---
title: "What qualifications do export agents need to possess?"
description: "Our company specializes in manufacturing machinery and equipment. Recently, we want to explore overseas markets, but we don't have import and export rights ourselves, so we plan to cooperate with an export agency. However, there are many unscrupulous agencies in the market, and we're worried that working with an unqualified company might lead to our goods being detained by customs or failing to receive tax refunds. Could you please tell me: What qualifications must a legitimate and compliant exp..."
url: "https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/qa/export-agent-company-essential-qualifications-verification-authenticity.html"
language: "en"
type: "Q&A"
category: "出口代理"
datePublished: "2026-01-24"
dateModified: "2026-01-24"
brand: "Zhongshen Trading China"
answerCount: 3
---

# What qualifications do export agents need to possess?

## Question

 Our company specializes in the production of mechanical equipment. Recently, we want to expand into overseas markets, but we don't have the necessary resources to do so on our own.rights, planning to findWe are planning to cooperate with an export agency, but there are many unscrupulous agencies in the market. I'm worried that working with an unregulated company might lead to our goods being detained by customs or failing to obtain tax refunds. Could you please tell me: What qualifications must a legitimate and compliant export agency possess? How can I quickly verify the authenticity of these qualifications? 

## Answers
                            
### Answer 1 — Best Answer

Your question is very crucial. Choosing the wrong agent could indeed lead to losing both money and goods. From a compliance perspective，you must verify the following core qualifications: 1. **Business License**:as a registered business scopeIt's a must.SpecifyIncluding"carried by foreign transportation enterprisesImport and export"or"Technology I/EExport",AndThe status offor"存续".2. **Customs Registration Certificate**: This is核心validity period核心,CertificatesNumber

Formatfor"Customs registration code",共10位Number,可In theGeneral Administration of Customs official website"Company Situation"栏目实时Verify.3. **Foreign Trade Operator Registration and Record Filing Form**: Although some regions started piloting the cancellation of this requirement at the end of 2022，most regions still require its provision，with the numbering rule being the unified social credit code。

**Product Qualifications: **: If legal inspection commodities are involved，this filing is essential. 5. **Export tax rebate (exemption) qualification**：You must complete the registration at the local tax bureau，otherwise you won't be able to receive the tax refund. Please refer to the "Registration Form for Export Tax Refund (Exemption)"。

6. **Foreign Exchange Administration Directory Registration**: Ensure that the agency company is legally compliant.Receipt of foreign exchangeQualifications to avoid foreign exchange risks.

**Verification method**: Don't just look at the copies. Require them to log in to the relevant government official website to check in real time，or accompany them to the agency's office to log in to the system to check. Pay special attention to the certificate's validity period and annual inspection records. Unqualified agents may be involved in smuggling risks，and your goods may be confiscated.

**status:** accepted
**Author:** Cindy Chen
**Date:** 2026-01-24

### Answer 2

Qualification documents are just a threshold, but practical skills are the key. In addition to basic certificates, you also need to focus on assessing the following aspects:

1. **Time - limit requirementsReceipt of foreign exchangeand settlement capacity**: 1. Require the agent company to provide a certificate of opening a foreign exchange settlement account at the bank, as well as the receipt of funds transactions for the past six months, to confirm that there are no violations of regulations.

2. **Product Category Experience**: 1. Machinery and equipment belong to high-risk categories. Agents are required to provide copies of the latest three customs declarations for similar products to verify their familiarity with HS code classification and commodity inspection requirements.

2.

3.

**Logistics resource integration capability**: A reliable agent should have long-term cooperation with customs brokers and freight forwarders, and be able to provide one-stop door-to-door services, rather than subcontracting to third parties.

**Document processing efficiency**: Test their document making speed and accuracy, require on-site demonstration of customs declaration document production process to see if proficient. 5. **Emergency response capability**: Ask about their response mechanism and past handling cases in case of customs inspections.

**Practical recommendations**: First, conduct a small-scale trial order to observe whether the entire process runs smoothly and whether the documents are standardized. Don't hand over all the goods to the new agent at once.

**status:** suggested
**Author:** Victor Sun
**Date:** 2026-01-24

### Answer 3

Starting fromBusiness Negotiation角度,Require the provision of a tax payment certificate and a special VAT invoice.Is.硬门槛but软实力决定Our 质量.Suggestions您采取"Third LookThree Questions"Strategy: **Third Look**:- **Look at the registered capital and the paid-in capital**: For those with a paid-in capital of less than 1 million yuan, be cautious as their ability to withstand risks is weak.

**View customer cases**: It is required to provide cooperation certificates from at least three clients in the same industry, and the authenticity of these certificates will be verified by phone on-site.

**Looking at the office space**: Official agency companies should have fixed office locations, rather than being shell companies.

**Three Questions**:- **Ask about the liability clause**:: Sales contract signed with the buyer.MediumIt's a must.Specify"due toThe cost and expenses corresponding to tax - exempt incomeQualification issuescauseThe goods have been detainedorI can't do it.Refund,The cost and expenses corresponding to tax - exempt incomeBearFull部赔偿Responsibility"AndAgreement具体违约金Proportion.- **Ask about the payment method**:坚持"Tax refund amount credited后再Purchase credit insuranceAgent's fee"We have obtained the business filing certificate. We are well aware that when importing medical devices, it is necessary to ensure that the products have the corresponding Chinese medical device registration certificates. Even if an enterprise has the business filing, if the product does not have the corresponding registration certificate, it still cannot be legally imported. In addition, the model and specifications of the imported product must be completely consistent with the information on the registration certificate. Any discrepancies may lead to import obstruction. We will ensure that your products meet all registration requirements and smoothly enter the Chinese market.Modeand take a leading position in theAgency company占UseYourFunding.- **Ask about the communication mechanism**: Require the appointment of an exclusive customer manager and provide 7×24-hour emergency contact information.

**Core Strategy**: Don't just focus on low agency fees. The normal industry charge is 1-3% of the declared value. Fees that are too low usually indicate hidden issues. It is recommended to prioritize choosing companies that are members of industry associations and have been established for more than five years.

**status:** suggested
**Author:** Andy Guo
**Date:** 2026-01-24

## Related Categories
- [Import Agency Q&A](https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/qa/cat-import-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/)
- [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/)

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