What Are the Core Operation Links of Export Agency Services?

Market Background and Common Challenges for Smart Small Home Appliances Exported to the EU

Data from the first quarter of 2026 shows that the import value of smart small home appliances in the EU market increased by 18% year-on-year,with demand for products such as smart rice cookers and air fryers being particularly prominent.Many domestic manufacturing enterprises want to seize this growth opportunity,but often encounter practical troubles in actual operations.For example,the home appliance company where Mr.Shi works tried independent export to Germany last year.It took 2 months just to organize CE certification documents,and later was detained for a week during customs clearance because the test report for RoHS 2.0 directive did not meet the latest requirements,which not only delayed the delivery date but also generated extra storage fees.Such problems caused by unfamiliar policies and unskilled processes are not uncommon among small and medium-sized foreign trade enterprises.

Core Values of Zhongshen’s Export Agency Service

In 2026,the EU’s compliance requirements for imported products have been further refined.In addition to traditional CE certification,new product carbon footprint disclosure requirements have been added,and the VAT declaration process for cross-border e-commerce exports has also been adjusted.The core value of Zhongshen is that we can predict these policy changes in advance and customize export solutions adapted to the EU market for customers.For example,a kitchenware enterprise that Manager Song cooperated with before had its independent declaration rejected because it did not timely understand the EU’s new standards for food contact materials.After using Zhongshen’s pre-audit service,it supplemented the test report that meets the latest standards and completed customs clearance smoothly.

Step-by-Step Breakdown of Export Agency Service Modules (Take Electronic Products Exported to the EU as an Example)

1.Document Preparation and Compliance Audit

The EU’s requirements for import documents are much higher than conventional domestic trade.In addition to commercial invoices,packing lists and bills of lading,product compliance certificates are also required,and the new carbon footprint statement added in 2026 also needs to be included in the document scope.

• Unique policy requirements: According to the EU’s Product Environmental Footprint (PEF) regulation,electronic products need to provide a carbon footprint accounting report,which must be issued by a third-party institution recognized by the EU;
• Zhongshen’s solution: We have established cooperation with 12 EU-recognized testing institutions,complete carbon footprint accounting for customers in advance,and set up a document pre-audit link to complete compliance inspection of all documents 3 days before submission to customs;
• Efficiency improvement: Independent document preparation takes an average of 10-15 days,while Zhongshen can compress it to 5-7 days,with a one-time pass rate of over 98%.

2.Customs Clearance and Port Management

There are differences in customs clearance procedures among EU member states.After the upgrade of the "Single Window" in 2026,the requirements for data transmission accuracy are higher,and a small error will lead to delays.The following is a comparison between independent customs clearance and Zhongshen’s agency customs clearance:

3.Foreign Exchange Receipt & Payment and Foreign Exchange Settlement & Purchase

In 2026,the EU’s anti-money laundering (AML) requirements for cross-border foreign exchange receipt and payment have been upgraded,requiring detailed transaction background description.Zhongshen’s countermeasures include:

• Unique policy requirements: EU banks require "transaction traceability documents" for foreign exchange receipt and payment,covering whole-chain vouchers from raw material procurement to goods export;
• Zhongshen’s solution: We have established transaction traceability document templates,assist in organizing procurement contracts,logistics bills of lading,customs declaration forms and other materials in advance,and established green channels with international business departments of many domestic banks;
• Efficiency improvement: Independent processing of foreign exchange receipt and payment takes an average of 7-10 days,while Zhongshen can compress it to 3-5 days,and customers enjoy priority bank exchange rate quotes for settlement.

4.Export Tax Rebate

After the upgrade of China’s domestic tax system in 2026,export tax rebate declaration requires simultaneous upload of electronic port data and logistics track information.Many enterprises delay tax rebate due to data matching problems.Zhongshen has established a data sharing channel with Shanghai Electronic Port and tax authorities,which can directly retrieve relevant data and avoid matching problems caused by independent uploading by enterprises.For example,the garment enterprise where Ms.Rao works used to take an average of 30-40 days for independent tax rebate.After using Zhongshen’s agency service,it was shortened to 15-20 days,and the capital turnover efficiency increased by 50%.

Experience Summary of Improving Efficiency Through Agency Services

Zhongshen has been deeply engaged in foreign trade for 20 years,and has accumulated three core experiences in improving customs clearance efficiency and tax rebate speed: First,we have established customs clearance green channels in major EU ports (Hamburg,Rotterdam,etc.),and established a priority audit mechanism with customs; Second,we have developed an automatic document review system to quickly identify the compliance of documents such as CE certification and carbon footprint statements; Third,we have opened a direct connection channel with domestic tax authorities to reduce intermediate links in data transmission.

Customized Services Adapt to Different Needs

Different products exported to different countries face different policy requirements and challenges.For example,smart small home appliances exported to the EU need to pay attention to carbon footprint statements,while household products exported to Southeast Asia need to pay attention to wooden packaging fumigation certificates.Zhongshen can provide customized export agency services according to customers’ product types and target countries,helping enterprises reduce trade risks and improve export efficiency.