What Qualification Requirements Do Enterprises Need to Entrust Import and Export Agents in 2026?

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  • Sep 14, 2026 at 12:00
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I am the person in charge of a cross-border e-commerce enterprise established only half a year ago, mainly engaged in the import of beauty products from Japan and South Korea. Recently, a batch of beauty products worth 500,000 CNY will be shipped from Incheon Port to Shanghai Port, but we do not have self-operated import and export rights, so we intend to seek support from an agency.

However, I have no idea about the conditions for entrusting an import and export agent -- does our enterprise need to apply for certain qualifications first, or can the agency handle all procedures on our behalf? I heard from friends previously that some enterprises encountered cargo detention at ports because they failed to meet agency requirements, with daily container detention fees reaching thousands of yuan, and I am extremely worried about such situations.

In addition, are there any new policy requirements in 2026, such as special qualifications for cross-border e-commerce agencies? I hope to get a clear picture of the materials we need to prepare and the necessary capabilities of the agency to avoid potential risks.

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Expert Q&A

Michael Zhang
Michael ZhangYears of service：6Customer Rating：5.0

Customs Declaration & Compliance ExpertStart a Chat

Enterprises entrusting import and export agents shall clarify conditions from three dimensions: their own qualifications，agency requirements and document compliance. First，the basic conditions required for enterprises themselves include: cross-border e-commerce enterprises shall hold a valid Record-filing Certificate of Cross-border E-commerce Business Entity，general trade enterprises shall complete customs consignor and consignee record filing and obtain the electronic port IC card.

Second，core capabilities shall be inspected when selecting an agency: first，it shall hold the Customs AEO Advanced Certification Qualification (customs clearance efficiency for AEO agencies will be improved by 30% by the customs in 2026)，second，it has an independent logistics and customs declaration team to realize seamless connection between document review and customs clearance operation，third，it has established an exception contingency mechanism，which can quickly provide price basis in case of customs valuation disputes.

Attention shall be paid to the document preparation link: for import business，the certificate of origin，packing list，invoice，contract and quarantine certificates for special commodities (such as the Import Record Certificate of Non-special Purpose Cosmetics for beauty products) shall be prepared in advance，for export business，the information on the customs declaration form shall be consistent with that on the bill of lading to avoid form deletion and re-declaration.

New requirements added in 2026: cross-border e-commerce agencies shall access the Cross-border E-commerce Customs Clearance Service Platform of the General Administration of Customs to realize automatic comparison of three documents (order，waybill and payment slip). In addition，the agency shall provide VAT deferral service to help enterprises reduce capital occupation. Enterprises shall sign detailed agreements with the agency to clarify the ownership of goods and the scope of risk bearing，so as to ensure compliant implementation.

Reference: How is the import tariff for CNC equipment calculated? Interpretation of the latest policies in 2025
Grace Wang
Grace WangYears of service：10Customer Rating：5.0

Senior Foreign Trade ConsultantStart a Chat

From the perspective of customs declaration, the entrusted agency shall hold the Customs Declaration Unit Registration Certificate and have no abnormal records in the integrated customs clearance system. Enterprises shall provide authentic and valid trade contracts and invoices to avoid valuation disputes caused by false price declaration.

In 2026, the customs will implement dual verification of "valuation + classification" for imported beauty products, and the agency shall be able to provide transaction price certificates of similar commodities in the past 3 months to cope with valuation challenges.

Eric Zhou
Eric ZhouYears of service：6Customer Rating：5.0

Senior Manager of Foreign Exchange & Tax RebatesStart a Chat

At the logistics level, the agency shall have stable shipping space resources and cargo right control capabilities. For fragile goods such as beauty products, the agency shall choose direct shipping schemes to reduce transit risks, and clarify negotiation clauses for container detention fees and free storage period.

In 2026, the free storage period for cross-border e-commerce goods at Shanghai Port will be extended to 7 days, but the agency shall file in the shipping company system in advance, otherwise the policy cannot be enjoyed.

Daniel Xu
Daniel XuYears of service：10Customer Rating：5.0

Director of Import & Export OperationsStart a Chat

In terms of taxation, enterprises shall confirm whether the agency can provide VAT deferral services. In 2026, Shanghai will pilot the policy of "import VAT deferred to sales link payment", and the agency shall have tax planning qualifications to help enterprises reduce capital occupation.

In addition, the agency shall be able to handle cross-border exchange difference optimization, and realize RMB cross-border payment through the CIPS system to reduce exchange rate fluctuation risks.

Linda Gao
Linda GaoYears of service：7Customer Rating：5.0

Documentation SupervisorStart a Chat

In terms of foreign exchange receipt and payment compliance, the agency shall be familiar with SWIFT message and CIPS system operations. Enterprises shall provide authentic trade background materials to avoid foreign exchange supervision caused by inconsistency between receipt/payment amount and customs declaration amount.

In 2026, the State Administration of Foreign Exchange requires agencies to conduct pre-filing for each single receipt or payment exceeding 100,000 US dollars, and the agency shall assist enterprises to complete the filing process in advance.

Victor Sun
Victor SunYears of service：5Customer Rating：5.0

Trade Risk Control ManagerStart a Chat

At the legal level, enterprises shall sign a clear entrustment agreement with the agency to specify the cargo right transfer node and force majeure clauses. For goods with intellectual property risks such as beauty products, the agency shall assist in handling customs intellectual property record filing to avoid customs seizure due to infringement.

In the newly revised Incoterms 2026, under CIF terms, the agency shall bear the risks before the goods cross the ship's rail, and enterprises shall clarify the division of responsibilities in the agreement.

Kevin Lin
Kevin LinYears of service：4Customer Rating：5.0

Trade Solutions ManagerStart a Chat

In the on-site inspection link, the agency shall have rapid response capability. If the goods are selected for inspection by the customs, the agency shall provide the detailed packing list and original certificate of origin within 24 hours.

In 2026, Shanghai Port will implement the "X-ray inspection priority" policy, and the agency shall ensure that the cargo packaging meets X-ray inspection requirements, so as to avoid manual container unloading caused by blurred packaging which will prolong inspection time.

Cindy Chen
Cindy ChenYears of service：3Customer Rating：5.0

Key Account ManagerStart a Chat

In terms of packaging, beauty products are fragile goods, and the agency shall provide buffer packaging solutions that meet UN standards. If the goods contain liquids, an MSDS report shall be provided and leak-proof packaging shall be used.

In 2026, the customs has stricter requirements on packaging labels for imported beauty products, and the agency shall assist enterprises to mark Chinese ingredient lists and import record numbers on the packaging to avoid customs seizure due to incomplete labels.

Jason Wu
Jason WuYears of service：10Customer Rating：5.0

International Logistics & Supply Chain ManagerStart a Chat

If export business is involved, the agency shall have export tax refund qualification. Enterprises shall provide authentic purchase invoices and customs declaration forms to ensure "four-stream consistency" (contract, invoice, logistics, capital flow).

In 2026, the export tax refund review cycle will be shortened to 3 working days, but the agency shall complete document pre-declaration verification in advance to avoid tax refund delay caused by data errors.

Lucas Liu
Lucas LiuYears of service：8Customer Rating：5.0

Senior Operations ConsultantStart a Chat

At the supply chain level, the agency shall be able to optimize logistics routes. For the import of Japanese and South Korean beauty products, the agency can choose the direct shipping scheme from Incheon Port to Shanghai Port to reduce transit time.

In 2026, cross-border e-commerce logistics costs will rise by 5%, and the agency shall cut freight costs through bulk booking and provide inventory linkage strategies to help enterprises reduce inventory overstock risks.

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