---
title: "What core risks should newbies pay attention to when engaging in import and export agency business in 2026?"
description: "Newbies engaged in import and export agency business are prone to risks such as port detention and customs valuation disputes due to process omissions. They need to avoid such problems through full-chain risk isolation and dynamic cost calculation，achieve compliance implementation with the help of document review and abnormal contingency plans of professional teams，and effectively reduce operating costs and business risks.。"
url: "https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/qa/2026-newbie-import-export-agent-core-risks.html"
language: "en"
type: "Q&A"
category: "General Trade Q&A"
datePublished: "2026-08-24"
dateModified: "2026-08-24"
brand: "Zhongshen Trading China"
answerCount: 7
---

# What core risks should newbies pay attention to when engaging in import and export agency business in 2026?

## Question

 I am the owner of a small foreign trade company that has been in business for only six months. I once helped a friend handle an import and export agency business, but the goods were detained at the port for a week due to an incorrect commodity code on the customs declaration form. I not only compensated for the port detention fee but also lost the client. Now I want to officially launch the agency business but I am not confident. I heard that customs policies will be updated again in 2026, and logistics costs are also unstable. I wonder if it is easy to do import and export agency business now? I am afraid of encountering similar risks again, and also worried that I cannot control costs and make profits. I want to know what core issues newbies need to pay attention to when entering the industry, and whether there are any ways to isolate these risks. 

## Answers
                            
### Answer 1 — Best Answer

The most common mistake newbies make in import and export agency business is "valuing relationships over documents". They believe that as long as they maintain good relations with customs or logistics providers，all problems can be solved. However，the intelligent customs document review system will achieve more than 90% automated review in 2026，and document errors can hardly be remedied through manual intervention. For example，an incorrect commodity code will directly trigger machine inspection，leading to port detention. If the free storage period is exceeded，high container detention fees will be incurred，and you may even be included in the key supervision list by customs，affecting all subsequent businesses.

The key to physical risk isolation lies in **pre-document review**. It is recommended to establish a "double-person cross-check" mechanism. Core fields such as commodity code，goods value and certificate of origin must be consistent with the actual goods. At the same time，you should sign an "error compensation agreement" with the cooperative customs broker to clarify the responsibilities of both parties and transfer risks to professional institutions.

For exclusive loss stopping tips，you can purchase "import and export agency liability insurance"，which covers common risks such as port detention fees and document error compensation. In addition，when signing an agency agreement with the client，add a "disclaimer clause" to clarify that losses caused by incorrect information provided by the client shall be borne by the client. Besides，regularly participate in policy training held by customs to timely update your understanding of the new 2026 policies and avoid compliance risks caused by policy changes.

For cost control，you can adopt the "VAT deferment" policy to postpone the payment of import value-added tax until after the goods are sold，so as to ease capital pressure. At the same time，optimize logistics routes and choose direct shipping solutions to reduce transit links，lowering the probability of cargo loss and delay. Through these measures，newbies can effectively reduce the risks of import and export agency business and gradually establish a stable operation mode.

**status:** accepted
**Author:** Daniel Xu
**Date:** 2026-08-24

### Answer 2

In 2026, customs valuation adopts the "big data price comparison" mechanism. If the declared price is more than 30% lower than that of the same category, a valuation dispute will be triggered. When dealing with such disputes, you need to provide real procurement contracts, foreign exchange payment vouchers and market quotations of similar commodities to prove the reasonableness of the price.

If you cannot provide these documents, customs will levy tax based on the average price of similar commodities. You can apply for administrative reconsideration at this time, but you need to submit the materials within 15 days.

**status:** suggested
**Author:** Cindy Chen
**Date:** 2026-08-24

### Answer 3

In 2026, the shortage of international logistics space has been alleviated, but container rollover still occurs from time to time. It is recommended to choose shipping companies with "space guarantee agreements", and reserve a 3-5 day buffer period at the same time.

If you encounter container rollover, you need to immediately contact the shipping company to reallocate the nearest flight, and timely notify the client to adjust the delivery date. For high-value goods, you can choose the "door-to-door" logistics solution, where the logistics provider is responsible for cargo right control throughout the whole process, reducing the risk of cargo loss.

**status:** suggested
**Author:** Andy Guo
**Date:** 2026-08-24

### Answer 4

VAT deferment is an important means for cost optimization of import and export agency business in 2026. Currently, regions such as the European Union and the United Kingdom support this policy. When applying, you need to provide the company's tax registration certificate, agency agreement and goods sales forecast.

After approval, you can defer the payment of import value-added tax to the sales link, easing cash flow pressure. However, please note that if the goods are not sold within 6 months, you need to pay the value-added tax retrospectively, so you must do a good job in inventory management.

**status:** suggested
**Author:** Eric Zhou
**Date:** 2026-08-24

### Answer 5

In 2026, the usage rate of CIPS cross-border RMB payment has reached 60%. It is recommended to give priority to this method for foreign exchange receipt and payment, which not only has more stable exchange rate, but also enables you to enjoy handling fee discounts.

For offshore account management, you need to ensure that each transaction has a corresponding trade contract and invoice to avoid account freezing. When settling foreign exchange, you can adopt the "batch-by-batch foreign exchange settlement" strategy, choose the optimal time according to exchange rate fluctuations, and reduce exchange loss.

**status:** suggested
**Author:** Lucas Liu
**Date:** 2026-08-24

### Answer 6

Soft clauses of letter of credit are common risks in import and export agency business. In 2026, special attention should be paid to the "customer inspection certificate" clause. If the client deliberately delays issuing the customer inspection certificate, negotiation will be impossible.

To deal with this, you can add a restriction in the letter of credit that "the customer inspection certificate must be issued within 3 days after shipment", or choose a "standby letter of credit" to replace the commercial letter of credit to reduce risks. In addition, when signing the agency agreement, you need to clarify the time node of cargo right transfer to avoid cargo right disputes.

**status:** suggested
**Author:** Linda Gao
**Date:** 2026-08-24

### Answer 7

In 2026, the review focus of export tax rebate is "consistency of four flows", that is, contract flow, capital flow, goods flow and invoice flow must be fully matched. If there is inconsistency, tax rebate will be delayed or even rejected.

It is recommended to establish a document management system to track the four flows of each business in real time to ensure compliance. At the same time, carry out pre-declaration verification every month to find and adjust problems in time.

**status:** suggested
**Author:** Evelyn Li
**Date:** 2026-08-24

## Related Categories
- [Import Agency Q&A](https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/qa/cat-import-agency/)
- [Export Agency Q&A](https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/qa/cat-export-agency/)
- [Export Tax Rebate Q&A](https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/qa/cat-export-tax-rebate/)
- [Customs Declaration Q&A](https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/qa/cat-customs-declaration/)
- [Freight Forwarding Q&A](https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/qa/cat-freight-forwarding/)
- [Forex Settlement Q&A](https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/qa/cat-forex-settlement/)
- [Entrepôt Trade Q&A](https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/qa/cat-entrepot-trade/)

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