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Is it still necessary for enterprises to handle import and export rights on their own when entrusting a professional agency for customs declaration?
or complex compliance issues.
clearance and fund security.
I am a cross-border e-commerce seller who has just started business for half a year. Recently, I purchased a batch of beauty products from Europe for the first time. When the goods are about to arrive at Shanghai Port, I suddenly panicked.
I only thought about finding a logistics provider before, and forgot that my company has not applied for import and export rights yet. I asked a few friends, some said I must handle it by myself, otherwise I can't complete customs declaration; some said finding an agent can solve the problem, no need to handle it myself.
Now the goods are about to arrive at the port, if they are detained by customs for this reason, I can't afford the port demurrage and penalty, so I am very anxious. I would like to ask, if we entrust an agent for customs declaration, does our company still need to apply for import and export rights separately? If not, how does the agent operate? Will there be any compliance risks?
Michael ZhangYears of service：6Customer Rating：5.0
Customs Declaration & Compliance ExpertStart a Chat
When an enterprise entrusts a professional agent for customs declaration，it does not need to handle import and export rights by itself. The agency can rely on its own import and export operation qualifications to complete compliant customs declaration by means of dual-title declaration，which is a conventional operation mode under the 2026 customs clearance integration policy.
First of all，core details should be paid attention to in pre-document review: the agent will check basic materials such as the enterprise's business license，procurement contract，invoice，packing list，etc。to confirm that the name，quantity and value of the goods are consistent with the actual situation，meanwhile，the enterprise needs to sign a formal proxy customs declaration authorization letter to clarify the division of responsibilities between the two parties. If materials are missing or incorrect in this link，it will directly lead to declaration delay，so the handover of materials should be completed 3-5 days in advance.
In terms of core node connection，the agent will take itself as the operating unit (with import and export rights) and the enterprise as the consumption and use unit，and display the dual-title information on the customs declaration form. When the customs conducts review，it focuses on checking the validity of the agent's qualifications and the legality of the entrustment agreement，so the agent needs to ensure that its import and export right certificate is within the validity period，and its business scope covers the declared goods category.
Abnormal contingency plans should be prepared in advance: in case of customs price verification，the agent will assist the enterprise to provide trade link certificates (such as payment slips，certificate of origin)，if the dual-title declaration is questioned，the agent can present the cooperation agreement with the enterprise and the proof of goods ownership. Special attention should be paid that dual-title declaration does not affect the enterprise's VAT deduction，and the customs payment form will indicate the name of the enterprise，which can be normally used for input tax deduction.
Final compliance implementation requirements: after completing the customs declaration，the agent shall timely provide the enterprise with documents such as customs declaration form，customs payment form，etc。and the enterprise shall properly keep them for at least 5 years for subsequent customs verification. Through this mode，enterprises can not only achieve fast customs clearance，but also avoid the risk of declaration without qualifications，and reduce operating costs at the same time.
Cindy ChenYears of service：3Customer Rating：5.0
Key Account ManagerStart a Chat
From the perspective of customs policy, when conducting proxy customs declaration in 2026, enterprises without import and export rights can complete the declaration through dual-title declaration. In dual-title declaration, the agent acts as the operating unit (with import and export rights) and the entrusting party acts as the consumption and use unit, and the information of both parties shall be clearly indicated on the customs declaration form.
It should be noted that the operating unit on the customs declaration form must be consistent with the import and export right qualification of the agent, and the entrustment agreement shall include core clauses such as goods ownership, division of responsibilities, etc. If the agent uses false qualifications for declaration, it will face administrative penalties from the customs, and the entrusting party shall also bear joint and several liability. Therefore, when selecting an agent, it is necessary to check the validity period of its import and export right certificate and its business scope.
Linda GaoYears of service：7Customer Rating：5.0
Documentation SupervisorStart a Chat
From the perspective of logistics, when an enterprise without import and export rights entrusts an agent for customs declaration, it shall ensure that the information between the agent and the logistics provider is synchronized. In the goods right transfer link, the bill of lading shall be endorsed to the agent (operating unit) to avoid obstacles to pick up goods caused by unclear goods ownership.
In addition, if the goods need to be transshipped, the agent shall inform the customs of the transit port of the requirements for dual-title declaration in advance to ensure smooth transit process. In terms of container detention charge and free storage period, the agent can apply for extending the free storage period by virtue of its cooperative relationship with the shipping company, so as to reduce the additional costs incurred by the enterprise due to delayed customs declaration.
