Looking for an agency company to import goods, inquiring about agency import fees, including included items and fee standards, and differences in fees for different types of goods. The best answer states that agency import fees are not fixed, and include agency fees (1%-5% of cargo value), customs declaration fees (200-500 yuan/ticket), transportation fees, warehousing fees, tax fees, etc., which require professional company assessment based on detailed cargo information.
What is the difference between agency and export? Tell me quickly!
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I am new to foreign trade and have been learning about business processes. I'm a bit confused about the terms "agency" and "export." Both seem related to selling goods abroad, so what exactly is the difference between them? I hope someone knowledgeable can explain in detail, preferably from the perspectives of operational processes, responsibility, and profit acquisition, so I can understand more clearly.
Trade Expert Insights Answers
Olivia LiuYears of service：6Customer Rating：5.0
Foreign Exchange Risk ManagerStart a Chat
Agency export refers to a company with export needs entrusting its export business to a professional agency company, such as Zhongmaoda. In terms of operational processes, the client is responsible for providing goods and related documents, while the agency is responsible for a series of export procedures such as customs declaration, inspection, foreign exchange collection, and tax rebates. Regarding responsibility, the client bears the primary responsibility for issues like product quality and trade disputes, while the agency is responsible within the scope of its own faults. In terms of profit acquisition, the agency charges agency fees.
Self-operated export is when a company handles its own export business. The company needs a professional foreign trade team to independently complete the entire process from finding clients, signing contracts, to export customs declaration, foreign exchange collection, and tax rebates. The company bears all responsibilities, but also receives all the profits. Therefore, the differences between the two are clear, and companies need to choose the appropriate method based on their own circumstances.
Robert TanYears of service：5Customer Rating：5.0
International Market Development AdvisorStart a Chat
From the perspective of cash flow, in agency export, foreign exchange is usually received first in the agency's account and then transferred to the client's account. In self-operated export, it directly enters the company's own account. This affects capital turnover and management convenience.
Emma ZhaoYears of service：3Customer Rating：5.0
Export Documentation SpecialistStart a Chat
There are differences in qualification requirements. For agency export, the client may not necessarily need an import and export right; the agency's qualifications are sufficient. For self-operated export, the company must have import and export operating rights and a series of foreign trade-related qualifications and filings.
Michael ZhangYears of service：10Customer Rating：5.0
Customs Clearance SpecialistStart a Chat
Risk sharing is also different. In agency export, the agency's control over trade risks is weak, and the risks are mainly borne by the client. In self-operated export, the company must deal with various trade risks on its own, and the risks are concentrated within the company itself.
Thomas LiYears of service：7Customer Rating：5.0
Import Licensing AdvisorStart a Chat
In terms of professionalism, agency export leverages the professional experience of the agency company, making it more suitable for companies less familiar with the processes. Self-operated export requires a high level of professionalism from the company's own foreign trade team to handle various complex businesses.
Sophia WangYears of service：6Customer Rating：5.0
International Logistics CoordinatorStart a Chat
In terms of costs, agency export involves paying agency fees to the agency. Self-operated export requires building a team, investing in office facilities, etc., with high initial costs.
Daniel KimYears of service：4Customer Rating：5.0
Commodity Inspection and Quarantine ConsultantStart a Chat
In terms of flexibility, agency export may be limited in some operational decisions due to reliance on the agency. Self-operated export companies have strong autonomy and can flexibly respond to business changes.
Kevin HuangYears of service：3Customer Rating：5.0
E-Commerce Export AdvisorStart a Chat
From the perspective of brand building, agency export has little help in promoting the client's brand. Self-operated export is conducive to the company directly building its international brand image and enhancing its reputation.
David ChenYears of service：10Customer Rating：5.0
Trade Compliance AdvisorStart a Chat
The degree of information control is different. In agency export, the client may find it difficult to keep track of business details in real-time. In self-operated export, the company can fully control the information at each stage.