Want to import books from abroad, but don't know how to find an agent. Can knowledgeable friends offer advice?

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I recently need to import a batch of books from abroad, but I'm completely unfamiliar with the process and precautions for importing books through an agent. I'd like to ask everyone, if I'm looking for an agent to import books from abroad, what should I do? What key aspects should I pay attention to? I hope to receive detailed and practical answers, thank you!
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To import books from abroad via an agent, first find a professional and qualified agency, such as Zhongmaoda. The agency needs to be familiar with relevant policies and regulations for book imports, as book imports are subject to strict content review and other regulations.

Secondly, clarify the cooperation details with the agent, including agency fees, scope of services, etc. Agency fees are generally calculated comprehensively based on cargo value, quantity, etc. The scope of services covers liaising with foreign suppliers, booking and transportation, customs declaration and inspection, domestic distribution, etc.

Furthermore, provide detailed and accurate book information to the agent, such as title, author, publication date, ISBN, content summary, etc., to facilitate the agent in handling relevant procedures. At the same time, prepare necessary documents such as contracts, invoices, and packing lists. The agent will use this information to declare to relevant departments and obtain approval documents, completing the import process.

References: Import Onshore Re-export Trade: Do You Know How to Leverage It?

When looking for an import book agent, check if they have experience in handling various complex situations, such as how quickly they can respond to and resolve customs inspections.

Understand the agent's cooperation with domestic and international logistics providers to ensure smooth transportation and prevent books from being damaged or delayed.

You can compare several agents, check their reputation, and get real reviews through industry forums and peer recommendations.

When communicating with the agent, confirm their efficiency in handling documents, as import books involve many documents, and low efficiency will cause delays.

Pay attention to whether the agent has personnel familiar with customs book valuation, as reasonable valuation can avoid overpaying taxes.

It's best for import book agents to have their own warehousing facilities, to facilitate temporary storage and organization of goods, reducing subsequent hassle.

Check if the agent can provide value-added services, such as assisting with book market research, which can be beneficial for business development.

Verify the agent's ability to deal with publishers or copyright holders, as copyright-related issues may sometimes need to be addressed.

User-submitted questions and answers reflect personal opinions, not the official stance of this website.

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