---
title: "Detailed Explanation of General Export Agency Process, Full Sorting of Foreign Trade Export Steps - Zhongshen Trading China"
description: "In 2026，the export demand of micro，small and medium-sized enterprises in Shanghai's foreign trade market increased by 18% year-on-year，but the complex export agency process often leads to delay losses for enterprises. The core proposition lies in how to sort out the process clearly to reduce risks. Manager Lin of Zhongshen points out that standardized processes can help enterprises save 30% of time costs. This article systematically breaks down the whole process to help enterprises complete..."
url: "https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/agency-knowledge/export-agent-general-process-detailed-full-export-steps.html"
language: "en"
type: "Article"
category: "Agent Knowledge"
datePublished: "2026-10-06"
dateModified: "2026-10-06"
brand: "Zhongshen Trading China"
image: "https://cndpic.sh-zhongshen.com/uploads/tradepics/KHqObqCdRxKnq.webp"
---

# Detailed Explanation of General Export Agency Process, Full Sorting of Foreign Trade Export Steps

Foreign trade export involves multiple cross-departmental links such as customs declaration,transportation and tax refund.In 2026,the export demand of micro,small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in Shanghai’s foreign trade market increased by 18% year-on-year,but most enterprises are unfamiliar with the process,which often leads to problems such as customs declaration rejection and tax refund delay.Clear sorting of export agency process is the key for enterprises to successfully complete foreign trade business and avoid risks.Zhongshen has been deeply engaged in the industry for more than 20 years.Combined with the latest 2026 foreign trade policies,it systematically sorts out the general export agency process to help enterprises accurately grasp the core points of each link.

## I.Pre-cooperation Docking Stage

![Detailed Explanation of General Export Agency Process, Full Sorting of Foreign Trade Export Steps](https://cndpic.sh-zhongshen.com/uploads/tradepics/KHqObqCdRxKnq.webp)

### Stage Objectives

Clarify the boundary of rights and responsibilities of both parties,confirm the basic information of export business,and lay a foundation for subsequent processes.

### Key Actions

- Clients provide export goods details: including core information such as HS code,quantity,unit price,total amount,packaging method,destination,etc.
- Manager Lin of Zhongshen is responsible for docking and review: verify whether the goods are within the scope of commodity inspection,whether quotas/licenses are required,and whether they comply with the import regulations of the destination country.
- Sign agency agreement: clarify service scope (customs declaration/transportation/tax refund,etc.),fee standards (agency fee/miscellaneous fees,etc.),and division of responsibilities (such as compensation clauses for losses caused by agency errors).

### Common Problems

- Wrong HS code classification by clients: The customs updated more than 1,200 commodity codes in 2026,and wrong classification can easily lead to customs declaration rejection.
- Incomplete goods qualification: For example,no health certificate for food products and no appraisal report for hazardous chemicals will directly affect the follow-up process.
- Vague agreement terms: The responsibilities of both parties are not clearly defined,which is easy to cause later disputes.

### Role of Zhongshen

Manager Lin will assist clients to accurately classify HS codes according to the latest 2026 coding rules and the actual attributes of goods,and complete code verification within 30 minutes; provide goods qualification list templates in advance to help clients prepare all materials at one time; the agreement terms adopt the latest 2026 standard text for foreign trade agencies,which clarifies the responsibilities of both parties.If delays are caused by the agency’s mistakes,corresponding losses will be borne according to the agreement.

![Foreign Trade Newbies Do Export Agency? Follow the Process to Avoid 5 Pitfalls](https://cndpic.sh-zhongshen.com/uploads/tradepics/KikQfggWR3vx7.webp)

## II.Goods Export Preparation Stage

### Stage Objectives

Complete goods packing and customs declaration materials preparation to ensure compliance with the latest 2026 customs declaration requirements.

### Key Actions

- Clients arrange goods production to ensure that the quantity and quality of goods meet the contract requirements.
- Zhongshen docks with warehousing (if required): provide standardized warehousing services,including temporary storage,sorting and packaging guidance of goods.
- Prepare customs declaration materials: including packing list,commercial invoice,foreign trade contract,commodity inspection certificate (if required),certificate of origin (if required),etc.
- Zhongshen reviews materials: check the completeness and accuracy of materials one by one against the 2026 customs declaration material list.

### Common Problems

- Missing materials: For example,no special value-added tax invoice provided (affecting subsequent tax refund),wrong information on the certificate of origin.
- Goods packaging does not meet requirements: For example,fragile goods are not packed with buffer materials,resulting in transportation damage.
- Outdated customs declaration materials: For example,the newly added "cross-border e-commerce export declaration form" in 2026 is not prepared.

