---
title: "What are the export customs clearance agencies?"
description: "Our company is just starting to engage in foreign trade and is looking for a reliable export customs clearance agency. There's too much information online, with prices ranging from hundreds to thousands of yuan, which is quite a big difference. How can we determine whether a company is legitimate? What pitfalls should we watch out for during the cooperation? Are there any specific screening criteria?"
url: "https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/qa/judge-regular-export-clearance-agency-selection-criteria.html"
language: "en"
type: "Q&A"
category: "报关报检"
datePublished: "2026-01-17"
dateModified: "2026-01-17"
brand: "Zhongshen Trading China"
answerCount: 3
---

# What are the export customs clearance agencies?

## Question

 Our company just started doingI'm looking for a reliable export and customs clearance agency. There's too much information online, with prices ranging from hundreds to thousands of yuan, which is quite a big difference. How can I determine whether a company is legitimate? What pitfalls should I watch out for during the cooperation? Are there any specific screening criteria? 

## Answers
                            
### Answer 1 — Best Answer

You must first verify the company's customs declaration unit registration information. Log in to the General Administration of Customs official website，enter the company name or unified social credit code through the "Enterprise Information Inquiry" function，and confirm that it has valid declaration qualifications. This is an uncompromising bottom line. Secondly，prioritize choosing enterprises that have obtained AEO Advanced Certification，which indicates that their compliance level and credit rating have passed the substantive review of the customs. Be wary of agents who quote prices far below the market rate，as this often involves the risk of under-declaration or false declaration. Ultimately，the customs administrative penalties will be traced back to you as the export consignor. It is essential to clearly stipulate in the contract that the agent shall be responsible for the authenticity of the declaration elements and bear the associated liabilities such as detention in port and fines caused by violations of regulations.

**status:** accepted
**Author:** Daniel Xu
**Date:** 2026-01-17

### Answer 2

Don’t compare prices first—just ask them if they’ve handled products like yours before. Chemicals, machinery, and food each have vastly different regulatory requirements. Ask them to provide recent customs declaration copies for similar products (with sensitive information redacted)—this is the most direct proof of their competence. For service scope, confirm whether the quote includes trailer handling, warehousing, or tax prepayment. Many low-cost agents only handle document submission, leaving clients with a slew of hidden fees. For process oversight, require them to assign dedicated customer service representatives and establish WeChat groups to proactively update on every step from booking to customs clearance. For payment, prioritize using the company’s official account to avoid private transfers, ensuring compliance with tax refund and financial auditing procedures.

**status:** suggested
**Author:** Eric Zhou
**Date:** 2026-01-17

### Answer 3

For your first collaboration, never sign a long-term agreement. Start with one or two small container trial orders to observe their response speed and professionalism. During negotiations, insist on a payment method of "50% upon receipt of the customs declaration and pre-booking documents, and the remaining balance after clearance" to avoid losing control by paying in full upfront. The contract must include provisions that the agent shall bear all additional costs arising from delays or inspections caused by their errors, along with clear compensation clauses. It's advisable to visit their office in person to assess the team's scale and request contact information for at least three clients in the same region for background checks. A reliable agent won't mind your verification and will proactively provide supporting materials to build trust.

**status:** suggested
**Author:** Michael Zhang
**Date:** 2026-01-17

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