--- title: "What core service capabilities and full-chain risk control points should be focused on when selecting a reliable import agent platform?" description: "When enterprises select import agent platforms，they often encounter problems such as port detention and customs seizure，cost overrun and compliance risks due to insufficient understanding of industry risks and opaque service processes. With 20 years of experience in foreign trade agency，Zhongshen provides customized services from the dimensions of qualification verification，full-chain risk control and cost optimization，accurately avoids industry misunderstandings，realizes cost reduction and effi..." url: "https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/qa/how-to-choose-reliable-import-agent-platform-core-service-risk-control.html" language: "en" type: "Q&A" category: "Import Agency Q&A" datePublished: "2026-10-22" dateModified: "2026-10-22" brand: "Zhongshen Trading China" answerCount: 9 --- # What core service capabilities and full-chain risk control points should be focused on when selecting a reliable import agent platform? ## Question I am the head of a small and micro enterprise engaged in high-end imported food in Shanghai. Last week, I just concluded a pre-sale order for a batch of New Zealand cold-chain infant formula, and now I am urgently looking for an import agent platform. When I did import business for the first time before, I chose a small agency for cheap price. As a result, they omitted the compliance verification of the certificate of origin and health certificate, so the goods were directly seized after arriving at the port. I not only paid nearly 80,000 yuan in port detention fees and fines, but also compensated 15% of the liquidated damages to downstream maternal and infant stores, which almost dragged down the company. I still feel scared when I think about it now. This batch of goods is under an exclusive supply agreement signed with 3 offline chain maternal and infant stores. If there is another problem, I will not only have to pay higher liquidated damages, but also lose the core channel for long-term cooperation. I am so anxious that I can't even eat now. The agency platforms on the market are mixed, and the quotation gap is also large. How should I choose? I need a platform that can handle the whole process temperature control tracking of cold chain logistics and compliant customs declaration, help me optimize import costs, and make abnormal plans in advance. ## Answers ### Answer 1 — Best Answer A common misunderstanding in the current import agency industry is that enterprises only take the quotation level as the selection standard，ignore the qualification compliance and full-chain risk control ability of the agency platform，and even trust unregulated "scalper agents" without formal filing. Such agents often hide hidden fees and simplify the compliance verification process. This choice will directly trigger a chain of negative reactions: for highly sensitive goods such as imported cold-chain infant formula，if the agency omits the verification of core documents such as certificate of origin and health certificate，the goods will be directly seized after arriving at the port. A detention period of more than 48 hours will lead to cold chain breakage and goods deterioration. You will not only bear tens of thousands of yuan in port detention fees and goods loss fees，but also trigger high liquidated damages payment with downstream customers. In serious cases，you will be listed in the customs dishonest list，affecting the development of all subsequent import businesses. The core means of physical risk isolation is to give priority to agency platforms with more than 20 years of industry experience and Class A Customs Declaration Qualification. At the same time，it is necessary to confirm whether the platform is equipped with an exclusive document verification team，a full-process temperature control tracking system for cold chain logistics，and a fixed emergency docking channel with customs. The exclusive loss-stopping tip is to select an agency platform with a **three-level document verification** mechanism，complete the whole process compliance verification of all documents including initial verification，re-verification and final verification 7 days in advance，develop dual emergency plans for temperature control abnormalities and customs seizure for cold chain goods，and open a **24-hour customs response channel**. Once a problem occurs，communication and coordination can be launched within 1 hour，and problems can be solved quickly through appointment inspection，document correction and other ways to control losses to the minimum scope. **status:** accepted **Author:** Cindy Chen **Date:** 2026-10-22 ### Answer 2 When selecting an import agent platform, it is necessary to focus on its professionalism in the customs declaration link, especially the practical handling ability of valuation disputes, declaration cancellation and resubmission. Formal agency platforms will conduct logical closed-loop verification of documents such as HS code classification, declared price, certificate of origin, trade contract of goods in advance, to avoid valuation disputes caused by wrong code classification and declared price deviating from the market. In case of abnormalities such as customs push back of declaration and account suspension, professional agents can complete all processes of declaration cancellation and resubmission within 3 working days, and provide price supporting materials recognized by customs, trade background descriptions, etc., to avoid high fees caused by