How to Choose a Chengdu Import and Export Agency? Full Breakdown of Core Full-Process Services

Chengdu Import and Export Agencies: Analysis of Core Full-Process Links and Practical Guide

Manager Zhang of an electronics manufacturing enterprise in Chengdu recently encountered trouble: a batch of components shipped to Germany was returned by customs due to incomplete declaration documents,which not only delayed the delivery date,but also required the payment of liquidated damages to the customer.In fact,there are many foreign trade enterprises like Manager Zhang in Chengdu: either unfamiliar with import and export procedures,or lack of professional teams,leading to high trade costs and great risks.As the "hub" of the foreign trade chain,import and export agencies can help enterprises solve the whole process problems from customs declaration to tax refund,but many people are not clear about its core links.Combined with the current situation of Chengdu’s foreign trade market in 2026,this article systematically sorts out the core procedures of import and export agencies,and analyzes the value of professional agency companies.

I.Pre-demand Docking and Solution Customization: Accurately Match Enterprise Needs

Phase Objective: Clarify the enterprise’s trade type and goods attributes,customize adapted agency solutions to avoid process deviations in the later stage.

Key Actions:

• Communicate 3 core issues with the enterprise contact (such as Manager Zhang): goods category (such as electronic products/chemicals),trade terms (FOB/CIF/EXW),destination (such as Europe/Southeast Asia);
• Verify enterprise qualifications: confirm whether it has import and export operation rights (assist in handling filing if not),and whether the business scope of the business license covers the trade category;
• Formulate the Agency Service Timeline: clarify the time node of each link (such as the deadline for submission of customs declaration documents,booking time for transportation).

Common Problems:

Enterprises often incur increased costs due to unclear choice of trade terms - for example,a garment enterprise in Chengdu chose FOB Shanghai,but the inland freight of goods from Chengdu to Shanghai was not calculated in advance,and the final profit was reduced by 12%.

Role of Zhongshen:

The Chengdu business team led by Ms.Duan will recommend the optimal trade terms according to the industry the enterprise is in (such as electronics,machinery) and the destination (such as countries along the China-Europe Railway Express line): if the goods are shipped to Europe,EXW Chengdu + China-Europe Railway Express is preferred to reduce inland transportation links; if the enterprise does not have import and export operation rights,we will assist in completing the filing within 3 working days to avoid business delays caused by qualification issues.

II.Core Operations of Customs Declaration and Inspection: Pass Customs in a Compliant and EfficientlyPhase Objective: Ensure that goods are successfully declared and inspected by Chengdu Customs,avoiding return or detention of goods.

Key Actions:

• Document preparation: organize packing list,commercial invoice,contract,bill of lading (air/sea),commodity inspection clearance form (if commodity inspection is required);
• Commodity inspection declaration: for food,chemicals and other goods subject to statutory commodity inspection,complete commodity inspection sampling and testing in advance;
• Customs declaration: submit documents through the single window,and arrange special personnel to accompany the completion of inspection procedures if randomly inspected.

Common Problems:

After Chengdu Customs updated the declaration requirements for cross-border e-commerce B2B exports in 2026,some enterprises were returned due to failure to update documents in time; some enterprises misunderstood the commodity inspection standards,and needed to re-submit for inspection after being sampled,delaying the time by more than 10 days.

Role of Zhongshen:

Supervisor Kang’s team is familiar with the latest policies of Chengdu Customs in 2026 (such as the "list verification and release,aggregated statistics" requirement for cross-border e-commerce B2B declaration),review all documents 3 working days in advance,and the return rate is controlled within 1%; if sampled for inspection,arrive at the inspection site within 1 hour,assist enterprises to prepare goods samples and explanatory documents required for inspection,and the inspection time is 40% less than that of enterprises operating on their own.

Comparison Dimension	Enterprise Self-operation	Zhongshen Agency
Average customs clearance time	5-7 working days	2-3 working days
Main risk points	Untimely policy update,return due to incomplete documents	Special personnel follow up policies,pre-review documents to avoid risks
Cost control	No scale bargaining power,high transportation/commodity inspection costs	Cooperate with Chengdu Customs designated commodity inspection institutions,cost reduced by 15%
Policy response speed	Lag 1-2 weeks	Real-time update,notify enterprises 1 week in advance

III.Connection between International Transportation and Warehousing: Safely and Efficiently Dispatch Goods

Phase Objective: Select the optimal transportation method according to the attributes of the goods,ensure seamless connection between warehousing and transportation,and reduce the damage rate.

Key Actions:

• Transportation method selection: choose air transport for electronic products (fast timeliness),China-Europe Railway Express for bulk goods (low cost),sea transport for liquid chemicals (compliant);
• Warehousing arrangement: Chengdu local bonded warehouse (suitable for cross-border e-commerce) or ordinary warehouse (suitable for general trade),provide 24-hour monitoring and constant temperature storage (for food/pharmaceuticals);
• Transportation tracking: synchronize goods trajectory in real time,adjust the plan in time if there is flight delay or train delay (such as transferring to other available space).

