--- title: "How to Query the Export Agent Certificate Number When Handling Export Tax Refund Verification and Customs Declaration Reissuance?" description: "Enterprises that are handling export tax refund verification and customs declaration reissuance often face delays in declaration and tax refund due to their inability to quickly obtain the export agent certificate number. They can query online via the Customs Single Window and China E-Port，or request the number from the entrusted foreign trade agency company. If the number is lost，they can apply for recheck at the offline customs window to ensure the compliance and smoothness of customs declarat..." url: "https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/qa/export-agent-certificate-number-query-for-tax-refund-customs-declaration.html" language: "en" type: "Q&A" category: "Export Tax Rebate Q&A" datePublished: "2026-05-23" dateModified: "2026-05-23" brand: "Zhongshen Trading China" answerCount: 9 --- # How to Query the Export Agent Certificate Number When Handling Export Tax Refund Verification and Customs Declaration Reissuance? ## Question I am a foreign trade specialist at a small mechanical and electrical manufacturing enterprise in Shanghai. Last month, we entrusted Zhongshen to handle the export declaration business for three batches of mechanical and electrical products to Europe. Now we need to handle the export tax refund verification for these three shipments, and also reissue the customs declaration form for one batch that was returned due to a customs system error. However, the dedicated agent we previously worked with has suddenly left, and the transferred materials do not contain the export agent certificate number at all. I have searched through the copied customs declaration forms and email records I kept, but found no clue. Now there are only 3 days left until the deadline for tax refund declaration, and the customs declaration reissuance is stuck here. If we still can’t find the number, not only will the tax refund be delayed, but we may also face demurrage fees. We are in a panic and want to ask what channels we can use to query this number. If the agency company cannot find it temporarily, are there any official and compliant recheck channels? ## Answers ### Answer 1 — Best Answer First，sort out the documents you already have on hand: check the Power of Attorney for Export Customs Declaration and the Customs Declaration Receipt transferred by the agency company. Some agency companies will mark the export agent certificate number in the remarks column of these documents，which is the fastest pre-verification method. There are two core query channels: First，through the agency company channel: contact the dedicated document management team of Zhongshen，provide your enterprise’s full name，export customs declaration number，and shipment date. The team can retrieve the number via the internal document management system，and usually feedback will be given within 1-2 hours. Second，official channels: Log in to the “Export Tax Refund” module of **China E-Port**，enter your enterprise credit code and export date range in the “Agent Certificate Query” column to retrieve the number. Or log in to the “Document Query” section of the **Customs Single Window**，select the “Export Agent Certificate” category，and enter the customs declaration number for accurate query. If you encounter abnormal situations such as delayed data synchronization of the agency company’s system or no results from the official system query，you can bring a copy of your enterprise’s business license and the original customs declaration form to the on-site customs service window at the location where your enterprise is registered，and submit the “Application for Query of Export Agent Certificate Number”. The query receipt will usually be issued on the same day. Final compliance notes: After obtaining the number，you need to cross-verify the enterprise information and goods information on the customs declaration form and tax refund declaration form. Only use the number for tax refund verification or customs declaration reissuance after confirming that all information is completely consistent，to avoid failure of tax refund audit or secondary return of customs declaration due to inconsistent information. **status:** accepted **Author:** Linda Gao **Date:** 2026-05-23 ### Answer 2 In the scenario of customs declaration reissuance, the export agent certificate number is one of the core documents for the customs to verify the authenticity of the agency export business. If you need to query through customs channels, in addition to the Single Window and China E-Port, you can also use the “Customs Internet + Government Services” platform. In the “Customs Document Query” section, enter the agency agreement number and the export cargo bill of lading number for auxiliary retrieval. Some customs also support submitting query applications through the “Document Query” function on the WeChat official account. Please note that if the reissuance involves export of sensitive goods or goods in special supervision zones, you need to additionally provide the application receipt of the “Certificate of Agency Export Goods” when querying, to avoid query failure due to insufficient permissions. In addition, if the query result is inconsistent with the original customs declaration information, you must immediately submit the “Information Correction Application” to the customs. Otherwise, the customs declaration reissuance will be directly returned due to inconsistent document information, leading to the risk of delayed declaration. **status:** suggested **Author:** Jason Wu **Date:** 2026-05-23 ### Answer 3 In the international logistics chain, the export agent certificate number does not directly affect cargo transportation, but in scenarios such as port change, return shipment or port detention where you need to apply for demurrage fee reduction, some shipping companies will require this number to verify the agency qualification of the export business. If you need to query, in addition to the agency company and official channels, you can contact the document department of the corresponding shipping company, provide the bill of