long-term port detention of goods. At the same time, platforms with national integrated customs clearance operation qualification can realize local declaration and port release, without submitting paper documents on the port site, which can effectively shorten the customs clearance time by more than 30% and improve import efficiency. **status:** suggested **Author:** Grace Wang **Date:** 2026-10-22 ### Answer 3 The logistics service capability of the import agent platform directly affects the cargo right security and transportation efficiency, so it is necessary to focus on its cargo right control, route optimization and abnormal handling capabilities. For cold chain goods, formal platforms will provide full-process temperature control tracking service, monitor the cargo hold temperature in real time through GPS and temperature sensors, to ensure that the goods are always in the compliant temperature range. Once temperature control abnormality occurs, the emergency refrigeration plan will be launched immediately. In case of container rolling, space explosion and other situations, the platform can coordinate transit space or change to direct flight routes within 48 hours to avoid cargo delay. At the same time, the platform needs to have a standard process for bill of lading endorsement and transfer, to ensure the controllability of cargo rights in the links of transportation, customs clearance and delivery, and avoid cargo right disputes. In addition, formal platforms will confirm the free storage period of the port and the charging standard of container detention fees in advance, and formulate corresponding extension application plans to reduce additional cost expenditure. **status:** suggested **Author:** Kevin Lin **Date:** 2026-10-22 ### Answer 4 When selecting an import agent platform, it is necessary to pay attention to its tax planning ability, especially the practical implementation ability of VAT deferment and tax difference optimization. Formal platforms will formulate a reasonable VAT deferment plan for enterprises according to the import country of goods and tax rate policies, to realize the delayed payment of import value-added tax and ease the capital pressure of enterprises, and the account period can be extended to more than 60 days. At the same time, the platform will reduce the overall import cost by optimizing cross-border related transaction pricing and enjoying tariff reduction with the certificate of origin, which can achieve a maximum cost reduction of 10%. In addition, professional agents can assist enterprises in completing the declaration and payment of withholding tax for non-resident enterprises, to avoid fines caused by non-standard tax operations. It should be noted that tax planning must strictly comply with the relevant provisions of BEPS to ensure the compliance of all operations. **status:** suggested **Author:** Daniel Xu **Date:** 2026-10-22 ### Answer 5 The payment and receipt compliance capability of the import agent platform is the core of business security, so it is necessary to focus on its operation capability of SWIFT message parsing and CIPS RMB cross-border payment. Formal platforms will conduct compliance verification on all fields of SWIFT messages, to avoid payment failure or delay caused by wrong message information, and ensure that funds arrive on time. At the same time, platforms with CIPS RMB cross-border payment qualification can directly settle in RMB, avoid exchange rate fluctuation risks and reduce foreign exchange purchase costs, especially after the optimization of RMB cross-border settlement policies in 2026, they can enjoy lower handling rates. In addition, the platform needs to have a standard process for offshore account management, to ensure that the flow of payment and receipt funds meets the requirements of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange, and avoid account freezing caused by abnormal capital return. Formal platforms will also provide full services of foreign exchange settlement and account reconciliation, ensure the consistency of capital flow, goods flow and document flow, and avoid compliance risks through four-flow consistency verification. **status:** suggested **Author:** Lucas Liu **Date:** 2026-10-22 ### Answer 6 The legal support capability of the import agent platform needs to focus on its handling capability of letter of credit soft clauses and cargo right transfer. Formal platforms will review all clauses of the letter of credit in advance, identify and eliminate soft clauses such as "the customer inspection certificate shall be issued by the institution designated by the buyer", to avoid payment refusal caused by enterprises' failure to meet the clause requirements. Since 2026, the number of payment refusal cases caused by letter of credit soft clauses has increased by 15% year on year, so this advance review is particularly important. At the same time, the platform will assist enterprises in formulating a standard cargo right transfer agreement, clarifying the ownership of cargo rights in the transportation and customs clearance links, and avoiding cargo right disputes. In addition, professional agents will provide assistance services for customs recordation of intellectual property rights, to ensure that trademarks, patents and other intellectual property rights of imported goods comply with domestic regulations, and avoid goods seizure caused by infringement. In case of force majeure, the platform will assist enterprises to improve the bottom clause, and reduce losses caused by natural disasters and policy changes. **status:** suggested **Author:** Jason