The company plans to engage in import and export agency business and asks about the required conditions, including qualifications and procedural requirements. The best answer points out that generally, one needs to be legally registered with a business license covering relevant businesses, complete customs filing, register with the foreign exchange income and expenditure directory, obtain an electronic port card, and possess special permits for specific goods.
What are the procedures required for import and export agency, does anyone know?
Resolved
Our company plans to find an import and export agent to help handle import and export business, but we have no prior experience in this area and are unsure about the specific procedures required. I would like to ask everyone, what procedures are generally required when hiring an import and export agent? Do we prepare them ourselves, or does the agency company help with them? I hope that friends who understand can elaborate, thank you!
Trade Expert Insights Answers
When hiring an import and export agent, both parties should first sign an agency agreement to clarify their respective rights and obligations, including agency fees, scope of services, etc. Subsequently, your company needs to provide detailed cargo information, such as product name, quantity, value, specifications, etc., to facilitate the agent's customs declaration operations. For customs declaration, the agency company will generally assist in preparing the required documents, such as customs declaration forms, commercial invoices, packing lists, contracts, etc. Your company needs to ensure that the information in these documents is true and accurate. If the cargo involves special regulatory conditions, such as licenses, inspection and quarantine, etc., relevant procedures must also be handled according to requirements, and some may require your company to cooperate by providing qualification documents. For transportation arrangements, the agent can help with booking space and arranging transportation, but your company needs to confirm the transportation details. Finally, in the settlement stage, timely reconciliation of fees with the agent and completion of payment are required.
In summary, some procedures are led by the agency company, while others require your company's cooperation in providing materials or qualifications.
Generally, you need to prepare detailed information about the goods, such as product manuals, to help the agent determine product classification and handle customs declaration procedures. Additionally, communicate clearly with the agent about payment methods to avoid subsequent settlement issues.
Don't forget to provide relevant qualification documents such as your company's business license. This proves your company's legal operating status, and the agent will need these documents for record-keeping during operations.
If the goods require inspection and quarantine, you must contact the agent in advance and prepare the relevant inspection application materials to ensure that the goods can pass inspection smoothly and enter the market.
Prepare the trade contract. The contract terms should be clear and define the responsibilities of both parties. Many of the agent's subsequent customs declaration operations will be based on the contract content.
Confirm the delivery location and time with the agent to ensure that the goods can be exported on time, otherwise it may affect the entire import and export process.
If tax refunds are involved, you need to understand the agency company's operational procedures for tax refunds in advance, and you also need to prepare the necessary materials for tax refunds.
Provide accurate packing information, such as the detailed list of goods in each box, the dimensions and weight of the boxes, to facilitate the agent's arrangement of transportation and loading/unloading.
For some special goods, such as dangerous goods, you need to inform the agent in advance so that they are aware of the need to handle special transportation and declaration procedures.