---
title: "How to Choose an Import & Export Agency in Zhangjiagang? Pitfall-avoiding Process Guide - Zhongshen Trading China"
description: "In 2026，the activity of Zhangjiagang's foreign trade market continues to increase. Many micro，small and medium-sized enterprises often encounter pitfalls in import and export processes due to the lack of professional teams. Finding a reliable import and export agency has become the key for enterprises to reduce costs and improve efficiency. A person in charge from Zhongshen，which has engaged in foreign trade agency for over 20 years，stated that clarifying the core links of the agency proces..."
url: "https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/agency-knowledge/zhangjiagang-import-export-agency-selection-process-pitfalls.html"
language: "en"
type: "Article"
category: "Agent Knowledge"
datePublished: "2026-06-24"
dateModified: "2026-06-24"
brand: "Zhongshen Trading China"
image: "https://cndpic.sh-zhongshen.com/uploads/tradepics/iQpClu1QYUPbH.webp"
---

# How to Choose an Import & Export Agency in Zhangjiagang? Pitfall-avoiding Process Guide

## How to Choose Zhangjiagang Import & Export Agency: Full-process Pitfall-avoiding Guide

Many business owners running foreign trade business in Zhangjiagang have been asking recently: What pitfalls are easily hidden in the import and export agency process?After all,Zhangjiagang’s foreign trade order volume in 2026 has increased by nearly 20% year-on-year.If the process is not handled correctly,any delivery delay or unnecessary extra tax will cause significant losses.Today,combined with actual cases,we break down the core process of import and export agency,explain what to note in each link,and what professional agencies can do for you.

![What Is the Key to Save Trouble & Cost When Hiring Zhangjiagang Import & Export Agency](https://cndpic.sh-zhongshen.com/uploads/tradepics/iQpClu1QYUPbH.webp)

### 1.Preliminary Demand Docking: Accurately Match Enterprises’ Actual Demands

The goal of this stage is clear: clarify the enterprise’s import and export type (general trade or processing trade),cargo properties (such as dangerous goods,fresh produce or general cargo),order cycle and other information,to avoid deviation in subsequent processes.

Key actions include: First,the enterprise provides basic materials (business license,cargo list,order contract,etc.),then a dedicated person from the agency will check details with the enterprise’s contact person (like Mr.Liu who does clothing export).For example,there is a batch of children’s clothing in Mr.Liu’s order,it is necessary to confirm whether it meets EU safety standards and whether the HS code is accurate.

Common problems: Many business owners easily ignore the labeling of "special cargo properties".For example,they declare electronic products with lithium batteries as general cargo,which gets held up at the customs declaration link and delays the sailing date.Some enterprises do not understand the policy differences corresponding to different trade methods.For example,processing trade requires processing trade manual,if this step is missed,subsequent tax rebate will be affected.

What Zhongshen does in this link: We have a professional demand analysis team that can make accurate matching for common cargo types of local Zhangjiagang enterprises (such as textiles,machinery,chemical industry).For example,Mr.Liu once cooperated with a small agency that submitted declaration without checking HS code,which was required to be re-audited by customs and delayed the sailing date by 3 days.Later he cooperated with Zhongshen,Supervisor Liang checked the safety standards of children’s clothing and confirmed the HS code was correct before submission,and the customs clearance was approved at one time.

### 2.Core Link of Customs Declaration & Inspection: Balance Between Compliance and Efficiency

Customs declaration and inspection is the "throat" of the import and export process,the goal is to ensure that the goods pass customs smoothly without inspection delay or rejection.

Key actions are divided into two steps: First is inspection (if the goods require commodity inspection),for example,fresh products need to provide certificate of origin and quarantine certificate; Second is customs declaration,submit declaration form,bill of lading,invoice,packing list and other materials.

Common problems: 1.Wrong information filled in the customs declaration form,such as commodity name does not match the actual goods; 2.Incomplete commodity inspection materials,such as imported food lacking Chinese labels; 3.Unable to find the corresponding goods during customs inspection,resulting in delay.

![What Is the Key to Save Trouble & Cost When Hiring Zhangjiagang Import & Export Agency](https://cndpic.sh-zhongshen.com/uploads/tradepics/iQtOWGRBHn7CY.webp)

Advantages of Zhongshen: We have a customs declaration team with more than 10 years of experience,and are familiar with the latest policies of Zhangjiagang Customs (Zhangjiagang Customs adjusted the inspection standards for cross-border e-commerce goods in 2026).For example,Ms.Cheng who does machinery export once delayed for a week because the "weight" on the declaration form was wrong by 100kg,and was required to re-declare by customs.Zhongshen’s customs declarer found this problem during review,modified it in time and submitted it,and the declaration was approved on the same day.In addition,Zhongshen has long-term cooperation with local commodity inspection institutions in Zhangjiagang,which can help enterprises prepare materials in advance and reduce inspection time.

### 3.Connection of International Transportation and Warehousing: Avoid Logistics Stagnation

The goal of this stage is to ensure smooth connection of goods from the warehouse to the port and then to the destination port,avoiding situations such as "goods arrive at the port but no available shipping space" or "warehouse is overcrowded and cannot unload".