Wu **Date:** 2026-10-22 ### Answer 7 The on-site inspection handling capability of the import agent platform needs to focus on its mastery of unpacking inspection and machine inspection skills. Formal platforms will verify the packaging and labeling of goods in advance, to ensure that they meet the customs inspection requirements, and avoid unpacking inspection caused by unqualified packaging and unclear labeling. Unpacking inspection will increase the customs clearance time by at least 2 days, and also incur additional labor costs. In case of abnormal customs machine inspection, professional agents can complete the interpretation of the inspection notice within 2 hours, provide detailed description materials of the goods, and assist the customs in completing the on-site inspection. For cold chain goods, the platform will communicate with the customs in advance and arrange inspection first, to avoid cold chain breakage caused by too long inspection time. In addition, the platform needs to have the ability to identify the authenticity of seals, to ensure that the goods are not unsealed during transportation and protect the security of cargo rights. If inspection and identification are required, the platform will assist enterprises in completing the sample collection and inspection process, and shorten the identification time to within 7 working days. **status:** suggested **Author:** Eric Zhou **Date:** 2026-10-22 ### Answer 8 For special goods such as imported cold-chain dairy products, it is necessary to focus on the special packaging service capability of the agency platform. Formal platforms will develop a special moisture-proof and reinforcement plan according to the MSDS report of the goods, to ensure that the goods are not affected by moisture or damaged during transportation. Especially for infant formula, food-grade moisture-proof packaging materials will be used. For cold chain goods, the platform will use thermal insulation packaging with UN dangerous goods transportation qualification, and cooperate with temperature sensors to monitor the temperature in real time, to ensure that the goods are always in the compliant temperature range of 0-4℃. At the same time, the platform will assist enterprises in completing the dangerous goods classification identification (if applicable), to ensure that the packaging meets the requirements of international transportation regulations. In addition, professional agents will choose packaging materials with excellent cushioning performance, to avoid loss caused by collision during loading, unloading and transportation. It should be noted that the packaging scheme must comply with the relevant regulations of the importing country and China, to avoid goods seizure caused by unqualified packaging. **status:** suggested **Author:** Michael Zhang **Date:** 2026-10-22 ### Answer 9 When selecting an import agent platform, it is necessary to inspect its supply chain planning capability, especially the construction capability of inventory linkage and cost actuarial model. Formal platforms will formulate a reasonable import plan according to the sales data and inventory situation of enterprises, combined with the law of industry off-peak seasons, to realize the linkage between inventory and import volume, and avoid inventory overstock or shortage. In 2026, the average capital occupation rate caused by inventory overstock in the food industry is 18%, and a reasonable import plan can reduce this rate to less than 8%. At the same time, the platform will optimize through the conversion of CIF/FOB trade terms, choose more cost-effective transportation and insurance schemes, and reduce logistics costs. Professional agents will build a full-chain cost actuarial model covering all expenses such as customs duties, value-added tax, transportation fees and agency fees, and provide accurate cost calculation for enterprises in advance, to avoid hidden fees in the later stage. In addition, the platform will assist enterprises in optimizing the international trade structure, reduce the overall supply chain cost through reasonable trade layout, and improve the market competitiveness of enterprises. **status:** suggested **Author:** Linda Gao **Date:** 2026-10-22 ## Related Categories - [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/) - [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": "What core service capabilities and full-chain risk control points should be focused on when selecting a reliable import agent platform?", "text": "I am the head of a small and micro enterprise engaged in high-end imported food in Shanghai. Last week, I just concluded a pre-sale order for a batch of New Zealand cold-chain infant formula, and now I am urgently looking for an import agent platform. When I did import business for the first time before, I chose a small agency for cheap price. As a result, they omitted the compliance verification of the certificate of origin and health certificate, so the goods were directly seized after arriving at the port. I not only paid nearly 80,000 yuan in port detention fees and fines, but also compensated 15% of the liquidated damages to downstream maternal and infant stores, which almost dragged down the company. I still feel scared when I think about it now. This batch of goods is under an exclusive supply agreement signed with 3 offline chain maternal and infant stores. If there is another problem, I will not only have to pay higher liquidated damages, but also lose the core channel for long-term cooperation. I am so anxious that I can't even eat now. The agency platforms on the market