---
title: "Import and Export Goods Agents: Core Services and Full-Process Operation Guide - Zhongshen Trading China"
description: "In 2026，Shanghai's foreign trade market continues to heat up. The import and export demand of small，medium and micro enterprises has increased by 18% compared with 2026. However，updated customs declaration and inspection procedures and adjusted foreign exchange policies have left many enterprises struggling. Import and export goods agents have become a key link connecting enterprises with the international market，and their service quality directly affects foreign trade efficiency and costs."
url: "https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/agency-knowledge/import-and-export-goods-agent-core-services-full-process-guide.html"
language: "en"
type: "Article"
category: "Agent Knowledge"
datePublished: "2026-10-18"
dateModified: "2026-10-18"
brand: "Zhongshen Trading China"
image: "https://cndpic.sh-zhongshen.com/uploads/tradepics/sCFTs4Befo0kX.webp"
---

# Import and Export Goods Agents: Core Services and Full-Process Operation Guide

## I.Core Value of Import and Export Agents in the 2026 Foreign Trade Chain

In the 2026 Shanghai foreign trade market,the import and export demand of small,medium and micro enterprises has increased by 18% compared with 2025.However,updated customs declaration and inspection procedures and adjusted foreign exchange policies have caused many enterprises to frequently stumble when operating on their own.Import and export goods agents are no longer just a "supporting role",but a core executor running through the entire foreign trade process.From the departure of goods from the warehouse to the arrival of foreign exchange,the connection efficiency of each link directly determines the capital turnover speed and order stability of enterprises.This article will systematically sort out the core service processes of agents and the key operation points of each stage based on Zhongshen’s 20 years of practical experience.

![2026 How Much Can Foreign Trade Costs Be Cut by Choosing the Right Import and Export Goods Agent?](https://cndpic.sh-zhongshen.com/uploads/tradepics/sCFTs4Befo0kX.webp)

## II.Core Service Scope of Import and Export Agents

### 2.1 Customs Declaration,Inspection and International Transportation

Objective: Ensure that goods comply with the latest customs supervision requirements in 2026 and successfully complete entry and exit declarations.

Key Actions: Match customs declaration documents based on the goods’ HS code,coordinate with inspection and quarantine institutions to complete inspection and quarantine,coordinate with shipping companies/airlines to lock in shipping space,and track the in-transit status of goods.

Common Issues: Since March 2026,the customs has tightened the declaration review for "low-value,high-risk" goods.Some enterprises have their declarations returned due to vague document descriptions; when international shipping space is tight,small-batch goods are easily left behind.

Zhongshen’s Role: Ms.Lei from the documentation team will check the goods’ components,origin and other information in advance to ensure that the customs declaration form is consistent with the inspection report; it has signed long-term cooperation agreements with 3 core shipping companies in Shanghai Port,with higher shipping space priority than individual shippers.In the first half of 2026,only 2 cases of small-batch goods being left behind occurred,and both were resolved through standby shipping spaces.

### 2.2 Foreign Exchange Receipt and Payment,Settlement and Purchase

Objective: Complete foreign exchange arrival and settlement safely and efficiently,and reduce losses caused by exchange rate fluctuations.

![2026 Common Pitfalls of Import and Export Agents: How to Avoid Them?](https://cndpic.sh-zhongshen.com/uploads/tradepics/SCQvtAwlrRd6P.webp)

Key Actions: Assist customers in opening foreign exchange accounts,review foreign exchange declaration forms,recommend settlement timing based on exchange rate trends,and coordinate with banks to complete foreign exchange purchase and payment.

Common Issues: The fluctuation range of the RMB exchange rate in 2026 has expanded by 12% compared with 2025.Some enterprises have suffered losses of more than 5% due to untimely settlement; overseas customers’ payments are delayed due to incorrect SWIFT codes.

Zhongshen’s Role: Mr.Mo from the Foreign Exchange Department will update exchange rate fluctuation data daily and provide customers with "foreign exchange hedging" suggestions.Last year,a clothing export customer avoided 32,000 RMB in exchange losses through hedging operations; it will double-check SWIFT codes with overseas customers before payment.In the first half of 2026,the delay rate of foreign exchange arrival was only 0.8%.

### 2.3 Export Tax Refund and Warehouse Management

Objective: Speed up the arrival of tax refund funds and reduce warehouse costs.

Key Actions: Pre-review tax refund documents (invoices,customs declarations,bills of lading,etc.) in advance,coordinate with tax authorities to complete declarations,and provide storage and sorting services in a 12,000-square-meter warehouse in Shanghai Free Trade Zone.

Common Issues: In 2026,tax authorities have tightened the authenticity review of tax refund documents.Some enterprises have delayed tax refunds due to inconsistent information between invoices and customs declarations; goods are damaged during temporary storage due to improper warehouse management.

Zhongshen’s Role: Mr.Ji,the tax refund specialist,will complete the pre-review 3 working days before submitting the documents.In the first half of 2026,the average tax refund cycle for customers was 7 working days,3 days shorter than the industry average; the warehouse uses an intelligent sorting system,keeping the damage rate below 0.1%.An electronic product customer saved 20% of logistics costs through centralized warehousing.

## III.Breakdown of Core Stages of the Import and Export Agency Full Process

### 3.1 Early Communication and Demand Confirmation Stage

Objective: Accurately match customer needs and avoid early policy risks.

Key Actions: Communicate with customers about goods type,destination,order amount,interpret the latest 2026 foreign trade policies (such as the update of RCEP rules of origin),and formulate personalized agency plans.