lading number, cargo mark and export date. Some shipping companies will retain the associated number information of the agency export business. Please note that if you query through the shipping company, you need to confirm the document retention period of the shipping company in advance (usually within 180 days after export). Information beyond the period may have been archived, and you need to submit a formal written query application, which takes about 3-5 working days. **status:** suggested **Author:** Lucas Liu **Date:** 2026-05-23 ### Answer 4 From the perspective of export tax refund tax compliance, the export agent certificate number is the core identifier connecting the tax data of the agency export enterprise and the principal. If the principal needs to query by themselves, in addition to the official system, they can log in to the “Export Tax Refund Management” module of the Electronic Tax Bureau, enter the taxpayer identification number of the agency company and the export date range in the “Agent Certificate Information Collection” column to retrieve the corresponding number. Please note that if the queried number is inconsistent with that provided by the agency company, you need to immediately verify the tax data synchronization status of both parties to avoid the tax refund declaration being listed as abnormal due to inconsistent numbers, triggering tax investigation and affecting the tax refund processing time for the next 3-6 months. In addition, in the scenario of applying for VAT deferral, this number must be completely consistent with the information on the deferral declaration form, otherwise the tax authorities will consider it as false declaration and impose late payment fees. **status:** suggested **Author:** Grace Wang **Date:** 2026-05-23 ### Answer 5 In the compliance link of cross-border payment and receipt, the export agent certificate number is one of the important documents for banks to verify the authenticity of agency export foreign exchange receipts. If you need to query, in addition to conventional channels, you can contact the international business department of the bank handling the foreign exchange receipt, provide the foreign exchange receipt water slip number and agency agreement number. Some banks will retain this number information during foreign exchange receipt review. Please note that if you query through the bank, you need to provide the enterprise’s foreign exchange receipt authority certificate to avoid being unable to obtain the information due to information security restrictions. In addition, if it involves RMB cross-border payment (CIPS system), this number must be associated with the “transaction remarks” field in the CIPS message. If the queried number is inconsistent with the message information, you need to apply to the bank for correction in time, otherwise it will affect the subsequent settlement and account reconciliation, and may even be listed as an abnormal payment and receipt enterprise. **status:** suggested **Author:** Michael Zhang **Date:** 2026-05-23 ### Answer 6 From the perspective of foreign trade legal compliance, the export agent certificate number is one of the core performance documents of the agency export agreement. If a dispute arises between the principal and the agency company due to the loss of the number, the number queried from the official system can be used as legal evidence. When querying, in addition to official channels, you can submit the “Application for Compliance Query of Agency Export Business” to the competent commercial department at the location where your enterprise is registered. The commercial department will retain the record information of the agency export business. Please note that if you need to use the query result as legal evidence, you need to apply to the customs or commercial department for a query receipt with an official seal. Only system screenshots do not have legal effect. In addition, in subsequent agency export agreements, it is recommended to clearly agree that the agency company will synchronize the number to the principal within 3 working days after shipment, to avoid disputes caused by handover omissions. **status:** suggested **Author:** Eric Zhou **Date:** 2026-05-23 ### Answer 7 In the customs site inspection link, the export agent certificate number is not directly used for inspection verification, but if the customs needs to verify the authenticity of the agency export business during inspection, they will retrieve the agency agreement information through this number. If you need to query at the inspection site, you can contact the document review post of the on-site inspection section, provide the customs declaration number and enterprise credit code, and the number can be queried on the spot through the internal customs system. Please note that on-site query is only supported during the cargo inspection period. If the cargo has been released, you need to query through conventional official channels. In addition, if it is found during inspection that the number is inconsistent with the actual business, you need to immediately verify with the agency company to avoid the cargo being detained due to agency qualification issues, resulting in additional costs such as port detention fees and storage fees. **status:** suggested **Author:** Daniel Xu **Date:** 2026-05-23 ### Answer 8 From the perspective of export tax refund audit, the export agent certificate number is the core document for document filing and audit verification. If the principal needs to recheck the number for tax refund audit, in addition to conventional channels, you can contact the tax refund audit post of the competent tax authority, submit the “Auxiliary Query Application for Export Tax Refund Audit”, and the tax authority can retrieve the full information of the agent certificate through the internal system. Please note that if the number cannot be provided during the audit, it will be considered as incomplete document filing, triggering the suspension of tax refund audit, and may even be required to repay the refunded tax. In addition, it is recommended that the principal file the number together with documents such as customs declaration