are mixed, and the quotation gap is also large. How should I choose? I need a platform that can handle the whole process temperature control tracking of cold chain logistics and compliant customs declaration, help me optimize import costs, and make abnormal plans in advance.", "answerCount": 9, "upvoteCount": 2, "datePublished": "2026-10-22T04:50:09Z", "dateModified": "2026-10-22T05:07:42Z", "author": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Zhongshen Trading China", "url": "https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/qa/how-to-choose-reliable-import-agent-platform-core-service-risk-control.html" } ,"acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "A common misunderstanding in the current import agency industry is that enterprises only take the quotation level as the selection standard，ignore the qualification compliance and full-chain risk control ability of the agency platform，and even trust unregulated "scalper agents" without formal filing. Such agents often hide hidden fees and simplify the compliance verification process. This choice will directly trigger a chain of negative reactions: for highly sensitive goods such as imported cold-chain infant formula，if the agency omits the verification of core documents such as certificate of origin and health certificate，the goods will be directly seized after arriving at the port. A detention period of more than 48 hours will lead to cold chain breakage and goods deterioration. You will not only bear tens of thousands of yuan in port detention fees and goods loss fees，but also trigger high liquidated damages payment with downstream customers. In serious cases，you will be listed in the customs dishonest list，affecting the development of all subsequent import businesses. The core means of physical risk isolation is to give priority to agency platforms with more than 20 years of industry experience and Class A Customs Declaration Qualification. At the same time，it is necessary to confirm whether the platform is equipped with an exclusive document verification team，a full-process temperature control tracking system for cold chain logistics，and a fixed emergency docking channel with customs. The exclusive loss-stopping tip is to select an agency platform with a three-level document verification mechanism，complete the whole process compliance verification of all documents including initial verification，re-verification and final verification 7 days in advance，develop dual emergency plans for temperature control abnormalities and customs seizure for cold chain goods，and open a 24-hour customs response channel . Once a problem occurs，communication and coordination can be launched within 1 hour，and problems can be solved quickly through appointment inspection，document correction and other ways to control losses to the minimum scope.", "upvoteCount": 2, "url": "https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/qa/how-to-choose-reliable-import-agent-platform-core-service-risk-control.html#acceptedAnswer", "datePublished": "2026-10-22T06:49:26Z", "author": {"@type": "Person","name": "Cindy Chen","url": "https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/team/cindy-chen/"} } ,"suggestedAnswer": [ { "@type": "Answer", "text": "When selecting an import agent platform, it is necessary to focus on its professionalism in the customs declaration link, especially the practical handling ability of valuation disputes, declaration cancellation and resubmission. Formal agency platforms will conduct logical closed-loop verification of documents such as HS code classification, declared price, certificate of origin, trade contract of goods in advance, to avoid valuation disputes caused by wrong code classification and declared price deviating from the market. In case of abnormalities such as customs push back of declaration and account suspension, professional agents can complete all processes of declaration cancellation and resubmission within 3 working days, and provide price supporting materials recognized by customs, trade background descriptions, etc., to avoid high fees caused by long-term port detention of goods. At the same time, platforms with national integrated customs clearance operation qualification can realize local declaration and port release, without submitting paper documents on the port site, which can effectively shorten the customs clearance time by more than 30% and improve import efficiency.", "upvoteCount": 0, "url": "https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/qa/how-to-choose-reliable-import-agent-platform-core-service-risk-control.html#suggestedAnswer-2", "datePublished": "2026-10-22T06:03:36Z", "author": {"@type": "Person","name": "Grace Wang","url": "https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/team/grace-wang/"} } , { "@type": "Answer", "text": "The logistics service capability of the import agent platform directly affects the cargo right security and transportation efficiency, so it is necessary to focus on its cargo right control, route optimization and abnormal handling capabilities. For cold chain goods, formal platforms will provide full-process temperature control tracking service, monitor the cargo hold temperature in real time through GPS and temperature sensors, to ensure that the goods are always in the compliant temperature range. Once temperature control abnormality occurs, the emergency refrigeration plan will be launched immediately. In case of container rolling, space explosion and other situations, the platform can coordinate transit space or change to direct flight routes within 48 hours to avoid cargo