A company plans to engage in agency export business. Information online is conflicting, leading to confusion about whether import and export rights are needed for agency export. The best answer indicates that agency export usually requires import and export rights. From an operational perspective, contracts, customs declarations, and foreign exchange collection must be handled in the name of the agent. Without import and export rights, these cannot be completed. Although special circumstances may differ, having import and export rights is more secure.

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Are Import and Export Agents Reliable? How to Evaluate Them?
Due to import and export business needs, I don't know how to evaluate import and export agents. I hope to understand how to objectively and comprehensively evaluate them from which aspects. The best answer points out that it can be considered from aspects such as professional capability, service quality, fee standards, company reputation, and resource integration capability. Professional capability is reflected in familiarity with processes and regulations; service should be high-quality throughout; fees should be reasonable and transparent; reputation can be judged by word-of-mouth; strong resource integration leads to efficiency, and a combination of these factors can help select a reliable agent.
Does import and export agency fall under the service industry? Let's discuss!
Interested in industry classification within the business realm, inquiring whether import and export agencies belong to the service industry, stating that no one around can provide a clear answer. The best answer indicates that from the nature of the business and the services provided, import and export agencies primarily offer agency services related to import and export, covering multiple aspects such as customs declaration and inspection, to meet specific customer needs, possessing significant characteristics of the service industry and should be classified under the service industry category.
Want to be an import and export trade agent but don't know where to start? Come ask me!
Expresses interest in import and export trade agency but is a novice, unsure where to start, and asks about the necessary qualifications, process, and precautions. The best answer indicates that one needs to possess professional knowledge, obtain relevant qualifications, and establish a supply chain. The operation process involves a series of tasks after accepting a commission, and it's also necessary to pay attention to contract clauses and monitor exchange rate fluctuations.
In agency export business, who collects and who pays?
The company intends to engage in agency export business and has doubts about who collects and pays in agency export. It wants to understand whether the agent or the principal collects and pays in actual operations. The best answer states that agency export usually follows this principle, with the agent generally collecting payments, deducting fees, and then remitting to the principal. Payments depend on procurement situations; if the agent procures, the agent pays, and if the principal procures, the principal pays.
Why is Import and Export Agency Difficult? What are the Key Factors?
Planning to get involved in import and export agency business, heard it's difficult, want to understand the reasons. The best answer points out that import and export agency is difficult due to complex and changing policies and regulations, requiring companies to pay constant attention; fierce market competition with serious service homogenization; large capital pressure and long turnover cycles; and uncontrollable logistics and transportation risks, leading to potential cargo damage or delays.
Trade Expert Insights Answers
Regarding tax payment for import and export agency fees, it typically falls under brokerage and agency services within the modern services industry. General taxpayers are subject to a tax rate of 6%, and small-scale taxpayers are subject to a collection rate of 3% (which may be adjusted during periods of preferential policies).
In terms of the tax payment process, it is generally declared and paid through the electronic tax bureau within the monthly or quarterly reporting period. The main documents required are contracts, invoices, and other relevant documents related to agency fees, which are used to prove the authenticity and amount of the business.
If you are withholding VAT for foreign companies on import and export agency fees, you will also need to provide relevant contracts, payment vouchers, and other documents, and submit them together during the withholding tax declaration. In terms of accounting treatment, it is important to accurately calculate agency fee income and the corresponding output VAT. In summary, accurately grasping the tax categories and rates, declaring according to the prescribed procedures, and preparing the necessary documents are key to correctly paying taxes related to import and export agency fees.
For paying taxes on import and export agency fees, it depends on whether the company is a general taxpayer or a small-scale taxpayer. General taxpayers calculate VAT at 6%, and small-scale taxpayers at 3%. For declaration, you can normally declare through the electronic tax bureau every month, which is not difficult.
The tax payment process is not complicated. Operate on the electronic tax bureau and fill in the data according to the prompts. Regarding documents, the contract is definitely required to prove the business situation, and the invoice should also be kept, as it is the basis for tax calculation.
Generally, taxes are paid as brokerage and agency services. Small-scale taxpayers have tax preferential policies, and sometimes they can be levied at a reduced rate of 1%, depending on the policy at the time.
In addition to VAT, paying taxes on import and export agency fees may also involve surtaxes, such as urban maintenance and construction tax, and education surcharge, which are levied as a certain proportion of the VAT amount.
It is important to accurately account for agency fees and not mix them with other businesses, otherwise, tax declaration may lead to errors and potential tax risks.
If foreign agents are involved, pay attention to the regulations on withholding at the source and withhold relevant taxes and fees as required.
The tax rate is generally as stated, but if there are special tax policies, such as some regional preferential policies, then the preferential policies should be followed.
Before declaring taxes, it is best to carefully check the agency fee data to ensure consistency with contracts and invoices, and to avoid declaration errors.