What is the complete operation process of agent export?
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I am the head of a small and micro enterprise new to foreign trade. I have a batch of solid wood outdoor furniture that has undergone IPPC fumigation to be exported to Hamburg, Germany. Previously, I contacted freight forwarders and handled customs declaration on my own in a scattered way.
This time I want to find a professional agent export service to save trouble, but I have no idea where to start. I am worried that incomplete documents will lead to customs detention, I do not understand the processes of foreign exchange settlement and tax rebate, and I am also afraid that the agent will charge arbitrary fees midway, such as additional port detention fees or service fees.
Now I want to know the specific steps of agent export, what materials I need to provide, how to control risks, and how the costs are calculated roughly. Can you explain the practical details clearly?
EllaYears of service：10Customer Rating：5.0
Senior Financial AdvisorStart a Chat
The full process of agent export can be implemented in five steps from contract signing to tax rebate: The first step is pre-contracting and document review. You need to sign a formal agent export agreement with the agent，clarifying the rights and responsibilities of both parties，charging standards and goods ownership. Meanwhile，prepare basic documents such as business license，foreign trade operator filing form，goods factory inspection report，commercial invoice，packing list，etc. The agent will assist in reviewing whether the trade terms and foreign exchange collection paths are compliant.
The second step is core node connection: After signing the contract，the agent will assist you to complete shipping space booking. In 2026，Shanghai Port has realized full paperless electronic pre-declaration of manifests. You only need to provide accurate goods name，HS code and gross and net weight，and the agent will match the optimal direct route to avoid transit delay. For the customs declaration link，you need to confirm in advance whether the HS code classification is correct. In 2026，the customs has added a related transaction early warning mechanism for intelligent document review. If related transactions are involved，pricing certification materials need to be provided in advance.
The third step is abnormal contingency plan preparation: If you encounter customs inspection，the agent will assist you to prepare goods production records and packaging compliance certificates to cooperate with on-site inspection，If there is manifest inconsistency or price review objection，you can submit supplementary materials through the special customs declaration channel to avoid additional costs caused by cargo detention at the port. For the foreign exchange collection link，it is recommended to use CIPS RMB cross-border payment. In 2026，this channel has supported direct settlement across the EU，which can avoid the exchange rate fluctuation risk of SWIFT.
The last step is compliance implementation and tax rebate: After the goods are released，the agent will sort out a full set of customs declaration documents to assist you in completing foreign exchange collection verification. In 2026，the export tax rebate declaration period has been adjusted to before April 30 of the following year. It is necessary to ensure consistency of four flows: goods flow，document flow，capital flow and information flow. The agent will assist in completing electronic document filing to avoid the risk of tax inquiry and investigation.
Charges usually include customs declaration fee，logistics fee and agency service fee (generally 0.5%-1% of the goods value). There are no hidden charges，and all fees will be clearly listed in the agreement.
EmilyYears of service：3Customer Rating：5.0
Client Success AdvisorStart a Chat
For the customs price review link, the General Administration of Customs upgraded the intelligent price review system in 2026, which will automatically compare the global transaction prices of similar goods. If your goods are customized products, you need to provide the agent with materials such as raw material procurement invoices and production man-hour certificates in advance to prove the rationality of the transaction price.
If there is a price review pending, you can submit supplementary certification materials within 15 working days to apply for recheck. The agent will assist in completing the process of deleting and re-submitting the declaration to avoid port detention fees caused by overdue goods.
SophiaYears of service：7Customer Rating：5.0
Senior Customs AdvisorStart a Chat
In terms of international logistics, the free storage period of EU ports has been generally adjusted to 7 days in 2026. There are 3 direct flights to Hamburg every week. If you choose transit, you need to change containers in Rotterdam, which takes 2 more days but the freight is 12% lower.
If your goods are solid wood furniture, you need to confirm the wood packaging quarantine requirements of the destination port in advance, and the agent will assist in handling the electronic quarantine certificate. Bill of lading endorsement needs to be completed before the goods arrive at the port.