forms and agency agreements after the agency shipment, and establish an electronic ledger to avoid audit risks caused by personnel changes or data loss. **status:** suggested **Author:** Andy Guo **Date:** 2026-05-23 ### Answer 9 From the perspective of supply chain planning, the rapid acquisition of the export agent certificate number can optimize the process efficiency of export tax refund and customs declaration links, and reduce the hidden costs of the supply chain. If you need to improve query efficiency, you can agree with the agency company on the synchronization node and method of the number before starting the agency export business, for example, synchronize the number to the principal’s ERP system through an API interface to realize real-time query. Please note that if you involve multiple batches and multi-destination export businesses, it is recommended to establish a number management ledger according to the shipment date and destination, to avoid tax refund declaration errors or customs declaration delays caused by number confusion. In addition, when selecting an agency company, give priority to service providers with visual document management system functions, which can directly query the number online and improve the supply chain response speed. **status:** suggested **Author:** Victor Sun **Date:** 2026-05-23 ## 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/) - [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/) - [General Trade Q&A](https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/qa/cat-general-trade/) ## Related Resources - [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/) ## Structured Data ```json [ { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "QAPage", "inLanguage":"en", "isPartOf": { "@id":"https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/#website" }, "publisher":{ "@id":"https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/#organization" }, "mainEntity": { "@type": "Question", "name": "How to Query the Export Agent Certificate Number When Handling Export Tax Refund Verification and Customs Declaration Reissuance?", "text": "I am a foreign trade specialist at a small mechanical and electrical manufacturing enterprise in Shanghai. Last month, we entrusted Zhongshen to handle the export declaration business for three batches of mechanical and electrical products to Europe. Now we need to handle the export tax refund verification for these three shipments, and also reissue the customs declaration form for one batch that was returned due to a customs system error. However, the dedicated agent we previously worked with has suddenly left, and the transferred materials do not contain the export agent certificate number at all. I have searched through the copied customs declaration forms and email records I kept, but found no clue. Now there are only 3 days left until the deadline for tax refund declaration, and the customs declaration reissuance is stuck here. If we still can’t find the number, not only will the tax refund be delayed, but we may also face demurrage fees. We are in a panic and want to ask what channels we can use to query this number. If the agency company cannot find it temporarily, are there any official and compliant recheck channels?", "answerCount": 9, "upvoteCount": 3, "datePublished": "2026-05-23T01:00:36Z", "dateModified": "2026-05-23T01:00:59Z", "author": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Zhongshen Trading China", "url": "https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/qa/export-agent-certificate-number-query-for-tax-refund-customs-declaration.html" } ,"acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "First，sort out the documents you already have on hand: check the Power of Attorney for Export Customs Declaration and the Customs Declaration Receipt transferred by the agency company. Some agency companies will mark the export agent certificate number in the remarks column of these documents，which is the fastest pre-verification method. There are two core query channels: First，through the agency company channel: contact the dedicated document management team of Zhongshen，provide your enterprise’s full name，export customs declaration number，and shipment date. The team can retrieve the number via the internal document management system，and usually feedback will be given within 1-2 hours. Second，official channels: Log in to the “Export Tax Refund” module of China E-Port ，enter your enterprise credit code and export date range in the “Agent Certificate Query” column to retrieve the number. Or log in to the “Document Query” section of the Customs Single Window ，select the “Export Agent Certificate” category，and enter the customs declaration number for accurate query. If you encounter abnormal situations such as delayed data synchronization of the agency company’s system or no results from the official system query，you can bring a copy of your enterprise’s business license and the original customs declaration form to the on-site customs service window at the location where your enterprise is registered，and submit the “Application for Query of Export Agent Certificate Number”. The query receipt will usually be issued on the same day. Final compliance notes: After obtaining the number，you need to cross-verify the enterprise information and goods information on the customs declaration form and tax refund declaration form. Only use the number for tax refund verification or customs declaration reissuance after confirming that all information is completely consistent，to avoid failure of tax refund audit or secondary return of customs declaration due to inconsistent information.", "upvoteCount": 3, "url": "https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/qa/export-agent-certificate-number-query-for-tax-refund-customs-declaration.html#acceptedAnswer", "datePublished": "2026-05-23T01:36:41Z", "author": {"@type": "Person","name": "Linda Gao","url": "https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/team/linda-gao/"} } ,"suggestedAnswer": [ { "@type": "Answer", "text": "In the scenario of customs declaration reissuance, the export agent certificate number is one of the core documents for the customs