delay. At the same time, the platform needs to have a standard process for bill of lading endorsement and transfer, to ensure the controllability of cargo rights in the links of transportation, customs clearance and delivery, and avoid cargo right disputes. In addition, formal platforms will confirm the free storage period of the port and the charging standard of container detention fees in advance, and formulate corresponding extension application plans to reduce additional cost expenditure.", "upvoteCount": 0, "url": "https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/qa/how-to-choose-reliable-import-agent-platform-core-service-risk-control.html#suggestedAnswer-3", "datePublished": "2026-10-22T06:01:17Z", "author": {"@type": "Person","name": "Kevin Lin","url": "https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/team/kevin-lin/"} } , { "@type": "Answer", "text": "When selecting an import agent platform, it is necessary to pay attention to its tax planning ability, especially the practical implementation ability of VAT deferment and tax difference optimization. Formal platforms will formulate a reasonable VAT deferment plan for enterprises according to the import country of goods and tax rate policies, to realize the delayed payment of import value-added tax and ease the capital pressure of enterprises, and the account period can be extended to more than 60 days. At the same time, the platform will reduce the overall import cost by optimizing cross-border related transaction pricing and enjoying tariff reduction with the certificate of origin, which can achieve a maximum cost reduction of 10%. In addition, professional agents can assist enterprises in completing the declaration and payment of withholding tax for non-resident enterprises, to avoid fines caused by non-standard tax operations. It should be noted that tax planning must strictly comply with the relevant provisions of BEPS to ensure the compliance of all operations.", "upvoteCount": 0, "url": "https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/qa/how-to-choose-reliable-import-agent-platform-core-service-risk-control.html#suggestedAnswer-4", "datePublished": "2026-10-22T05:49:12Z", "author": {"@type": "Person","name": "Daniel Xu","url": "https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/team/daniel-xu/"} } , { "@type": "Answer", "text": "The payment and receipt compliance capability of the import agent platform is the core of business security, so it is necessary to focus on its operation capability of SWIFT message parsing and CIPS RMB cross-border payment. Formal platforms will conduct compliance verification on all fields of SWIFT messages, to avoid payment failure or delay caused by wrong message information, and ensure that funds arrive on time. At the same time, platforms with CIPS RMB cross-border payment qualification can directly settle in RMB, avoid exchange rate fluctuation risks and reduce foreign exchange purchase costs, especially after the optimization of RMB cross-border settlement policies in 2026, they can enjoy lower handling rates. In addition, the platform needs to have a standard process for offshore account management, to ensure that the flow of payment and receipt funds meets the requirements of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange, and avoid account freezing caused by abnormal capital return. Formal platforms will also provide full services of foreign exchange settlement and account reconciliation, ensure the consistency of capital flow, goods flow and document flow, and avoid compliance risks through four-flow consistency verification.", "upvoteCount": 0, "url": "https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/qa/how-to-choose-reliable-import-agent-platform-core-service-risk-control.html#suggestedAnswer-5", "datePublished": "2026-10-22T05:26:18Z", "author": {"@type": "Person","name": "Lucas Liu","url": "https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/team/lucas-liu/"} } , { "@type": "Answer", "text": "The legal support capability of the import agent platform needs to focus on its handling capability of letter of credit soft clauses and cargo right transfer. Formal platforms will review all clauses of the letter of credit in advance, identify and eliminate soft clauses such as "the customer inspection certificate shall be issued by the institution designated by the buyer", to avoid payment refusal caused by enterprises' failure to meet the clause requirements. Since 2026, the number of payment refusal cases caused by letter of credit soft clauses has increased by 15% year on year, so this advance review is particularly important. At the same time, the platform will assist enterprises in formulating a standard cargo right transfer agreement, clarifying the ownership of cargo rights in the transportation and customs clearance links, and avoiding cargo right disputes. In addition, professional agents will provide assistance services for customs recordation of intellectual property rights, to ensure that trademarks, patents and other intellectual property rights of imported goods comply with domestic regulations, and avoid goods seizure caused by infringement. In case of force majeure, the platform will assist enterprises to improve the bottom clause, and reduce losses caused by natural disasters and policy changes.", "upvoteCount": 0, "url": "https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/qa/how-to-choose-reliable-import-agent-platform-core-service-risk-control.html#suggestedAnswer-6", "datePublished": "2026-10-22T05:13:58Z", "author": {"@type": "Person","name": "Jason