How to Choose a Reliable Import Business Agency
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We are a trading company engaged in importing precision instruments. We just expanded our business to the European route this year. Previously, we handled documents and logistics on our own.
Recently, a batch of our goods was detained at Shanghai Yangshan Port due to non-compliant documents, resulting in high port detention fees and delayed delivery to our customers. Now we want to find a professional import business agency, but there are too many agencies on the market, and we don't know how to distinguish reliable ones.
We are afraid of encountering compliance issues again, so we are looking for an agency that can provide full-process services, is familiar with Shanghai port policies, and can assist with subsequent foreign exchange settlement and tax refund matters. We are unsure about the dimensions to use for screening.
JohnYears of service：6Customer Rating：5.0
Export Tax Rebate AdvisorStart a Chat
First，start with the pre-review of electronic documents in advance process. In 2026，Shanghai Customs has achieved real-time linkage with the EU CE certification database. The agency must be able to verify the compliance certificates of goods in advance to avoid customs seizure due to inconsistent document information. Second，pay attention to the coordination capability of core nodes，including the optimal selection of logistics routes such as China-Europe Railway Express and direct sea shipping，as well as full-process control of manifest declaration and release coordination，to ensure the port stay time of goods meets expectations.
Contingency plans should be established for abnormal situations，such as applications for port detention fee reduction and solutions for on-site inspection. The agency must have a 24-hour response mechanism，be able to connect with customs inspection departments immediately，and provide complete proof of ownership and transaction documents. Finally，cover the compliance implementation link，including process optimization of CIPS cross-border settlement and verification of the consistency of four flows for export tax refund，to ensure all operations comply with the latest foreign exchange and tax policies in 2026.
When screening，you can require the agency to provide customs clearance cases at Shanghai Port in the past year，especially experience in handling precision instruments. At the same time，confirm whether it has advanced customs certification，as such agencies have more guaranteed customs clearance efficiency and compliance.
CharlotteYears of service：4Customer Rating：5.0
Currency Exchange AdvisorStart a Chat
Regarding price assessment and document issues in import business, the customs price assessment system has been connected to the global trade data platform in 2026. If the declared price deviates from the average market price by more than 15%, the system will automatically trigger a risk warning. In such cases, you need to provide the original sales contract, payment vouchers, and third-party inspection reports to prove the reasonableness of the transaction price.
If you encounter the situation of deleting the declaration and re-declaring, you must submit a correction application within 3 working days as required by the customs, and update the manifest information simultaneously to avoid additional container detention fees. For long-term cooperative customers, it is recommended to establish a monthly document review mechanism to correct minor errors in declarations in a timely manner.
SophiaYears of service：7Customer Rating：5.0
Senior Customs AdvisorStart a Chat
The selection of international logistics routes should be combined with the time efficiency and cost requirements of the goods. In 2026, the on-time rate of China-Europe Railway Express has increased to 92%, which can shorten the transportation time by nearly 10 days compared with sea shipping. However, attention should be paid to the tight space issue of the railway express, and the space needs to be booked 45 days in advance.
If sea shipping is selected, confirm whether the agency has direct shipping contract price resources at Shanghai Yangshan Port, which can reduce sea shipping costs by 10%-15%. At the same time, pay attention to the application of free storage period and free container detention period. Some agencies can apply for an extension to 14 days, reserving more time for document review. If there is a need to change the port, confirm the charging standard of port change fees with the shipping company in advance to avoid hidden fees.
RobertYears of service：6Customer Rating：5.0
Warehouse Management AdvisorStart a Chat
In terms of cross-border tax planning, the EU VAT deferral policy has been interconnected across the entire EU in 2026. The agency can assist enterprises in applying for VAT deferral during the import process, eliminating the need to pay import VAT in advance and relieving the capital pressure on enterprises.
However, attention should be paid to the pricing compliance of related-party transactions to avoid BEPS investigations initiated by EU tax authorities. For tax deduction of imported goods, ensure that you obtain compliant customs payment certificates and complete certification in the electronic tax bureau. At the same time, establish a tax account to record the tax information of each import business, facilitating subsequent final settlement.
