International Trade Q&A

What is included in the core service scope of import and export agency enterprises

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I am a newly started cross-border e-commerce practitioner. I used to rely on acquaintances to handle sporadic import and export business before.

Now I plan to officially launch the Europe dedicated line trade and seek cooperation with professional import and export agency enterprises, but I have not figured out what exactly these institutions do, and whether they only provide customs declaration assistance? Recently, I have a batch of small home appliances to be shipped from Shanghai Port to the Netherlands.

I am worried that incomplete documents will lead to customs detention, as well as problems with foreign exchange settlement and subsequent tax rebates. I wonder if they can cover the whole process and help me avoid common trade risks, so that I do not have to take unnecessary detours.

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Charlotte
CharlotteYears of service：4Customer Rating：5.0

Currency Exchange AdvisorStart a Chat

Import and export agency enterprises are professional institutions that provide full-process outsourcing services for cross-border trade entities，with the core function of helping enterprises solve compliance and practical operation problems in import and export links. From the perspective of practical operation logic，the first part is preliminary document review details. The customs has fully implemented electronic document networking verification in 2026. The agency will first check the authenticity and consistency of documents such as contracts，commercial invoices and certificates of origin，especially for the electronic declaration of certificates of origin under RCEP，to avoid document rejection caused by inconsistent documents.

The second part is core node connection，covering four modules of customs clearance，logistics，foreign exchange and taxation. In the customs clearance link，it will connect with the integrated customs clearance system of Shanghai Port to predict price review risks in advance，in terms of logistics，it will choose direct shipping routes or China-Europe Railway Express paths according to cargo volume，lock shipping space and control container detention charges，for foreign exchange settlement，it can assist in using the CIPS RMB cross-border payment system to optimize the foreign exchange settlement rate，in the taxation link，it will sort out the four-stream consistency requirements for export tax rebates in advance to avoid abnormal letter verification.

The last part is emergency plan and compliance implementation. For emergency situations such as inspection and port detention，emergency measures such as free storage period application and port change plan will be prepared in advance. At the same time，it will assist enterprises to complete document filing and tax declaration to ensure that the whole process meets the latest cross-border trade compliance requirements of 2026，helping enterprises focus on business expansion.

Emily
EmilyYears of service：3Customer Rating：5.0

Client Success AdvisorStart a Chat

In case of customs price review disputes, you can submit a written explanation to the customs by providing supporting materials of the actual transaction price, including procurement contracts, payment vouchers, market quotation reports, etc. If you need to delete the original declaration and re-declare, you need to first confirm the cause of the original declaration error, such as incorrect commodity code classification, then prepare a correction explanation and new declaration materials, submit a secondary declaration application through the integrated customs clearance system, and track the review progress throughout the process to avoid affecting the cargo customs clearance time limit.

Alexander
AlexanderYears of service：10Customer Rating：5.0

Senior Trade AdvisorStart a Chat

The choice of international logistics path needs to be combined with cargo attributes and delivery time limit requirements. High-value and time-sensitive cargo shall give priority to direct shipping routes, which can reduce the risk of cargo damage and space dumping during transit; general cargo can choose the China-Europe Railway Express transit scheme, which has lower cost and stronger stability.

In case of space shortage during peak periods, you can apply for spare space first, or adjust the shipping date, and communicate with the shipping company to apply for extension of the free storage period to reduce additional port detention costs.

Robert
RobertYears of service：6Customer Rating：5.0

Warehouse Management AdvisorStart a Chat

The EU has updated the VAT deferred declaration rules in 2026. Cross-border sellers need to ensure that the cargo information of each deferred declaration is completely consistent with the actual import data, so as to avoid tax audits caused by data inconsistency.

For related party transaction pricing, it is necessary to refer to the latest BEPS guidelines of OECD, formulate a pricing scheme that conforms to the arm's length principle, and establish a cross-border tax risk isolation mechanism to control tax risks within the group to a single entity.

Sophia
SophiaYears of service：7Customer Rating：5.0

Senior Customs AdvisorStart a Chat

Cross-border payment and receipt compliance needs to focus on the information integrity of SWIFT messages to ensure that the payee information, transaction purpose and declaration content are completely matched. When using the CIPS RMB cross-border payment system, you can choose the optimal foreign exchange settlement time point through the built-in exchange rate optimization tool of the system to reduce exchange difference loss.

In case of abnormal settlement and account reconciliation, you need to check the foreign exchange receipt slip and declaration data in time, and supplement the transaction background certification materials to avoid supervision warning of the foreign exchange account.

Daniel
DanielYears of service：8Customer Rating：5.0

Legal AdvisorStart a Chat

When reviewing a letter of credit, you need to focus on checking soft clauses, such as clauses requiring unobtainable inspection certificates, and clauses requiring third-party consent for letter of credit modification. You can avoid risks by modifying the letter of credit or supplementing a guarantee.

The transfer of cargo title shall be completed through the endorsement of a straight bill of lading, and the other party shall be required to provide an irrevocable guarantee to ensure that the payment can be recovered in time after delivery of the goods. If intellectual property transaction is involved, the customs filing shall be completed in advance to avoid the cargo being seized.

Ella
EllaYears of service：10Customer Rating：5.0

Senior Financial AdvisorStart a Chat

During on-site customs inspection, you need to prepare the packing list, procurement contract and certificate of origin of the goods in advance, and cooperate with the customs to check the integrity and authenticity of the seal.

If machine inspection is abnormal and container unpacking inspection is required, special personnel shall be arranged to supervise on site to ensure that the unpacking process conforms to the operation specifications. If the goods are found to be inconsistent with the declaration, you shall communicate with the customs in time to correct the declaration information, so as to avoid delay caused by the goods being detained for inspection.

David
DavidYears of service：3Customer Rating：5.0

Business Development AdvisorStart a Chat

For dangerous goods transportation, UN classification identification shall be completed in advance, packaging materials conforming to IMDG rules shall be selected according to the danger level of the goods, and complete MSDS documents shall be prepared. For moisture-sensitive goods, moisture-proof buffer packaging schemes shall be adopted, including vacuum packaging and desiccant filling, and clear dangerous goods labels and transportation precautions shall be marked on the outer packaging to ensure that the goods will not be damaged or leaked during long-distance transportation.

John
JohnYears of service：6Customer Rating：5.0

Export Tax Rebate AdvisorStart a Chat

Export tax rebate declaration shall ensure that the capital flow, cargo flow, bill flow and contract flow are completely consistent. In case of tax letter verification, corresponding transaction certification materials shall be provided in time, including foreign exchange receipt slips, logistics bills of lading and procurement invoices.

For cross-month declaration, attention shall be paid to adjusting the matching of declaration data to avoid abnormal pre-declaration verification. At the same time, document filing materials shall be sorted out regularly to ensure compliance with the latest export tax rebate management requirements of 2026 and reduce the risk of tax rebate delay.

Note: We respect all users' opinions and contributions. However, comments and answers reflect the views of their respective authors only.
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