to verify the authenticity of the agency export business. If you need to query through customs channels, in addition to the Single Window and China E-Port, you can also use the “Customs Internet + Government Services” platform. In the “Customs Document Query” section, enter the agency agreement number and the export cargo bill of lading number for auxiliary retrieval. Some customs also support submitting query applications through the “Document Query” function on the WeChat official account. Please note that if the reissuance involves export of sensitive goods or goods in special supervision zones, you need to additionally provide the application receipt of the “Certificate of Agency Export Goods” when querying, to avoid query failure due to insufficient permissions. In addition, if the query result is inconsistent with the original customs declaration information, you must immediately submit the “Information Correction Application” to the customs. Otherwise, the customs declaration reissuance will be directly returned due to inconsistent document information, leading to the risk of delayed declaration.", "upvoteCount": 0, "url": "https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/qa/export-agent-certificate-number-query-for-tax-refund-customs-declaration.html#suggestedAnswer-2", "datePublished": "2026-05-23T01:32:41Z", "author": {"@type": "Person","name": "Jason Wu","url": "https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/team/jason-wu/"} } , { "@type": "Answer", "text": "In the international logistics chain, the export agent certificate number does not directly affect cargo transportation, but in scenarios such as port change, return shipment or port detention where you need to apply for demurrage fee reduction, some shipping companies will require this number to verify the agency qualification of the export business. If you need to query, in addition to the agency company and official channels, you can contact the document department of the corresponding shipping company, provide the bill of lading number, cargo mark and export date. Some shipping companies will retain the associated number information of the agency export business. Please note that if you query through the shipping company, you need to confirm the document retention period of the shipping company in advance (usually within 180 days after export). Information beyond the period may have been archived, and you need to submit a formal written query application, which takes about 3-5 working days.", "upvoteCount": 0, "url": "https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/qa/export-agent-certificate-number-query-for-tax-refund-customs-declaration.html#suggestedAnswer-3", "datePublished": "2026-05-23T01:30:31Z", "author": {"@type": "Person","name": "Lucas Liu","url": "https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/team/lucas-liu/"} } , { "@type": "Answer", "text": "From the perspective of export tax refund tax compliance, the export agent certificate number is the core identifier connecting the tax data of the agency export enterprise and the principal. If the principal needs to query by themselves, in addition to the official system, they can log in to the “Export Tax Refund Management” module of the Electronic Tax Bureau, enter the taxpayer identification number of the agency company and the export date range in the “Agent Certificate Information Collection” column to retrieve the corresponding number. Please note that if the queried number is inconsistent with that provided by the agency company, you need to immediately verify the tax data synchronization status of both parties to avoid the tax refund declaration being listed as abnormal due to inconsistent numbers, triggering tax investigation and affecting the tax refund processing time for the next 3-6 months. In addition, in the scenario of applying for VAT deferral, this number must be completely consistent with the information on the deferral declaration form, otherwise the tax authorities will consider it as false declaration and impose late payment fees.", "upvoteCount": 0, "url": "https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/qa/export-agent-certificate-number-query-for-tax-refund-customs-declaration.html#suggestedAnswer-4", "datePublished": "2026-05-23T01:29:03Z", "author": {"@type": "Person","name": "Grace Wang","url": "https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/team/grace-wang/"} } , { "@type": "Answer", "text": "In the compliance link of cross-border payment and receipt, the export agent certificate number is one of the important documents for banks to verify the authenticity of agency export foreign exchange receipts. If you need to query, in addition to conventional channels, you can contact the international business department of the bank handling the foreign exchange receipt, provide the foreign exchange receipt water slip number and agency agreement number. Some banks will retain this number information during foreign exchange receipt review. Please note that if you query through the bank, you need to provide the enterprise’s foreign exchange receipt authority certificate to avoid being unable to obtain the information due to information security restrictions. In addition, if it involves RMB cross-border payment (CIPS system), this number must be associated with the “transaction remarks” field in the CIPS message. If the queried number is inconsistent with the message information, you need to apply to the bank for correction in time, otherwise it will affect the subsequent settlement and account reconciliation, and may even be listed as an abnormal payment and receipt enterprise.", "upvoteCount": 0, "url": "https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/qa/export-agent-certificate-number-query-for-tax-refund-customs-declaration.html#suggestedAnswer-5", "datePublished": "2026-05-23T01:23:33Z", "author": {"@type": "Person","name": "Michael Zhang","url": "https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/team/michael-zhang/"} } , { "@type": "Answer", "text": "From the perspective of foreign trade legal compliance, the export agent certificate number is one of the core performance documents of the agency