Is Agent Export Being Phased Out?

Mr. Fei, a foreign trade businessman, recently complained to me: "Agent export has high handling fees, slow processes, and always gets squeezed by intermediaries!" This reminds me of an industry phenomenon – more and more companies are abandoning agents and turning to self-operated export. Today, let's let the data speak and discuss why self-operated export might be the ultimate answer for foreign trade professionals.

Profit Margin: Saving Costs with One Hand, Controlling Pricing with the Other

Agency export typically incurs a service fee of 3%-8%, while self-operated export, through compliant channels like Zhongshishang, can control comprehensive costs to below 1.5%. Mr. Fei handicraft company is a typical case:

• During Agency Period: Actual receipt of 920,000 for a 1 million order
• After Self-Operation: Actual receipt of 985,000 for the same amount order

More importantly, self-operated export allows for independent pricing. When overseas clients inquire directly, you are no longer bound by the quoting system of the agent.

Process Efficiency: A Transformation from 72 Hours to 24 Hours

Traditional agency export goes through 4 stages: Factory → Agency Company → Customs Broker → Freight Forwarder, taking an average of 3 working days. The standardized process for self-operated export:

• Electronic document submission online (1 hour)
• Intelligent customs declaration system automatic review (4 hours)
• Connection to the customs single window (release in as fast as 2 hours)

Empirical data from a building materials enterprise shows that self-operated export has an overall efficiency increase of 67%, particularly suitable for time-sensitive businesses like cross-border e-commerce.

Risk Control: Every Penny is Visible

The most troublesome aspect of agency export is financial risk:

• Uncontrollable payment collection cycle (average extension of 15-30 days)
• Exchange rate differences in foreign currency settlement
• Difficulty in tracing tax disputes

Self-operated export, through local currency settlement + hedging tools, can reduce exchange rate fluctuation losses by 80%. Zhongshishang's full traceability system can also track payment status in real-time, truly realizing secure transactions of "payment upon shipment."

Long-Term Value: More Than Just Saving Money

Companies choosing self-operated export often experience three qualitative changes within 3 years:

• Establishment of an independent international brand (instead of always being an OEM)
• Accumulation of an overseas customer database (which agents typically do not share)
• Obtaining import and export credit ratings (facilitating financing and expansion)

As the successfully transformed Mr. Fei said: "Now clients email directly with my company's English name, instead of asking 'your Chinese supplier.'"

Is Your Company Suitable for Self-Operated Export?

Of course, self-operated export requires a professional team and system support. It is recommended that companies with an annual export volume exceeding 5 million gradually transition. Small and medium-sized enterprises can transition through Zhongshishang's lightweight solutions. Feel free to discuss in the comments section: Which model do you lean towards? What pain points have you encountered?

In the next issue, we will detail 5 tips for avoiding pitfalls in self-operated export. Follow our official account for the latest insights. After all, in this era, those who master the core channels hold the pricing power.