Key actions: First,select the transportation mode (sea,air or land) according to the cargo type,for example,fresh products are suitable for air transportation; Second,book shipping space in advance,especially during peak season (such as before Christmas) when shipping space is tight; Third,arrange warehousing,for example,local bonded warehouses in Zhangjiagang can store imported goods and enjoy tax preferences.

Common problems: 1.Cannot book shipping space in peak season,resulting in cargo backlog; 2.Improper warehouse temperature control,leading to deterioration of fresh products; 3.Port congestion,goods cannot be loaded on time.

What Zhongshen does: We have our own logistics cooperation network,and signed long-term shipping space agreements with 3 major shipping companies in Zhangjiagang (such as Maersk,Mediterranean Shipping Company) in 2026,which can guarantee shipping space even in peak season.In addition,we have a 5,000-square-meter standard warehouse in Zhangjiagang,equipped with temperature control equipment,suitable for storing special goods such as fresh produce and chemical products.For example,Ms.Ran who imports chemical raw materials once could not get shipping space even with a 30% price increase in peak season because she did not book in advance.After she turned to Zhongshen,Supervisor Liang booked the shipping space 2 weeks in advance for her,and the price was 5% lower than the market price.

### 4.Foreign Exchange Receipt & Payment,Settlement and Tax Rebate: Capital Security and Efficiency

The goal of this stage is to ensure that the enterprise’s foreign exchange can be credited safely,and complete settlement and tax rebate in time to avoid capital occupation.

Key actions: First,foreign exchange receipt and payment,the agency will help the enterprise open a foreign exchange account to receive overseas payment; Second,foreign exchange settlement,convert foreign exchange into RMB at the exchange rate of the day; Third,export tax rebate,prepare tax rebate materials (customs declaration form,VAT invoice,etc.) and apply for tax rebate from the tax authority.

Common problems: 1.Delayed foreign exchange arrival,affecting enterprise capital turnover; 2.Incomplete tax rebate materials,leading to rejection of the application; 3.Large exchange rate fluctuation,causing enterprises to lose exchange gains.

Advantages of Zhongshen: We have a professional foreign exchange team and are familiar with foreign exchange management policies (Zhangjiagang has simplified the foreign exchange receipt and payment process for small and micro enterprises in 2026).For example,Ms.Yang who does electronic product export once had a 10-day delay in payment arrival due to problems with her foreign exchange account,which affected raw material procurement.Zhongshen helped her open a compliant foreign exchange account,and the payment can be settled on the same day after it arrives.In addition,Zhongshen’s tax rebate team will review tax rebate materials in advance to ensure one-time approval.Since 2026,the average tax rebate arrival time of Zhongshen is 15 days,which is 10 days faster than the industry average.

### 5.After-sales Follow-up and Risk Prevention: Long-term Guarantee

The goal of this stage is to solve possible subsequent problems,such as cargo damage during transportation,problems at destination port customs clearance,and help enterprises avoid potential risks.

Key actions: First,track the cargo transportation status and feedback to the enterprise in time; Second,handle after-sales problems,such as claim for cargo damage; Third,send regular risk reminders to enterprises,such as the latest trade policy changes.

Common problems: 1.No access to claim channels after cargo damage; 2.Enterprises do not know how to deal with problems in destination port customs clearance; 3.Enterprises fail to adjust in time after trade policy changes,leading to non-compliance.

What Zhongshen does: We have a 24-hour logistics tracking system,and enterprises can check the cargo location at any time.In addition,we cooperate with insurance companies to help enterprises process claims quickly.For example,a batch of Mr.Liu’s clothing was soaked by seawater during sea transportation,Zhongshen helped him contact the insurance company and he got the claim within one week.At the same time,Zhongshen sends to cooperative enterprises every month.For example,we notified enterprises in advance when the EU adjusted the safety standards for children’s clothing in 2026.

| Comparison Dimension | Self-operation by Enterprise | Agency by Zhongshen |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Customs Clearance Efficiency | 7-10 days on average | 3-5 days on average |
| Tax Rebate Speed | 25-30 days on average | 15-20 days on average |
| Risk Prevention | Only covers own operational risks | Covers all risks of policy,logistics and capital |
| Cost Control | No scale advantage,higher cost | Reduces logistics and customs clearance costs through scale advantage |

Many business owners fall into misunderstandings when looking for an agency,the common ones are as follows:

- Only focus on price,ignore qualification: Some small agencies offer low prices but have no legal customs declaration qualification,and run away when problems occur later;
- Fail to check HS code: Wrong HS code will not only delay customs clearance,but also may lead to extra tax payment;
- Ignore the connection between warehousing and transportation: For example,goods arrive at the port but no storage space is reserved,resulting in port detention fees;
- Incomplete tax rebate materials: Inconsistent information between VAT invoice and customs declaration form leads to rejection of tax rebate application.

In conclusion,the core of choosing a Zhangjiagang import and export agency is "experience" and "full-process service capability".Zhongshen has been deeply engaged in foreign trade agency for more than 20 years,is familiar with Zhangjiagang’s local policies and market,and can help enterprises cover the whole process from demand docking to after-sales follow-up,avoiding more than 90% of common problems.If you are looking for a reliable agency,you may as well compare the service details.After all,leaving professional work to professionals can really save you trouble and cost.

## 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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