---
title: "Status of Import and Export Agency in 2026: Is It Easy to Operate? What Are the Core Challenges? - Zhongshen Trading China"
description: "In 2026，the restructuring of global supply chains is accelerating，and the dependence of Chinese foreign trade enterprises on import and export agencies continues to rise. However，many practitioners still wonder "Is import and export agency easy to operate now". The core issue lies in the balance between process complexity and compliance risk. Manager Jiang from Zhongshen pointed out that the difficulty of agency business in 2026 has shifted from basic operations to cross-border complia..."
url: "https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/agency-knowledge/2026-import-export-agency-status-is-it-easy-key-challenges.html"
language: "en"
type: "Article"
category: "Agent Knowledge"
datePublished: "2026-10-03"
dateModified: "2026-10-03"
brand: "Zhongshen Trading China"
image: "https://cndpic.sh-zhongshen.com/uploads/tradepics/6Vzv7V5lCFNYV.webp"
---

# Status of Import and Export Agency in 2026: Is It Easy to Operate? What Are the Core Challenges?

## Import and Export Agency in 2026: Is It Easy to Operate?Core Pain Points and Solutions From the Process Perspective

In 2026,many foreign trade practitioners in Shanghai are asking: Is import and export agency easy to operate now?In fact,import and export agency is the "connecting hub" in the foreign trade chain.From factory preparation to overseas cargo receipt,core links such as customs declaration and inspection,international transportation,and foreign exchange collection and payment all rely on the overall coordination of the agency.Once any link goes wrong,it may lead to cargo detention at the port,tax refund delay,and even compliance penalties.Next,based on the practical experience of Zhongshen,we will break down the core process of import and export agency in 2026,find out which links are the key,and what problems the agency can help customers solve.

![Status of Import and Export Agency in 2026: Is It Easy to Operate? What Are the Core Challenges?](https://cndpic.sh-zhongshen.com/uploads/tradepics/6Vzv7V5lCFNYV.webp)

### 1.Preparatory Work and Demand Docking: Accurate Matching is the Starting Point of Efficiency

The goal of this stage is to clarify the customer’s foreign trade demand and avoid early information errors.If the demand docking is ambiguous,every subsequent link may go off track.

**Key Actions**:

- Manager Jiang docks with customers to confirm cargo HS code,port of departure/port of destination,and mode of transportation (sea/air/land)
- Review basic documents provided by customers including contracts,invoices,packing lists
- Confirm the scope of agency services (whether warehousing,tax refund,etc.are included)

**Common Issues**:

- Customers misreport HS code,leading to subsequent customs declaration risks
- Improper selection of transportation mode increases logistics costs
- Unclear scope of agency services leads to extra charges in the later stage

**Role of Zhongshen**: Zhongshen has connected to the latest HS code database of China Customs in 2026,and Manager Jiang’s team can check the code accuracy in advance.Last year,our client Mr.Qiao misreported lithium batteries as ordinary batteries,and Zhongshen corrected it in time to avoid customs penalties.We recommend optimal solutions based on different cargo attributes.For example,for the frozen seafood exported by Ms.Zou,we suggested choosing cold chain sea transportation,which reduced the cost by 30% compared with air transportation,and the cargo damage rate was controlled within 0.1%.

### 2.Customs Declaration,Inspection and Compliance Review: Core Difficulty in 2026

![Zhongshen: Is Import and Export Agency Easy to Operate in 2026? Analysis of Key Links](https://cndpic.sh-zhongshen.com/uploads/tradepics/6Wf69h1cMefSl.webp)

In 2026,customs compliance review for cross-border trade continues to tighten,and the inspection rate has increased by 12% compared with 2025.The goal of this stage is to ensure smooth cargo customs clearance and avoid delays or penalties.

**Key Actions**:

- Organize customs declaration documents (contracts,invoices,packing lists,bills of lading,inspection certificates,etc.)
- Submit customs declaration and follow up the inspection progress
- Handle product testing requirements in the commodity inspection link (such as safety testing of food contact materials)

**Common Issues**:

- Incomplete documents lead to declaration rejection,extending customs clearance time (average delay of 3-5 days)
- After the update of RCEP rules of origin,some enterprises are rejected due to inconsistent certificate of origin
- Non-standard declaration of dangerous goods leads to customs cargo detention

**Role of Zhongshen**: The customs declaration team led by Manager Weng is familiar with the latest 2026 RCEP rules of origin,and the one-time document passing rate reaches 98%.For inspection risks,we prepare supplementary materials for customers in advance.Last year,the electronic enterprise cooperated by Manager Fang passed the inspection smoothly because Zhongshen checked the 3C certification in advance,which was 3 working days faster than industry peers.