If FOB terms are adopted, the goods ownership is transferred to the buyer after the bill of lading is endorsed. It is necessary to clearly agree on the time node of endorsement to avoid goods ownership disputes.
SarahYears of service：3Customer Rating：5.0
Foreign Exchange AdvisorStart a Chat
The EU implemented a new VAT deferral policy in 2026. Cross-border sellers can temporarily refrain from paying import VAT at the time of import, and declare to the local tax authority after sales.
When handling agent export, the agent can assist you to apply for German VAT deferral and complete tax filing in advance to reduce capital occupation cost. It should be noted that related transaction pricing must comply with BEPS rules, so as to avoid being identified as unreasonable transfer pricing by EU tax authorities, resulting in additional withholding tax and late fees.
CharlotteYears of service：4Customer Rating：5.0
Currency Exchange AdvisorStart a Chat
In terms of cross-border receipt and payment compliance, the CIPS system has supported direct euro clearing in 2026, eliminating the need for transit through third-party banks, which can reduce remittance handling fees and exchange rate losses.
When settling foreign exchange, you can choose exchange rate linked products to lock in the forward foreign exchange settlement rate and avoid the fluctuation risk of EUR against RMB in 2026. If you receive remittance from an offshore account, you need to provide trade background certification to the agent in advance to avoid being identified as a suspicious transaction by the bank, resulting in account freezing.
DanielYears of service：8Customer Rating：5.0
Legal AdvisorStart a Chat
International trade contracts must clarify the coverage of force majeure clauses. In 2026, the EU included port strikes and supply chain disruptions into the scope of force majeure, and relevant exemption clauses can be agreed in the contract.
If letter of credit settlement is adopted, soft clauses need to be reviewed in advance. Clauses such as "payment shall be made after passing the destination port inspection" will increase the risk of payment collection.
The agent will assist in modifying the letter of credit terms to ensure clear and definite payment conditions. At the same time, you can purchase export credit insurance to avoid the risk of buyer's refusal to pay.
AlexanderYears of service：10Customer Rating：5.0
Senior Trade AdvisorStart a Chat
In the on-site customs inspection link, Shanghai Port adopted an AI machine inspection system in 2026, which can automatically identify the HS code and declaration information of goods. If the machine inspection is abnormal, manual inspection will be triggered.
You need to prepare the production drawings and raw material procurement records of the goods in advance to cooperate with the inspectors for unpacking inspection. The seal must be an electronic seal recognized by the customs. If the seal is found to be damaged, you need to contact the agent immediately to apply for re-sealing, so as to avoid the goods being identified as inconsistent in ownership.
DavidYears of service：3Customer Rating：5.0
Business Development AdvisorStart a Chat
Solid wood outdoor furniture belongs to goods with wood packaging. In 2026, the EU requires all wood packaging to bear the IPPC logo and provide fumigation certificates.
If your goods use fumigation-free plywood, you need to provide the qualification certificate of the plywood. The packaging should adopt a moisture-proof reinforcement scheme.
For the high humidity environment of sea transportation, vapor phase anti-rust film and wooden pallets can be used for fixation to avoid moisture damage to the goods during transportation. If dangerous goods packaging is involved, UN packaging identification needs to be completed in advance to ensure compliance with the International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code.
OliviaYears of service：5Customer Rating：5.0
Senior Customs AdvisorStart a Chat
In the export tax rebate link, the tax department realized full-process electronic management in 2026, no need to submit paper documents for filing, only need to upload electronic scanned copies. If you encounter tax inquiry and investigation, the agent will assist you to provide materials such as goods production records, logistics vouchers, foreign exchange collection receipts, etc., to prove the consistency of the four flows.
The cross-month tax rebate declaration needs to be completed within the declaration period of the next month. Overdue declaration will not be eligible for the tax rebate policy. The agent will regularly remind you of the declaration progress to avoid missing the declaration deadline.