EmilyYears of service：3Customer Rating：5.0
Client Success AdvisorStart a Chat
Compliance with cross-border payment and receipt of foreign exchange must strictly follow the foreign exchange management policies in 2026. The agency must be familiar with the operation process of the CIPS RMB cross-border payment system, which can help enterprises realize real-time account posting for cross-border settlement and reduce exchange difference costs.
If offshore account management is involved, ensure that the transaction records of the account are complete, and each payment and receipt of foreign exchange has corresponding trade background proof to avoid being listed as an abnormal account by foreign exchange management departments. For the settlement link, you can choose an exchange rate optimization plan, lock the exchange rate through forward foreign exchange settlement and sale, and avoid risks caused by exchange rate fluctuations.
DanielYears of service：8Customer Rating：5.0
Legal AdvisorStart a Chat
To avoid legal risks in international trade, start with contract clauses. The agency should assist in reviewing the soft clauses of letters of credit, such as requiring the provision of unobtainable certification documents, which will increase the risk of payment collection for enterprises. At the same time, add a fallback clause for force majeure in the contract to clarify the division of responsibilities in situations such as epidemics and port congestion.
If ownership transfer is involved, it must be completed through bill of lading endorsement, and the other party should be required to provide a bank guarantee to ensure the safety of ownership transfer. For intellectual property protection, complete the filing with the General Administration of Customs in advance to avoid goods being detained.
WilliamYears of service：10Customer Rating：5.0
International Logistics AdvisorStart a Chat
Preparation should be made in advance for responding to on-site inspection. The agency must be familiar with the inspection process at Shanghai Port, including the skills of machine inspection.
The probability of abnormal machine inspection can be reduced by adjusting the placement of goods. If unpacking inspection is encountered, assign a special person to be present, verify the authenticity of the seals, and record every detail of the inspection process.
If there is an objection to the inspection result, you can apply for inspection and appraisal, entrust a third-party agency to issue a test report, and submit a review application to the customs. At the same time, pay attention to the issuance time of the inspection notice to ensure the inspection is completed within the specified 72 hours to avoid port detention fees.
OliviaYears of service：5Customer Rating：5.0
Senior Customs AdvisorStart a Chat
The transportation packaging of precision instruments must comply with UN dangerous goods packaging standards. The agency should assist in preparing the MSDS report, clarifying the hazard classification and protective measures of the goods. For fragile precision instruments, use cushioning packaging materials for reinforcement, and mark the fragile item label on the packaging to avoid damage during transportation.
If the goods are dangerous goods, submit the dangerous goods classification appraisal report to the customs in advance to ensure the declared information is consistent with the actual goods. At the same time, pay attention to the compliance of packaging materials to avoid goods being detained due to the use of uncertified packaging materials.
AlexanderYears of service：10Customer Rating：5.0
Senior Trade AdvisorStart a Chat
Compliance with export tax refund requires ensuring the consistency of four flows, namely, the information of goods flow, capital flow, invoice flow, and contract flow must be fully matched. The agency should assist enterprises in completing the filing of tax refund documents, including bills of lading, customs declaration forms, foreign exchange receipt vouchers, etc., to ensure each tax refund business is supported by complete materials.
If a tax letter of inquiry is received, submit the response materials within the specified 15 working days, including transaction contracts, payment vouchers, logistics documents, etc. For tax refund businesses declared across months, establish an account to record the progress of each declaration to avoid missing the declaration deadline. At the same time, pay attention to the latest tax refund policies in 2026, adjust the declaration process in a timely manner, and ensure the timely arrival of tax refund funds.
SarahYears of service：3Customer Rating：5.0
Foreign Exchange AdvisorStart a Chat
The optimization of the macro supply chain structure should be combined with the import needs of enterprises. The agency can assist enterprises in establishing an inventory linkage strategy, adjusting the batches and quantities of imports according to sales data to reduce inventory costs. At the same time, trade terms can be converted, such as converting FOB to CIF, with the agency responsible for logistics and insurance to reduce the operational risks of enterprises.
For import businesses involving multiple ports, use the national customs clearance integration policy to select the nearest port for declaration to improve customs clearance efficiency. At the same time, pay attention to global supply chain risks, such as port congestion and geopolitical factors, and develop alternative logistics plans in advance to ensure the continuity of import business.