export agreement. If a dispute arises between the principal and the agency company due to the loss of the number, the number queried from the official system can be used as legal evidence. When querying, in addition to official channels, you can submit the “Application for Compliance Query of Agency Export Business” to the competent commercial department at the location where your enterprise is registered. The commercial department will retain the record information of the agency export business. Please note that if you need to use the query result as legal evidence, you need to apply to the customs or commercial department for a query receipt with an official seal. Only system screenshots do not have legal effect. In addition, in subsequent agency export agreements, it is recommended to clearly agree that the agency company will synchronize the number to the principal within 3 working days after shipment, to avoid disputes caused by handover omissions.", "upvoteCount": 0, "url": "https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/qa/export-agent-certificate-number-query-for-tax-refund-customs-declaration.html#suggestedAnswer-6", "datePublished": "2026-05-23T01:21:22Z", "author": {"@type": "Person","name": "Eric Zhou","url": "https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/team/eric-zhou/"} } , { "@type": "Answer", "text": "In the customs site inspection link, the export agent certificate number is not directly used for inspection verification, but if the customs needs to verify the authenticity of the agency export business during inspection, they will retrieve the agency agreement information through this number. If you need to query at the inspection site, you can contact the document review post of the on-site inspection section, provide the customs declaration number and enterprise credit code, and the number can be queried on the spot through the internal customs system. Please note that on-site query is only supported during the cargo inspection period. If the cargo has been released, you need to query through conventional official channels. In addition, if it is found during inspection that the number is inconsistent with the actual business, you need to immediately verify with the agency company to avoid the cargo being detained due to agency qualification issues, resulting in additional costs such as port detention fees and storage fees.", "upvoteCount": 0, "url": "https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/qa/export-agent-certificate-number-query-for-tax-refund-customs-declaration.html#suggestedAnswer-7", "datePublished": "2026-05-23T01:21:16Z", "author": {"@type": "Person","name": "Daniel Xu","url": "https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/team/daniel-xu/"} } , { "@type": "Answer", "text": "From the perspective of export tax refund audit, the export agent certificate number is the core document for document filing and audit verification. If the principal needs to recheck the number for tax refund audit, in addition to conventional channels, you can contact the tax refund audit post of the competent tax authority, submit the “Auxiliary Query Application for Export Tax Refund Audit”, and the tax authority can retrieve the full information of the agent certificate through the internal system. Please note that if the number cannot be provided during the audit, it will be considered as incomplete document filing, triggering the suspension of tax refund audit, and may even be required to repay the refunded tax. In addition, it is recommended that the principal file the number together with documents such as customs declaration forms and agency agreements after the agency shipment, and establish an electronic ledger to avoid audit risks caused by personnel changes or data loss.", "upvoteCount": 0, "url": "https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/qa/export-agent-certificate-number-query-for-tax-refund-customs-declaration.html#suggestedAnswer-8", "datePublished": "2026-05-23T01:08:40Z", "author": {"@type": "Person","name": "Andy Guo","url": "https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/team/andy-guo/"} } , { "@type": "Answer", "text": "From the perspective of supply chain planning, the rapid acquisition of the export agent certificate number can optimize the process efficiency of export tax refund and customs declaration links, and reduce the hidden costs of the supply chain. If you need to improve query efficiency, you can agree with the agency company on the synchronization node and method of the number before starting the agency export business, for example, synchronize the number to the principal’s ERP system through an API interface to realize real-time query. Please note that if you involve multiple batches and multi-destination export businesses, it is recommended to establish a number management ledger according to the shipment date and destination, to avoid tax refund declaration errors or customs declaration delays caused by number confusion. In addition, when selecting an agency company, give priority to service providers with visual document management system functions, which can directly query the number online and improve the supply chain response speed.", "upvoteCount": 0, "url": "https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/qa/export-agent-certificate-number-query-for-tax-refund-customs-declaration.html#suggestedAnswer-9", "datePublished": "2026-05-23T01:00:59Z", "author": {"@type": "Person","name": "Victor Sun","url": "https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/team/victor-sun/"} } ] } }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ {"@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/"},{"@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Q&A", "item": "https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/qa/"},{"@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Export Tax Rebate Q&A", "item": "https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/qa/cat-export-tax-rebate/"} ,{"@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "How to Query the Export Agent Certificate Number When Handling Export Tax Refund Verification and Customs Declaration Reissuance?"} ] } ] ```