### 3.International Transportation and Warehousing Connection: Balance Between Shipping Space and Cost

In 2026,the global shipping space gap reaches 8%,and the Southeast Asia route is particularly tight.The goal of this stage is to ensure cargo transportation safety and reduce logistics costs.

**Key Actions**:

- Dock with shipping companies/airlines for booking and confirm shipping space
- Arrange warehouse pickup,container loading and monitor transportation trajectory
- Handle destination port customs clearance connection (such as document exchange,delivery notice)

**Common Issues**:

- Tight shipping space leads to cargo detention,with a maximum delay of 10 days in peak season
- Improper warehouse management leads to a breakage rate of 2% for fragile goods (industry average)
- Non-transparent destination port miscellaneous fees incur extra costs

**Role of Zhongshen**: We have signed long-term cooperation agreements with 12 mainstream shipping companies,and the shipping space guarantee rate reaches 95% in 2026.Last year,the textiles exported by Mr.Jiang avoided tight shipping space in peak season because we locked the space in advance.We own Shanghai bonded warehouses and general warehouses,and can provide customized packaging (such as cushioning packaging for fragile goods),with cargo damage rate controlled below 0.1%.The following is the cost and timeliness comparison of different transportation modes in 2026:

| Transportation Mode | Average Cost 2026 (CNY/ton) | Timeliness (Shanghai - Southeast Asia) | Applicable Cargo Type |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Sea Freight | 1200-1800 | 7-12 days | Bulk cargo,general cargo |
| Air Freight | 8000-12000 | 2-5 days | Fresh produce,high-value cargo |
| Land Transport (China-Europe Railway Express) | 3500-5000 | 15-20 days | China-Europe cross-border cargo,bulky cargo |

### 4.Foreign Exchange Collection and Payment and Tax Refund Implementation: Core Guarantee for Capital Turnover

In 2026,foreign exchange management policies are further liberalized for convenience,but some enterprises face capital freezing due to non-standard operation.The goal of this stage is to ensure capital security and speed up tax refund arrival.

**Key Actions**:

- Assist customers to open foreign exchange accounts and handle cross-border collection and payment
- Review tax refund documents (customs declaration forms,VAT invoices,etc.)
- Submit tax refund applications to tax authorities and follow up the approval progress

**Common Issues**:

- Non-standard foreign exchange collection and payment process leads to capital freezing (average freezing period of 3-7 days)
- Inconsistent information between invoices and customs declaration forms leads to rejection of tax refund applications
- Overlong tax refund cycle affects enterprise capital turnover

**Role of Zhongshen**: The foreign exchange team led by Manager Fang is familiar with the new 2026 capital account facilitation regulations,and the arrival time of collection and payment is shortened to 1-3 working days.We check tax refund documents in advance to ensure consistent information between invoices and customs declaration forms,with a 100% tax refund approval rate.Last year,for the furniture exported by Mr.Qiao,the tax refund arrival time was 10 working days faster than self-handling through Zhongshen’s service.

## Conclusion: The Key to Making Import and Export Agency "Easy to Operate" in 2026

Whether import and export agency is "easy to operate" in 2026 never depends on whether the process is simple,but on whether it can solve core pain points: compliance risk avoidance,cost control,capital turnover efficiency.Zhongshen has been deeply engaged in the industry for more than 20 years,and has a mature operation system in every link: accurate demand docking in the early stage,efficient and compliant customs declaration,guaranteed shipping space and safety in transportation,and accelerated capital turnover through professional foreign exchange and tax refund services.For example,Ms.Zou,who cooperated with us last year,not only saved 25% of logistics costs through Zhongshen’s one-stop service,but also shortened the tax refund arrival time by half.

If you are still wondering whether import and export agency is easy to operate now,you can contact the professional consultants of Zhongshen,let our 20 years of industry experience help you avoid risks and improve your foreign trade efficiency.

## Related Resources
- [Agent Knowledge](https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/agency-knowledge/)
- [Trade Services](https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/services/)
- [Trade Cases](https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/cases/)
- [Trade Wiki](https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/wiki/)
- [Trade Class](https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/guide/)
- [Global Trade Services](https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/country/)
- [Trade Q&A Hub](https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/qa/)

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