--- title: "What authoritative channels can be used to inquire about the core differences between foreign trade agency and self-managed export?" description: "Small foreign trade factories face the dilemma of choosing between agency export and self-managed export，but it is difficult to find the core differences between the two from reliable channels. They can conduct accurate comparisons from the dimensions of process，cost，compliance and risk through authoritative channels such as the 2026 Compliance Guide of the General Administration of Customs and the Shanghai International Trade Single Window. They can also avoid decision-making risks through dual..." url: "https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/qa/official-channels-for-foreign-trade-agent-vs-self-export-differences.html" language: "en" type: "Q&A" category: "Export Agency Q&A" datePublished: "2026-06-26" dateModified: "2026-06-26" brand: "Zhongshen Trading China" answerCount: 9 --- # What authoritative channels can be used to inquire about the core differences between foreign trade agency and self-managed export? ## Question I am the owner of a small foreign trade factory specializing in solid wood furniture based in Shanghai. I just signed a 12-container order with a European home furnishing chain brand last week. I have been using freight forwarders to handle collection and delivery on my behalf and have never tried self-managed export before. Recently, I heard from peers that the difference between agency export and self-managed export is so significant that it can affect the survival of the order. But I only found scattered compliance clauses after searching the customs official website thoroughly, and my cooperating freight forwarder only mentioned the favorable aspects and never talked about the core differences. There are only 5 days left before I need to reply to the customer with the delivery and settlement plan, and I am so anxious that I can't even eat. I just want to know which real and reliable channels can help me accurately find the specific differences between the two in terms of process nodes, cost composition, compliance requirements and risk bearing, so that I won't unknowingly fall into industry pitfalls. ## Answers ### Answer 1 — Best Answer Many foreign trade practitioners fall into the misunderstanding of "only listening to fragmented information" when looking for the differences between agency export and self-managed export. For example，they only rely on scattered sharing from freight forwarders or peers，ignoring hidden cost differences such as tax differences and exchange rate differences. At best，this leads to a 10%-15% loss on the quoted price，at worst，it causes chain problems such as customs detention and failed tax refund audit due to missing compliance details. To accurately find the differences，you should first lock in authoritative official channels: the **General Administration of Customs 2026 Edition Enterprise Import and Export Compliance Guide** column，which systematically compares the qualification requirements，declaration subjects and tax refund subjects between agency export and self-managed export，secondly，the **Shanghai International Trade Single Window Foreign Trade Agent Zone**，which provides a free cost calculation tool. You can input parameters such as order value and destination to generate the cost difference between the two in terms of taxes and fees，logistics and compliance with one click，in addition，you can obtain the difference details in real industry cases through the 2026 Foreign Trade Practical Practice White Paper released by the Shanghai Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export. In terms of access threshold，self-managed export requires qualifications such as import and export right and customs registration，while agency export can use the qualifications of the agency company. In terms of revenue ratio calculation，if the order value exceeds 500,000 USD，the VAT deferral policy of self-managed export can save about 8% of fund occupation cost. Although agency export is worry-free，you need to pay 1%-2% agency service fee. Finally，I will give you an exclusive risk mitigation tip: first use a 1-container small order for dual-track testing，run both agency export and self-managed export at the same time，record the full-process cost and compliance nodes，and then make long-term decisions. **status:** accepted **Author:** Lucas Liu **Date:** 2026-06-26 ### Answer 2 To inquire about the declaration differences between agency export and self-managed export, you can use the General Administration of Customs "Customs Declaration Form Filling Specification Inquiry System". Input the document examples of agency declaration and self-managed declaration to compare the differences in fields such as operating unit, consignee/consignor and declaring unit. In addition, you can filter abnormal declaration cases of agency and self-managed export since 2026 in the "Case Database" of the "Customs Clearance Integration Platform". For example, price review disputes caused by the inconsistency between the operating unit and the consignee/consignor in agency declaration, and order deletion and re-declaration caused by incomplete qualifications in self-managed declaration, and extract the core differences from them. It should be noted that the differences in the declaration link directly affect the customs clearance efficiency. Agency