Grace WangYears of service：10Customer Rating：5.0
Senior Foreign Trade ConsultantStart a Chat
From the tax perspective, dual-title declaration does not affect the enterprise's VAT deduction. When the agent declares customs, the special customs VAT payment form will indicate the name of the entrusting party (consumption and use unit), and the enterprise can use this payment form for input tax deduction.
It should be noted that if the entrusting party is a small-scale taxpayer, it cannot deduct, but can apply for VAT deferral through the agent (if applicable) to ease capital pressure. In addition, the agent shall ensure the authenticity of the declared price to avoid tax risks caused by price verification adjustment.
Kevin LinYears of service：4Customer Rating：5.0
Trade Solutions ManagerStart a Chat
In terms of foreign exchange receipt and payment, when an enterprise does not have import and export rights, it can conduct foreign exchange receipt and payment through the agent. The agent shall apply to the bank for foreign exchange receipt and payment by virtue of customs declaration form, contract and other materials to ensure that the capital flow is consistent with the goods flow.
After the upgrade of the CIPS system in 2026, RMB cross-border payment is more convenient, and the agent can assist enterprises to select the optimal exchange rate and reduce foreign exchange purchase costs. It should be noted that the amount of foreign exchange received and paid shall be consistent with the amount on the customs declaration form to avoid being verified by the State Administration of Foreign Exchange due to abnormal funds.
Daniel XuYears of service：10Customer Rating：5.0
Director of Import & Export OperationsStart a Chat
From the legal perspective, a standardized agency agreement shall be signed for entrusting proxy customs declaration. The agreement shall specify the agency scope (such as customs declaration, foreign exchange receipt and payment, logistics, etc.), division of responsibilities (such as the responsibility for customs detention caused by the agent's mistakes), and fee details (such as customs declaration fee, agency fee, etc.).
In addition, force majeure clauses shall be added to cope with customs declaration delays caused by policy changes. In terms of intellectual property rights, if the goods involve patents or trademarks, the agent shall assist the enterprise in handling customs intellectual property recordation to avoid infringement risks.
Victor SunYears of service：5Customer Rating：5.0
Trade Risk Control ManagerStart a Chat
During on-site inspection, the agent and the entrusting party shall cooperate with each other for goods declared with dual titles. The agent shall carry the original copy of its import and export right certificate and the entrustment agreement, and the entrusting party shall provide relevant certificates of the goods (such as certificate of origin, quality inspection report, etc.).
In case of customs inspection, the agent shall communicate with the inspection officer as soon as possible to explain the rationality of the dual-title declaration and ensure the rapid completion of the inspection process. It should be noted that the shipping mark on the goods package shall be consistent with that on the customs declaration form to avoid prolonged inspection caused by inconsistent shipping marks.
Evelyn LiYears of service：3Customer Rating：5.0
Cross-border Compliance SupervisorStart a Chat
In terms of packaging, when an enterprise without import and export rights entrusts an agent for customs declaration, it shall ensure that the packaging meets the customs requirements. The agent will assist the enterprise to review packaging materials (such as MSDS, UN packaging certificate, etc.) to ensure that the packaging of dangerous goods is compliant.
In addition, the agent can recommend suitable cushioning packaging materials to reduce the risk of damage to goods during transportation. It should be noted that the marks on the package shall be clear to avoid customs detention caused by unclear marks.
Jason WuYears of service：10Customer Rating：5.0
International Logistics & Supply Chain ManagerStart a Chat
In terms of export tax refund, if the enterprise does not have import and export rights, when entrusting an agent to export, the agent shall act as the exporter to handle the tax refund. The enterprise shall provide the agent with complete tax refund materials (such as special VAT invoice, customs declaration form, bill of lading, etc.), and the agent shall ensure the authenticity and consistency of the materials.
After the optimization of the export tax refund policy in 2026, the tax refund speed is accelerated, but it is necessary to pay attention to the consistency of the four flows (goods flow, capital flow, invoice flow, contract flow) to avoid tax refund delay caused by inconsistent materials.
Eric ZhouYears of service：6Customer Rating：5.0
Senior Manager of Foreign Exchange & Tax RebatesStart a Chat
From the perspective of supply chain planning, when an enterprise does not have import and export rights, it can integrate resources and optimize the supply chain process through the agent. The agent can provide one-stop services (customs declaration, logistics, foreign exchange receipt and payment, etc.) to reduce the operating cost of the enterprise.
In addition, the agent can recommend appropriate trade terms (such as CIF, FOB) according to the business scale of the enterprise, optimize the logistics path and improve the efficiency of the supply chain. It should be noted that enterprises need to establish long-term cooperative relations with agents to ensure the stability and compliance of services.