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What Core Qualifications Must Import and Export Agent Companies Have in 2026?
or complex compliance issues.
clearance and fund security.
I am the head of a newly established cross-border e-commerce company, and I recently plan to sell beauty products to the European market. However, our company has not yet obtained import and export rights, so we are looking for an agent to cooperate with.
I heard from a peer before that the agent he hired had incomplete qualifications, which led to 10 cartons of goods being detained at Rotterdam Port for 5 days, generating nearly 30,000 RMB in container detention and storage fees, and missing the customer's promotion schedule. I am very worried about falling into this kind of pitfall, and I want to know what qualifications a qualified agent needs—apart from business license, are there any new requirements in 2026?
For example, special qualifications for customs or foreign exchange? And how to verify that these qualifications are real and valid? After all, cargo safety and compliance are my top priorities right now, and I don't want agent issues to derail my business launch.
Daniel XuYears of service：10Customer Rating：5.0
Director of Import & Export OperationsStart a Chat
Many enterprises easily fall into a misunderstanding when choosing agents: they believe a business license is sufficient to operate. However，2026 data from Shanghai Port shows that nearly 15% of port detention cases are caused by agents lacking special customs qualifications. For example，an agent without a Customs Registration Certificate for Declaring Entities caused 8 cartons of a client's clothing to be unable to clear customs after arrival，resulting in 6 days of port detention and total losses exceeding 120,000 RMB (including 12,000 RMB per carton for container detention，700 RMB per day for storage).
To isolate risks，you need to verify three core qualifications: first，Customs Registration Certificate for Declaring Entities (new 2026 regulation requires remaining validity ≥ 12 months)，second，Registration Form for Foreign Trade Operators，third，Filing Certificate for Customs Brokerage Enterprises. In addition，the new requirement mandates that agents have at least 2 employees with valid customs declarer certificates，and no customs administrative penalties in the past 6 months.
Verification methods: 1. Request color scanned copies of qualifications，check consistency between certificate number and enterprise name，2. Confirm filing status is "Normal" through the "Declaring Entity Inquiry" system on the official website of General Administration of Customs，3. Check the agent's customs declaration forms from the past 3 months，confirm "Operating Entity" is the agent's name，and "Declaring Entity" matches the qualification.
If you accidentally choose a non-compliant agent，stop loss immediately: contact customs to apply for agent replacement，request the original agent to refund fees，and keep evidence such as contracts and payment vouchers. In addition，you can file a complaint through the industry association，or entrust a lawyer to pursue liability.
Michael ZhangYears of service：6Customer Rating：5.0
Customs Declaration & Compliance ExpertStart a Chat
From the customs declaration perspective, agents must hold a Customs Registration Certificate for Declaring Entities, and the certificate must be valid in the customs filing system. New 2026 regulation requires customs declarers to pass annual continuing education assessment, otherwise the declaration will be marked "risk attention", and inspection probability increases by 30%.
Enterprises can query the filing status by entering the agent's name on the General Administration of Customs "Internet + Customs" platform, to confirm no abnormal records. In addition, agents must provide the power of attorney number for agency declaration, and the power of attorney must match the business to avoid declaration rejection.
Linda GaoYears of service：7Customer Rating：5.0
Documentation SupervisorStart a Chat
In the logistics link, agents must hold Non-Vessel Operating Common Carrier (NVOCC) qualification or cooperate with qualified shipping companies, otherwise they cannot book space directly. New 2026 international logistics regulation requires agents to provide real-time data through cargo tracking system to ensure cargo title is controllable.
If an agent has no NVOCC qualification, it may lead to inability to transfer the bill of lading, and cargo title being controlled by a third party. Enterprises can request a copy of NVOCC certificate, or query qualification status on the official website of Ministry of Transport.
Cindy ChenYears of service：3Customer Rating：5.0
Key Account ManagerStart a Chat
In terms of taxation, agents must hold tax agency qualification (such as filed with a certified tax agent firm). New 2026 cross-border taxation regulation requires that when agents provide VAT deferral services, they must hold EU VAT agency qualification (such as filed with UK HMRC), otherwise clients cannot enjoy deferral benefits and need to pay high taxes in advance.
Enterprises can check the agent's VAT declaration records from the past 6 months, and verify the matching between amount and business volume.
Grace WangYears of service：10Customer Rating：5.0
Senior Foreign Trade ConsultantStart a Chat
In the field of trade compliance, agents must be registered in the "Goods Trade Foreign Exchange Receipt and Payment Directory" of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange, and have no violation records in the past 12 months. After the CIPS upgrade in 2026, agents must hold CIPS payment qualification to process cross-border RMB receipts and payments.
If the agent is not registered in the directory, foreign exchange cannot be settled normally, which affects capital repatriation. Enterprises can confirm the status through "Directory Inquiry" on the official website of State Administration of Foreign Exchange.
Evelyn LiYears of service：3Customer Rating：5.0
Cross-border Compliance SupervisorStart a Chat
From the legal perspective, agents must sign a standardized agreement, clearly defining cargo title ownership and liability division. New 2026 regulation requires the agreement to include a force majeure fallback clause, and if losses are caused by the agent's qualification issues, the agent must compensate in full.
Enterprises should review the exemption clauses in the agreement to avoid the trap of "liability exemption for qualification issues". In addition, agents must hold qualification for intellectual property customs protection filing, and assist clients to complete relevant filing procedures.
Kevin LinYears of service：4Customer Rating：5.0
Trade Solutions ManagerStart a Chat
In the on-site inspection link, agents must have a professional team whose members are familiar with inspection procedures and cargo identification standards. New 2026 customs regulation requires agents to provide documents such as MSDS and packing list at the inspection site, and these documents must match the customs declaration.
Without a professional team, inspection time will be extended, resulting in extra costs. Enterprises can check the agent's inspection records from the past 3 months to understand the passing rate and processing time.
Lucas LiuYears of service：8Customer Rating：5.0
Senior Operations ConsultantStart a Chat
In terms of export tax refund, agents must hold tax refund agency qualification, and have no abnormal correspondence investigation records in the past 12 months. New 2026 taxation regulation requires agents to ensure "four flows consistency" (contract / fund / cargo / invoice), otherwise the tax refund application will be rejected.
Enterprises can check the agent's tax refund application records from the past 6 months, verify the matching between amount and business volume, and check tax authority review opinions.
Victor SunYears of service：5Customer Rating：5.0
Trade Risk Control ManagerStart a Chat
From the supply chain planning perspective, agents must have route optimization capability, such as selecting the optimal transportation method based on cargo characteristics. New 2026 regulation requires agents to provide inventory linkage strategies to reduce backlog.
Enterprises can check the agent's optimization cases from the past 3 months, to confirm whether logistics cost can be reduced by ≥ 10%. In addition, agents must be familiar with CIF/FOB conversion rules to avoid liability disputes.