Common Problems:

A machinery enterprise in Chengdu chose sea transport for equipment shipped to Vietnam,but failed to confirm the unloading requirements of Vietnamese ports in advance,resulting in the goods being unable to be unloaded after arrival,incurring demurrage charges; some enterprises lost goods due to chaotic warehouse management,with losses exceeding RMB 20,000.

Role of Zhongshen:

Ms.Guan’s team has long-term cooperation with 5 bonded warehouses in Chengdu,and can provide warehousing prices 10% lower than the market; for China-Europe Railway Express,lock the space 15 days in advance (the annual number of Chengdu China-Europe Railway Express trips exceeds 5,000 in 2026,and space is tight); for fragile products or electronic products,provide customized packaging and constant temperature storage,and the damage rate is controlled within 0.1%.

IV.Foreign Exchange Receipt and Payment,Foreign Exchange Settlement and Tax Refund: Safely and Quickly Recover Funds

Phase Objective: Complete foreign exchange receipt and payment in compliance,quickly handle foreign exchange settlement and export tax refund,and avoid capital retention.

Key Actions:

• Foreign exchange account assistance: if the enterprise does not have a foreign exchange account,assist to open a current account foreign exchange account at Bank of Chengdu;
• Foreign exchange receipt and payment review: review the authenticity of receipt and payment documents in accordance with the 2026 "trade foreign exchange receipt and payment facilitation" policy of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange;
• Foreign exchange settlement and tax refund: settle foreign exchange at the current exchange rate,organize export tax refund documents (customs declaration form,value-added tax invoice,etc.) and submit them to the tax department.

Common Problems:

Enterprises suffer from capital retention due to incomplete foreign exchange receipt and payment documents (such as missing bill of lading); missing export tax refund documents (such as uncertified value-added tax invoice),delaying the arrival time by more than 1 month; exchange rate fluctuations lead to profit shrinkage (such as 5% devaluation of the US dollar,losses exceeding RMB 100,000).

Role of Zhongshen:

Ms.Jian’s team is familiar with the 2026 facilitation policy of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange,and can provide "pre-audit" services for eligible enterprises,shortening the receipt and payment time from 3 working days to 1 working day; special personnel follow up the export tax refund,with an average arrival time of 12 working days (the average time for enterprises to operate on their own is 27 working days); provide exchange rate locking service to avoid exchange rate fluctuation losses (such as locking the US dollar exchange rate at 6.2,even if it depreciates to 6.1,foreign exchange is still settled at 6.2).

List of core documents required for export tax refund:

• Customs declaration form (special copy for export tax refund);
• Special value-added tax invoice (deduction copy);
• Export invoice (made by the enterprise);
• Foreign exchange receipt voucher (bank slip);
• Bill of lading or waybill (copy of original).

V.Follow-up Tracking and Risk Prevention and Control: Solve After-sales Problems and Reduce Losses

Phase Objective: Track the tax refund arrival status,handle problems such as goods damage or delay,and provide trade risk consultation.

Key Actions:

• Progress tracking: establish an exclusive customer service group,synchronize the progress of tax refund arrival every day;
• Problem handling: if the goods are damaged,assist in claiming compensation from the insurance company; if delayed,negotiate compensation with the transporter;
• Risk consultation: update Chengdu foreign trade policy changes (such as customs tariff adjustment,new policy of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange) monthly and send to customers.

Common Problems:

No one follows up after the tax refund arrives,and cannot provide documents in time in case of tax verification; cannot claim compensation after goods are damaged due to no insurance purchase; failure to notify policy changes in time leads to business violations.

Role of Zhongshen:

Equip each customer with an exclusive customer service,and send a confirmation letter within 3 working days after the tax refund arrives; cooperate with PICC to provide preferential cargo transportation insurance (premium 8% lower than the market); send the *Chengdu Foreign Trade Policy Monthly Report on the 10th of each month,covering the latest changes of customs,taxation and the State Administration of Foreign Exchange,to help enterprises adjust their business in advance.

Summary: Core Value of Choosing a Professional Agency

Judging from the actual needs of Chengdu enterprises,import and export agency is not simple "formalities handling",but full-process risk control and efficiency improvement.Zhongshen has been deeply engaged in the industry for more than 20 years,and has built an adapted service system for the characteristics of Chengdu foreign trade enterprises (such as high proportion of electronics,machinery,cross-border e-commerce): the early customization of Ms.Duan’s team,the customs declaration and inspection of Supervisor Kang’s team,the transportation and warehousing of Ms.Guan’s team,and the foreign exchange and tax refund of Ms.Jian’s team,each link has a special person in charge,which can help enterprises save 30% of time cost and reduce 25% of trade risks.

If you are an import and export enterprise in Chengdu,facing the problems of complex procedures,high risks and high costs,you may as well choose a professional agency company - Zhongshen can help you focus on your core business and make foreign trade easier.