The company has business needs for technical service export, but is unfamiliar with the process. It inquires whether technical service export can be handled by an agent and what precautions and risks are involved in choosing an agent. The best answer points out that technical service export can be handled by an agent, and when choosing an agent, one should consider their professional qualifications, reputation, and clarify fees, while also paying attention to cooperation risks and signing a detailed contract to protect rights.
Does Freight Forwarding Fall Under Service Exports?
Resolved
I've been researching trade-related knowledge recently and have some doubts about freight forwarding. I'd like to ask if freight forwarding is considered a service export. I know that service export refers to the export of services provided by one's own country to other countries or regions. Freight forwarders arrange cargo transportation for clients, which involves international logistics. This seems to touch upon the concept of service exports, but I'm not sure. Are there any knowledgeable friends who can explain it to me?
Trade Expert Insights Answers
Whether freight forwarding is a service export needs to be considered on a case-by-case basis. If the recipient of the freight forwarding service is an overseas client, and the service is actually rendered overseas, for instance, if Zhongmaoda arranges cargo transportation services from one overseas port to another overseas port for a foreign company, this situation can be recognized as a service export. This is because it meets the conditions of the service provider and recipient being overseas, and the service actually taking place overseas.
However, if the recipient of the freight forwarding service is an overseas client, but the service is actually rendered domestically, such as Zhongmaoda arranging cargo transportation for a foreign company originating from a domestic port, this is not considered a service export. Additionally, if the service recipient is a domestic client, regardless of whether the transportation route involves domestic or international destinations, it does not constitute a service export. Therefore, determining whether freight forwarding is a service export hinges on factors such as the service recipient and the place of occurrence.
Generally speaking, solely soliciting cargo domestically and then being responsible for transporting it to an overseas port is not considered a service export, as the primary service action of soliciting cargo occurs domestically.
If a freight forwarding company has established a branch overseas and provides freight forwarding services to local clients, this portion can be considered a service export.
When making the determination, relevant policy regulations should also be consulted, as different regions may have variations in the specifics of recognizing service exports.
For situations where the entire process is overseas, and only domestic freight forwarding companies are entrusted to handle the procedures, it is considered a service export.
If the service is merely arranging transportation to a foreign country for a domestic exporting company, it is not considered a service export because the service recipient is a domestic company.
When a freight forwarding company provides door-to-door service to an overseas client, and the entire cargo transportation takes place overseas, it is a service export.
From a tax perspective, if the conditions for tax preferential policies for export services are met, it may be recognized as a service export.
If the service content is primarily completed domestically, even if the cargo is ultimately transported abroad, it is difficult to classify it as a service export.