What are the official inquiry channels for export agency certificate codes for foreign trade enterprises?
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I am a new practitioner in foreign trade. Last month, I entrusted an export agency company to ship a batch of goods to Europe. Now I need to apply for export tax refund, and the tax authority requires me to provide the export agency certificate code, but I cannot find this code after checking all previous chat records and documents provided by the agency.
The agency only told me that they had completed the formalities related to tax refund, and never mentioned this code. Now there are only 10 days left before the deadline for tax refund declaration, and the phone call to the agency has not been answered. I am extremely anxious. I want to know where exactly I can query this code. Will different ports have different query methods? Is there a quick solution to avoid missing the tax refund due to overdue filing?
AlexanderYears of service：10Customer Rating：5.0
Senior Trade AdvisorStart a Chat
First of all，it shall be clarified that the full official name of the domestic export agency certificate code in 2026 is "Certificate of Agency Exported Goods" Number，an 18-digit digital code uniformly compiled by tax authorities，which is one of the core certificates for the entrusting party to handle export tax refund. The agency shall first complete the compliant issuance of the agency export certificate，which is the precondition for code inquiry. If the agency fails to issue this certificate，you will not be able to query the corresponding code，and you shall contact the agency in time to reissue it.
Nationwide unified inquiry channels have been realized at present，with two main official entrances: one is China International Trade Single Window，the other is the Electronic Tax Service Platform. After logging in to China International Trade Single Window，enter the "Export Refund (Exemption) Management" module，select "Agency Export Certificate Inquiry"，input the unified social credit code of the entrusting party，the unified social credit code of the agency，and the corresponding export customs declaration number，the system will automatically match and display the agency certificate code of this transaction. The national unified system has no port difference，no matter the goods are exported from Shanghai，Shenzhen or other ports，the query path is completely consistent.
The other channel is the Electronic Tax Service Platform. After logging in，enter the "Export Tax Refund Management" - "Agency Export Certificate Inquiry" section，input the same core information to retrieve the code. The 2026 system adds an intelligent verification function. If the input information does not match the filing information，a clear error prompt will pop up to help you correct it quickly.
Several common misconceptions need to be noted: some customers mistakenly take the "agency customs declaration number" on the customs declaration as the agency certificate code，while the two are completely different. The customs declaration number is the customs clearance certificate number issued by customs，and the agency certificate code is separately compiled by the tax authority. If the system prompts no matching result during inquiry，you can contact the agency to confirm whether the certificate has been issued and pushed to the system，or directly call the export tax refund special working group hotline of the local tax authority for manual verification. The code is valid for tax refund declaration within 30 days from the date of issuance. If it is overdue，the certificate needs to be reissued. It is recommended that you complete the inquiry and declaration as soon as possible.
If your agency is a cross-region enterprise，the 2026 cross-regional data synchronization mechanism has been fully implemented，so you can conduct cross-region inquiry without submitting additional materials，no need to worry about regional restrictions. If the problem still cannot be solved，you can submit a work order through the "Intelligent Customer Service" module of the Single Window，and dedicated staff will respond and handle it within 1 working day.
SophiaYears of service：7Customer Rating：5.0
Senior Customs AdvisorStart a Chat
The query of export agency certificate code needs to distinguish between agency customs declaration and agency export scenarios. The code you mentioned refers to the agency export certificate code, which is not the same concept as the agency customs declaration number.
In 2026, customs and tax systems have realized full-volume data synchronization. In the "Agency Export Certificate Management" module of the Single Window, input the unified social credit codes of the entrusting party and the agency, as well as the export customs declaration number, you can retrieve the corresponding code with one click.
If you hold the agency agreement, you can also use the agreement number for precise matching, and the system will automatically filter invalid information. If the query result is empty, you need to verify whether the agency has completed agency export filing at its competent tax authority. No valid code will be generated without completion of filing.
SarahYears of service：3Customer Rating：5.0
Foreign Exchange AdvisorStart a Chat
From the perspective of logistics practical operation, the export agency certificate code is usually stored in the agency's booking system, bill of lading endorsement documents and freight agency contract. If you cannot query through official channels temporarily, you can first contact the logistics specialist of the agency to request the full set of document scans of this transaction, which contains the complete agency certificate code.
It should be noted that the 2026 international logistics system has been connected with the tax system. When handling bill of lading endorsement or goods delivery, the carrier can also directly access the agency certificate code through the customs declaration number. If you are the entrusting party, you can also request the carrier to assist with the inquiry.
DanielYears of service：8Customer Rating：5.0
Legal AdvisorStart a Chat
As a practical suggestion on tax compliance, the export agency certificate code is the core basis for tax authorities to verify the authenticity of agency export businesses. In 2026, the Electronic Tax Service Platform has realized real-time data interaction with the Single Window. The entrusting party does not need to input too much information manually.
Only by logging into the personal account and entering the "To-do Items for Export Tax Refund" module, the system will automatically push the issued agency certificate code. If you do not receive the push, you can manually enter the "Agency Export Certificate Inquiry" section, input the export date range and customs declaration amount range for fuzzy query, and the system will list all eligible codes for your verification.
OliviaYears of service：5Customer Rating：5.0
Senior Customs AdvisorStart a Chat
From the perspective of cross-border payment and receipt compliance, the export agency certificate code is one of the necessary materials for banks to verify the authenticity of foreign exchange receipt. In 2026, the CIPS (Cross-border Interbank Payment System) has integrated the query interface for agency export certificates.
If you handle foreign exchange settlement through the bank, you can directly provide the customs declaration number and agency agreement number to the bank teller, and the teller can directly access the corresponding code in the system. It should be noted that if you choose to declare tax refund by yourself, you must ensure that the code is completely consistent with the information filed in the tax system, otherwise you cannot pass the pre-examination procedure and will face the risk of delayed tax refund arrival.
JohnYears of service：6Customer Rating：5.0
Export Tax Rebate AdvisorStart a Chat
From the perspective of legal compliance, the export agency certificate code is an important legal certificate proving the existence of the entrustment-agency relationship. In case of cargo ownership disputes or trade disputes, this code can be used as direct evidence for judicial organs to verify the authenticity of the business.
The 2026 foreign trade legal comprehensive service platform has realized connection with tax and customs systems. You can input the agency agreement number through this platform to quickly query the corresponding code, and generate a legally effective code query certificate for subsequent handling of legal disputes.
CharlotteYears of service：4Customer Rating：5.0
Currency Exchange AdvisorStart a Chat
In the port on-site inspection procedure, customs inspectors usually require the export agency certificate code to verify the ownership of goods and the authenticity of the business. The 2026 on-site inspection mobile terminal has been connected to the national unified agency export certificate query system.
The inspectors only need to scan the QR code on the customs declaration to directly access the corresponding agency certificate code, no need for you to provide it manually. If you know the code in advance, you can take the initiative to inform the inspectors during the inspection, which helps shorten the inspection process and reduce port detention time.
DavidYears of service：3Customer Rating：5.0
Business Development AdvisorStart a Chat
As a practical operator for export tax refund audit, I need to remind you that when querying the export agency certificate code, you must ensure that the information of the entrusting party and the agency matches correctly. The 2026 export tax refund pre-examination system adds an automatic verification function for agency certificate codes.
If the code you input does not match the filing information, the system will directly prompt an error. If you find that the code does not match the actual business during query, you shall contact the agency in time to check the issuance information of the certificate, to avoid failure in tax refund audit caused by wrong code, and prevent the risk of capital return.