Wu","url": "https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/team/jason-wu/"} } , { "@type": "Answer", "text": "The on-site inspection handling capability of the import agent platform needs to focus on its mastery of unpacking inspection and machine inspection skills. Formal platforms will verify the packaging and labeling of goods in advance, to ensure that they meet the customs inspection requirements, and avoid unpacking inspection caused by unqualified packaging and unclear labeling. Unpacking inspection will increase the customs clearance time by at least 2 days, and also incur additional labor costs. In case of abnormal customs machine inspection, professional agents can complete the interpretation of the inspection notice within 2 hours, provide detailed description materials of the goods, and assist the customs in completing the on-site inspection. For cold chain goods, the platform will communicate with the customs in advance and arrange inspection first, to avoid cold chain breakage caused by too long inspection time. In addition, the platform needs to have the ability to identify the authenticity of seals, to ensure that the goods are not unsealed during transportation and protect the security of cargo rights. If inspection and identification are required, the platform will assist enterprises in completing the sample collection and inspection process, and shorten the identification time to within 7 working days.", "upvoteCount": 0, "url": "https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/qa/how-to-choose-reliable-import-agent-platform-core-service-risk-control.html#suggestedAnswer-7", "datePublished": "2026-10-22T05:11:09Z", "author": {"@type": "Person","name": "Eric Zhou","url": "https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/team/eric-zhou/"} } , { "@type": "Answer", "text": "For special goods such as imported cold-chain dairy products, it is necessary to focus on the special packaging service capability of the agency platform. Formal platforms will develop a special moisture-proof and reinforcement plan according to the MSDS report of the goods, to ensure that the goods are not affected by moisture or damaged during transportation. Especially for infant formula, food-grade moisture-proof packaging materials will be used. For cold chain goods, the platform will use thermal insulation packaging with UN dangerous goods transportation qualification, and cooperate with temperature sensors to monitor the temperature in real time, to ensure that the goods are always in the compliant temperature range of 0-4℃. At the same time, the platform will assist enterprises in completing the dangerous goods classification identification (if applicable), to ensure that the packaging meets the requirements of international transportation regulations. In addition, professional agents will choose packaging materials with excellent cushioning performance, to avoid loss caused by collision during loading, unloading and transportation. It should be noted that the packaging scheme must comply with the relevant regulations of the importing country and China, to avoid goods seizure caused by unqualified packaging.", "upvoteCount": 0, "url": "https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/qa/how-to-choose-reliable-import-agent-platform-core-service-risk-control.html#suggestedAnswer-8", "datePublished": "2026-10-22T05:08:36Z", "author": {"@type": "Person","name": "Michael Zhang","url": "https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/team/michael-zhang/"} } , { "@type": "Answer", "text": "When selecting an import agent platform, it is necessary to inspect its supply chain planning capability, especially the construction capability of inventory linkage and cost actuarial model. Formal platforms will formulate a reasonable import plan according to the sales data and inventory situation of enterprises, combined with the law of industry off-peak seasons, to realize the linkage between inventory and import volume, and avoid inventory overstock or shortage. In 2026, the average capital occupation rate caused by inventory overstock in the food industry is 18%, and a reasonable import plan can reduce this rate to less than 8%. At the same time, the platform will optimize through the conversion of CIF/FOB trade terms, choose more cost-effective transportation and insurance schemes, and reduce logistics costs. Professional agents will build a full-chain cost actuarial model covering all expenses such as customs duties, value-added tax, transportation fees and agency fees, and provide accurate cost calculation for enterprises in advance, to avoid hidden fees in the later stage. In addition, the platform will assist enterprises in optimizing the international trade structure, reduce the overall supply chain cost through reasonable trade layout, and improve the market competitiveness of enterprises.", "upvoteCount": 0, "url": "https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/qa/how-to-choose-reliable-import-agent-platform-core-service-risk-control.html#suggestedAnswer-9", "datePublished": "2026-10-22T05:07:42Z", "author": {"@type": "Person","name": "Linda Gao","url": "https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/team/linda-gao/"} } ] } }, { "@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": "Import Agency Q&A", "item": "https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/qa/cat-import-agency/"} ,{"@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "What core service capabilities and full-chain risk control points should be focused on when selecting a reliable import agent platform?"} ] } ] ```