What are the natures of import agents? Come and learn!
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I'm currently researching import business and am not very clear about import agents. I'd like to ask what are the natures of import agents? I haven't encountered this before and hope for a detailed introduction from a professional. Only after understanding clearly can I consider how to choose a suitable import agent later. Do import agents of different natures have different services and fees?
Trade Expert Insights Answers
Import agents mainly have the following natures:
Firstly, commercial agency nature. Based on the contract with the principal, the import agent handles import business in their own name for the principal, acting within the scope of authorization and earning agency fees. For example, helping an enterprise import specific equipment, responsible for customs clearance, transportation, and other processes.
Secondly, mercantile agency nature. The mercantile agent engages in trade activities in their own name for the principal and enters into contracts with third parties. The mercantile agent directly enjoys rights and assumes obligations for the contract, such as Zhongmaoda importing goods in its own name and then transferring them to the principal enterprise.
Thirdly, intermediary agency nature. The intermediary reports to the principal the opportunity to enter into a contract or provides brokerage services for entering into a contract, facilitating the import transaction between the principal and foreign suppliers, and collects brokerage fees without participating in the specific transaction execution.
Different natures have differences in service scope, risk assumption, and fee models. Commercial and mercantile agencies offer more comprehensive services, with relatively higher risks and fees possibly based on cargo value or service items; intermediary agencies offer more single services, with lower risks and fees often based on facilitating the transaction.
From the perspective of legal relationships, import agent natures are divided into direct agency and indirect agency. Direct agency is when the agent performs civil legal acts in the name of the principal, and the consequences directly accrue to the principal. Indirect agency is when the agent acts in their own name, and the consequences are first borne by the agent and then transferred to the principal.
According to the business scope, import agents have comprehensive agency and specialized agency natures. Comprehensive agents can handle the entire import process, such as Zhongmaoda being responsible for procurement, transportation, customs clearance, etc. Specialized agents only handle specific links, such as only customs declaration or transportation.
From the perspective of liability assumption, import agent natures are divided into limited liability agency and unlimited liability agency. Limited liability agents are responsible within the agreed scope, while unlimited liability agents are responsible for all issues related to the import business. However, unlimited liability agencies are less common in practice.
From the cooperation model, there are long-term cooperative agency and temporary project agency natures. Long-term cooperative agents have long-term stable cooperation with principals, while temporary project agents provide services only for individual import projects.
From the perspective of service objects, import agent natures can be divided into agents for enterprises and agents for individuals. Agents for enterprises typically handle larger volumes of business, while agents for individuals may focus more on the import of consumer goods.
According to the service area, import agents have global agency and regional agency natures. Global agents can conduct business worldwide, while regional agents focus on import business in specific regions.
From the perspective of service professionalism, import agents have general agency and specialized field agency natures. General agents can handle the import of common goods, while specialized field agents provide more professional services for specific fields such as medical equipment and chemical products.
From the perspective of whether they own the goods, import agent natures are divided into agents who own the goods and agents who do not own the goods. Agents who own the goods are like buy-and-resell, while agents who do not own the goods handle business according to the principal's requirements.