Looking for an agency to help export food, unclear about the procedures and documents needed, worried about affecting the export process. The best answer states that agency food export requires a food production license, business license, import and export rights related documents, and health certificates. Procedures include commodity inspection, customs declaration, label review, etc., and different countries or regions have special requirements that need to be understood and prepared in advance.
Can export agency use a single bill of lading? Come and find out!
Resolved
Our company plans to find an agency for exporting goods, and we heard there are differences between single and double bills of lading for export customs declaration. We want to know if export agency can use a single bill of lading. If so, what are the differences between single and double bills of lading in terms of operation process and tax refund, and what impact will they have on our company? We hope for a detailed explanation, thank you!
Trade Expert Insights Answers
Kevin HuangYears of service：3Customer Rating：5.0
E-Commerce Export AdvisorStart a Chat
Export agency can use a single bill of lading. A single bill of lading refers to the customs declaration form displaying only the name of either the agency or the principal. If the agency uses a single bill of lading, the operation process is relatively simple. The agency is responsible for handling customs declaration, inspection, and other procedures for the entire export process, while the principal only needs to provide cargo-related information. For tax refunds, the agency handles the tax refund process. The refunded amount will first be deposited into the agency's account and then transferred to the principal by the agency.
A double bill of lading, on the other hand, displays the names of both the agency and the principal on the customs declaration form. In this case, tax refunds are generally handled by the principal themselves.
For the principal, using a single bill of lading means less involvement in the export process, making it relatively hassle-free, but it involves dependence on the agency for fund flow. With a double bill of lading, the principal has greater autonomy but needs to invest more effort in handling procedures such as tax refunds. The choice between a single and a double bill of lading should consider the company's specific circumstances and the cooperation model with the agency.
Michael ZhangYears of service：10Customer Rating：5.0
Customs Clearance SpecialistStart a Chat
Providing information for a single bill of lading is more straightforward. The principal basically needs to provide basic cargo information as required by the agency, without having to worry about other complex matters. However, it is important to sign a good agreement with the agency to ensure that the tax refund is transferred to you promptly and accurately.
Anthony LuoYears of service：10Customer Rating：5.0
Trade Compliance ExpertStart a Chat
Under a single bill of lading, the agency's responsibilities are more concentrated. If any problems arise, it is relatively straightforward for the principal to communicate and resolve issues with the agency. In contrast, the division of responsibilities for a double bill of lading can sometimes be more complex.
David ChenYears of service：10Customer Rating：5.0
Trade Compliance AdvisorStart a Chat
If the principal is familiar with tax refund policies and operations, handling tax refunds themselves with a double bill of lading offers better control. However, if they are not very knowledgeable, having the agency handle tax refunds with a single bill of lading might be more secure.
Linda GuoYears of service：3Customer Rating：5.0
Trade Dispute MediatorStart a Chat
A single bill of lading may lead to higher customs clearance efficiency at some ports due to simpler customs declaration information. However, regulations may vary in different port areas, so it is necessary to understand them in advance.
Emma ZhaoYears of service：3Customer Rating：5.0
Export Documentation SpecialistStart a Chat
When using a single bill of lading, the principal is more reliant on the agency for after-sales services after the goods are exported. For example, in cases of inspection, the agency will essentially handle it.
Thomas LiYears of service：7Customer Rating：5.0
Import Licensing AdvisorStart a Chat
From a financial perspective, accounting for a single bill of lading is relatively simple because the fund flow primarily goes through the agency, which facilitates unified accounting, but proper account reconciliation is necessary.
Robert TanYears of service：5Customer Rating：5.0
International Market Development AdvisorStart a Chat
A single bill of lading is a good choice for principals who are new to export and unfamiliar with the process. The one-stop service provided by the agency can reduce a lot of trouble.
Olivia LiuYears of service：6Customer Rating：5.0
Foreign Exchange Risk ManagerStart a Chat
Although a double bill of lading offers strong autonomy, it can sometimes affect operational efficiency due to communication and coordination issues between both parties. A single bill of lading has a relative advantage in this regard, with more direct instruction transmission.