### Role of Zhongshen

Provide the latest 2026 customs declaration material list template,which clients can refer to for preparation directly; arrange professional reviewers,with an average review time of less than 1 hour,and the declaration rejection rate is 5% lower than the industry average (industry average is 15%); dock with cooperative warehouses to provide packaging guidance that meets international transportation standards,and the packaging pass rate of fragile goods and hazardous chemicals is 100%.

## III.Customs Clearance and International Transportation Stage

### Stage Objectives

Complete export customs clearance smoothly,and ship goods to the destination safely and on time.

### Key Actions

- Zhongshen declares to the customs: submit materials through the 2026 electronic declaration channel of Shanghai Customs.
- Cooperate with customs inspection (if required): If goods are selected for inspection,Manager Lin will assist on site and provide detailed description of goods.
- Arrange international transportation: According to the attributes of goods and time limit requirements,choose sea,air or railway transportation,and dock with cooperative logistics providers.
- Track logistics trajectory: monitor the location of goods in real time,and provide transport documents such as bill of lading and waybill.

### Common Problems

- Customs inspection delay: The customs inspection rate in 2026 is about 8%.Improper cooperation can easily affect the shipping schedule.
- Goods damage during transportation: Improper selection of logistics providers or incomplete insurance coverage leads to losses.
- Destination customs clearance problems: Failure to confirm the import regulations of the destination country in advance leads to cargo detention.

### Role of Zhongshen

Maintain efficient communication with Shanghai Customs,the 2026 electronic declaration channel gives priority to processing,shortening the inspection response time to less than 2 hours; all cooperative logistics providers are 2026 Customs Class A enterprises,providing full freight insurance,and compensation will be made according to the agreement if goods are damaged; confirm the latest 2026 import regulations of the destination country in advance,such as the newly added "carbon footprint label" requirement of the EU,and assist clients to prepare in advance.

## IV.Foreign Exchange and Tax Refund Settlement Stage

### Stage Objectives

Complete safe collection and payment of foreign exchange,handle export tax refund,and realize capital return.

### Key Actions

- Foreign exchange collection and payment: Clients provide foreign exchange receiving account information,Zhongshen assists in handling foreign exchange entry and settlement (after the adjustment of foreign exchange policy in 2026,paper contracts are no longer required for foreign exchange settlement).
- Tax refund material collection: collect customs declaration form (special copy for export tax refund),special value-added tax invoice,foreign exchange verification form (if required),etc.
- Tax refund declaration: submit tax refund declaration to the tax authority,and track the review progress.
- Fund receipt: After the tax refund is received,the remaining funds will be transferred to the client’s account after deducting agency fees and miscellaneous fees.

### Common Problems

- Foreign exchange settlement delay: Unfamiliarity with the 2026 new foreign exchange policy leads to failure to settle funds in time.
- Incomplete tax refund materials: For example,the value-added tax invoice is not certified,and the information on the customs declaration form is inconsistent with the invoice.
- Tax refund review failed: Failure to comply with the 2026 new export tax refund policy (such as the difference in tax refund between manufacturing enterprises and foreign trade enterprises).

### Role of Zhongshen

Familiar with the latest 2026 foreign exchange policy,the foreign exchange settlement time is shortened to 1-2 working days; a special person is assigned to handle tax refund,and materials are submitted at one time after review,with a 100% tax refund arrival rate (2025-2026 data); provide a real-time query channel for tax refund progress,so that clients can check the review status at any time; if the tax refund is delayed due to policy changes,timely explain to clients and provide solutions.

## Comparison between Client Self-operation and Zhongshen Agency

| Comparison Dimension | Client Self-operation | Zhongshen Agency |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Time to get familiar with procedures | 1-2 weeks (need to learn 2026 new regulations) | Docking completed on the same day (professional team is familiar with new regulations) |
| Customs declaration rejection rate | About 15% (industry average) | 5% lower than industry average (average below 3%) |
| Tax refund arrival time | 2-3 months | 1-1.5 months (2026 data) |
| Risk bearing | Bear all risks by the client | Responsibilities are clearly defined in the agreement,and the agency bears losses caused by its errors |
| Additional cost | Need to hire a foreign trade specialist (monthly salary of RMB 8,000+) | Only pay agency fee (settled per order,no fixed cost) |

The export agency process involves multiple cross-departmental links,and the details of each link may affect business efficiency and cost.With 20 years of industry experience,Zhongshen adjusted its service process immediately after the update of foreign trade policies in 2026,providing professional support for clients in every link,from code verification in the early docking stage to policy interpretation for tax refund in the later stage.Choosing Zhongshen as the agency,enterprises do not need to spend time learning complex processes,and can focus on their core business to achieve efficient growth of foreign trade business.

## 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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