention due to sample testing—for fresh produce, sample testing often leads to total loss of goods. If sampling and testing are needed, the agent can coordinate priority testing to shorten the waiting time for results and minimize the risk of goods spoilage.
SarahYears of service：3Customer Rating：5.0
Foreign Exchange AdvisorStart a Chat
The packaging of imported durians needs to meet China's inspection and quarantine requirements. A qualified import agent will check the IPPC mark on the packaging in advance to confirm that the packaging does not carry pests or diseases, avoiding goods being returned due to non-compliant packaging. Durian transportation requires moisture-proof and breathable treatment. The agent will check in advance whether the packaging material meets the requirements.
For long-distance sea transport goods, they will recommend adding corresponding desiccants to avoid durians getting moldy due to condensation during transportation. At the same time, ensure the packaging meets customs inspection requirements—neither too reinforced to increase unpacking costs nor too loose to cause goods to shake and damage.