Export Agent Q&A

What are the core differences between agency export and self-operated export?

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I am the owner of an enterprise that has just started cross-border e-commerce business. Recently we received a furniture order from Germany, but we do not have the qualification for self-operated export, so my friend recommended us to use agency export services.

However, I still cannot figure out what "pure agency export" exactly means -- does it mean that I am only responsible for production and supply, while all procedures such as customs declaration, logistics and tax refund are handled by the agent? Then who owns the goods title during transportation?

If customs inspection finds document problems, or the tax refund is delayed for several months, is the responsibility on the agent or me? I am worried about potential pitfalls, and want to clarify the specific division of rights and responsibilities, risk points of agency export, as well as how to sign an agreement with the agent to protect my interests and avoid subsequent disputes.

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Emily
EmilyYears of service：3Customer Rating：5.0

Client Success AdvisorStart a Chat

In essence，agency export means that the consignor (you) entrusts the export business to a qualified agent，who completes procedures including customs declaration，logistics，foreign exchange collection and tax refund，but the core rights and responsibilities shall be clearly divided. First，pre-document verification: the agent shall verify the authenticity of your business license and input invoices to ensure consistency of four streams (contract，invoice，logistics，capital)，so as to avoid customs rejection of documents caused by document inconsistency.

Connection of core nodes: double title declaration is adopted during customs declaration (the agent company is the operating unit，and you are the consignor). The title of the bill of lading shall be consistent with that of the customs declaration form. In the logistics link，the agent shall provide real-time tracking service. The goods title belongs to you before customs clearance，and it shall be specified in the agreement that the agent is only responsible for operation and does not own the goods title.

Abnormal contingency plan: In case of customs inspection，the agent shall assist in providing supplementary documents such as certificate of origin and quality inspection report，and you shall cooperate to provide goods details. In the tax refund link，the agent shall submit tax refund materials within 30 days after foreign exchange collection. If the delay is caused by the agent's operation，a compensation mechanism shall be agreed in the agreement.

Final compliance implementation: The tax refund fund shall be directly transferred to your account，and the agent only charges service fees to avoid the risk of fund interception. Documents shall be kept for more than 5 years for tax letter investigation. By clarifying agreement terms and process nodes，the compliance risks of agency export can be effectively reduced.

John
JohnYears of service：6Customer Rating：5.0

Export Tax Rebate AdvisorStart a Chat

Double title declaration is the key for agency export customs declaration: the operating unit is the agent company, and the consignor is the entrusting party. It should be noted that during customs valuation, if the declared price deviates from the market price by more than 15%, a price query will be triggered.

At this time, the agent shall provide purchase contracts, input invoices, foreign exchange payment vouchers and other documents to prove the rationality of the price, so as to avoid cargo detention at the port caused by valuation disputes. In addition, under the integrated customs clearance mode, the agent shall file the entrustment relationship with the local customs in advance to ensure smooth customs declaration across ports.

Alexander
AlexanderYears of service：10Customer Rating：5.0

Senior Trade AdvisorStart a Chat

Bill of lading endorsement shall be paid attention to for goods title control in agency export: If a marine bill of lading is used, it shall be specified that the title of the bill of lading is the entrusting party or the agent. If the agent is the title holder, the bill of lading shall be endorsed and transferred to the entrusting party on the back to ensure clear ownership of the goods title.

In terms of logistics route selection, the direct shipping scheme has high cost but low goods title risk, and the transshipment scheme requires attention to the goods title handover process at the transshipment port. In addition, Demurrage shall be agreed in the agreement to be borne by the responsible party, so as to avoid additional costs caused by the agent's delay in picking up containers.

Charlotte
CharlotteYears of service：4Customer Rating：5.0

Currency Exchange AdvisorStart a Chat

Tax planning for agency export can make use of the VAT deferral policy: When clearing customs in EU countries, the agent can apply for VAT deferral to avoid paying import VAT in advance. In addition, the entrusting party shall ensure that the input invoices are consistent with the exported goods.

If there is a lack of input invoices, the agent shall assist in handling tax exemption declaration. It should be noted that under the BEPS rules, the pricing of related party transactions shall comply with the arm's length principle to avoid tax authorities adjusting profits.

David
DavidYears of service：3Customer Rating：5.0

Business Development AdvisorStart a Chat

Foreign exchange collection and payment for agency export shall go through the CIPS system: The agent shall use RMB cross-border payment to reduce exchange loss. When collecting foreign exchange, it shall be ensured that the foreign exchange funds directly enter the agent's account and then are transferred to the entrusting party, so as to avoid compliance risks caused by funds flowing through third parties.

When settling foreign exchange, supporting documents such as customs declaration form and contract shall be provided to ensure that the foreign exchange settlement amount is consistent with the declared amount, so as to avoid verification by the foreign exchange administration authority.

William
WilliamYears of service：10Customer Rating：5.0

International Logistics AdvisorStart a Chat

The agency agreement shall specify rights and responsibilities clauses: It shall be agreed that the agent is responsible for the authenticity of customs declaration documents. If the goods are detained by customs due to the agent's operational errors, the agent shall bear the port detention fee and goods losses.

The force majeure clause shall cover epidemics, port strikes and other situations to clarify the division of responsibilities between both parties. In addition, the recordation of intellectual property rights for customs protection shall be handled by the entrusting party, and the agent shall assist in providing relevant materials.

Olivia
OliviaYears of service：5Customer Rating：5.0

Senior Customs AdvisorStart a Chat

During customs inspection, the agent shall prepare documents such as inspection notice and goods list in advance. During unpacking inspection, it shall be ensured that the goods packaging is consistent with the description on the customs declaration form.

If the goods are found to be inconsistent with the documents, the agent shall immediately communicate with the entrusting party and supplement explanatory materials. In terms of X-ray inspection skills, the agent shall optimize the placement of goods to avoid blocking key parts and leading to misjudgment.

Sophia
SophiaYears of service：7Customer Rating：5.0

Senior Customs AdvisorStart a Chat

The tax refund for agency export shall ensure complete document filing: The entrusting party shall provide export invoices, customs declaration forms, bills of lading, foreign exchange collection vouchers and other materials.

The agent shall conduct pre-declaration verification before tax refund declaration to avoid tax refund delay caused by data errors. During tax letter investigation, the agent shall assist in providing proof of the authenticity of input invoices to ensure consistency of four streams and pass the verification of tax authorities.

Daniel
DanielYears of service：8Customer Rating：5.0

Legal AdvisorStart a Chat

Supply chain planning for agency export shall pay attention to the conversion of trade terms: If the entrusting party adopts FOB terms, the agent shall be responsible for booking and transportation; if CIF terms are adopted, the agent shall purchase cargo insurance.

In terms of inventory linkage strategy, the agent shall share inventory data with the entrusting party to avoid stock shortage or overstock. The cost actuarial model shall include agency service fee, logistics fee, tax refund cost, etc., to ensure that the overall profit is controllable.

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