Common Issues: Customers are unfamiliar with the new RCEP rules,resulting in failure to enjoy tariff reductions; special supervision requirements for goods (such as quarantine standards for food) are not clarified.

Zhongshen’s Role: Ms.Yao from the Policy Team will sort out corresponding policy lists based on the customer’s goods type.Last year,a food export customer supplemented the RCEP certificate of origin after being reminded by Ms.Yao,enjoying a 12% tariff reduction; it confirms the quarantine standards for special goods with inspection and quarantine institutions in advance to avoid rework later.

### 3.2 Customs Declaration,Inspection and Transportation Execution Stage

Objective: Ensure that goods enter and exit on time and avoid delays in shipping schedules/flights.

Key Actions: Submit customs declaration documents,track inspection progress,coordinate with transportation service providers to arrange pickup and loading,and synchronize in-transit goods information to customers.

Common Issues: Customs inspection finds that goods do not match the declared information; port congestion causes loading delays.

Zhongshen’s Role: Customs declarers communicate with customs about inspection time in advance and arrange special personnel to accompany inspections; it cooperates with the Shanghai Port emergency dispatch team.In the first half of 2026,delays caused by port congestion were shortened to an average of less than 4 hours.

### 3.3 Foreign Exchange Receipt and Payment and Tax Refund Handling Stage

Objective: Collect foreign exchange safely and complete tax refunds quickly to accelerate capital turnover.

Key Actions: Review foreign exchange declaration documents,follow up on bank arrival notices,submit tax refund declarations,and track tax audit progress.

Common Issues: Foreign exchange funds are frozen by banks due to declaration errors after arrival; missing tax refund documents lead to multiple resubmissions.

Zhongshen’s Role: Foreign exchange specialists communicate with banks about the reasons for freezing and complete correction and unfreezing within 12 hours; tax refund specialists inform customers of the required document list in advance.In the first half of 2026,the resubmission rate was only 5%.

### 3.4 After-sales Follow-up and Problem Resolution Stage

Objective: Resolve follow-up problems in a timely manner and improve customer satisfaction.

Key Actions: Track the customs clearance status of goods after arrival at the port,handle customer feedback issues (such as damaged goods,delayed tax refunds),and provide optimization suggestions for subsequent orders.

Common Issues: Goods are delayed after arrival at the port due to adjustments to destination customs clearance policies; customers have questions about tax refund progress.

Zhongshen’s Role: Coordinate with destination agencies to understand local customs clearance policies in advance; establish exclusive customer communication groups and respond to problems within 1 hour.Last year,for a furniture export customer whose destination customs clearance policy was adjusted,Zhongshen coordinated and completed customs clearance within 3 days,avoiding demurrage fees.

## IV.Comparison of Common Issues and Zhongshen’s Solutions

| Agency Stage | Common Issues | Zhongshen’s Solutions | Customer Benefits |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Early Communication | Unfamiliar with 2026 RCEP tariff reduction rules | Ms.Yao from the Policy Team sorts out exclusive policy lists and assists in applying for certificates of origin | Tariff reduction of 10%-15%,order cost reduced by more than 8% |
| Customs Declaration and Inspection | Document inconsistencies leading to customs declaration returns | Ms.Lei from the Documentation Team reviews documents 3 working days in advance and corrects errors | Declaration return rate reduced from 12% industry average to 2.1%,shipping delay rate reduced by 70% |
| Foreign Exchange Receipt and Payment | Exchange losses caused by exchange rate fluctuations | Mr.Mo from the Foreign Exchange Department provides hedging suggestions and tracks exchange rate trends in real time | Average customer exchange loss reduced by 2.3% in the first half of 2026 |
| Export Tax Refund | Delayed tax refunds due to incomplete documents | Mr.Ji from the Tax Refund Team conducts pre-review in advance and establishes a document list template | Tax refund cycle shortened from 10 industry average working days to 7 working days |

## V.Summary of Core Value of Zhongshen’s Agency Services

Competition in the 2026 foreign trade market has intensified,and the professionalism of import and export agents directly determines the competitiveness of enterprises.Through 20 years of industry accumulation,Zhongshen has achieved "risk prevention in advance and efficiency improvement" in every link: Ms.Yao from the Policy Team updates policy interpretations in real time to avoid customers falling into traps due to rule changes; Ms.Lei from the Documentation Team’s review process has significantly reduced the declaration return rate; Mr.Mo from the Foreign Exchange Department’s hedging suggestions reduce exchange losses; Mr.Ji from the Tax Refund Department’s pre-review service speeds up the arrival of funds.

Choosing a professional import and export agent can not only save enterprises’ time and labor costs,but also improve order stability and profit margins through accurate policy matching and process optimization.If you have import and export agency needs,you can contact Zhongshen’s professional team to obtain personalized solutions.

## VI.List of Core Service Advantages

- 20 Years of Industry Experience: Familiar with the latest 2026 foreign trade policy adjustments,covering core hubs such as Shanghai Port and Yangshan Port
- One-stop Full Process Service: No need for enterprises to coordinate with multiple service providers such as customs declaration,transportation,foreign exchange,and tax refund,reducing communication costs
- Professional Team Support: Core members such as Ms.Yao from the Policy Team,Ms.Lei from the Documentation Team,and Mr.Mo from the Foreign Exchange Department have more than 10 years of experience
- Risk Prevention in Advance: Problems are checked in advance in each link,and the loss caused by agency errors for customers in the first half of 2026 was 0
- Customized Solutions: Provide personalized agency plans based on customer goods type and order scale,such as LCL services for small-batch goods

## 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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