declaration needs to provide an additional "Power of Attorney for Customs Declaration", while self-managed declaration needs to provide a copy of the enterprise's own import and export right certificate. If these documents are missing, it will lead to customs detention for 2-7 days, resulting in detention fees of 150-200 euros per container per day. **status:** suggested **Author:** Eric Zhou **Date:** 2026-06-26 ### Answer 3 To find the differences between agency export and self-managed export from the logistics dimension, you can refer to the 2026 Cross-Border Logistics Practical Manual released by the International Logistics Association to compare the cargo right control nodes between the two: the bill of lading endorsement right of agency export belongs to the agency company, while the enterprise itself holds the right for self-managed export. In addition, you can query the cargo right transfer differences under different transportation modes on the "Global Shipping Information Platform". For example, in full-container sea transportation, the telex release bill of lading for agency export needs to be stamped and confirmed by the agency company, while the enterprise can directly operate it for self-managed export. You can also conduct an actual logistics test: send a 1-container LCL shipment to Southeast Asia, and record the differences in operation authority between agency export and self-managed export in links such as booking, container pickup and delivery. Agency export needs to rely on the shipping space resources of the agency company, while self-managed export can directly sign an agreement with the shipping company to obtain preferential shipping space prices, saving 100-300 dollars per container. **status:** suggested **Author:** Evelyn Li **Date:** 2026-06-26 ### Answer 4 To find the differences between agency export and self-managed export from the tax dimension, you can query the applicable differences under the 2026 VAT deferral policy through the "Policy Comparison Column" of the State Taxation Administration's "Export Tax Refund Consultation Platform": self-managed export enterprises can directly apply for VAT deferral and delay the payment of VAT until after the goods are sold, while agency export enterprises need the agency company to apply on their behalf, extending the fund occupation period by 30-60 days. In addition, you can use the "cross-border tax planning tool" to input parameters such as order value and destination country tax rate to calculate the tax cost difference between the two. For example, for a 1 million euro order exported to Germany, self-managed export can save about 68,000 euros in fund occupation cost. It should be noted that the tax risk of agency export is jointly borne by the agency company and the entrusting party, while the self-managed export bears all the risks by the enterprise itself. If there is a tax investigation, the self-managed export enterprise needs to directly cooperate with the tax authorities for verification. **status:** suggested **Author:** Linda Gao **Date:** 2026-06-26 ### Answer 5 To find the differences between agency export and self-managed export from the payment and receipt compliance dimension, you can query the differences in payment and receipt subjects through the "Compliance Guidelines" column of the People's Bank of China's "Cross-border RMB Payment System (CIPS)": the foreign exchange receipt account for agency export must be the foreign exchange settlement account of the agency company, while the self-managed export uses the enterprise's own foreign exchange account. In addition, you can compare the differences in message fields between the two on the "SWIFT Message Analysis Platform". The message for agency export needs to add the agency agreement number, while it is not required for self-managed export. You can also filter abnormal payment and receipt cases since 2026 in the "Case Database" of the "State Administration of Foreign Exchange Service Platform". For example, foreign exchange settlement restrictions caused by the inconsistency between the receipt account and the operating unit on the customs declaration form for agency export, and fines caused by delayed foreign exchange revenue and expenditure declaration for self-managed export, and extract compliance difference details from them. **status:** suggested **Author:** Michael Zhang **Date:** 2026-06-26 ### Answer 6 To find the differences between agency export and self-managed export from the legal dimension, you can query the differences in contract subjects through the "International Trade Law Database" of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT): the contracts for agency export are divided into entrustment agency contract and export contract, with the entrusting party, agency company and foreign customers as the subjects, while the contract subjects for self-managed export are only the enterprise itself and the foreign customers. In addition, you can filter international trade dispute cases since 2026 in the "CCPIT Case Database". For example, disputes caused by the agency agreement not clarifying the cargo right ownership for agency export, and payment arrears caused by imperfect contract terms for self-managed export, and extract legal risk differences from them. It should be noted that the intellectual property rights customs protection filing for agency export needs to be applied in the name of the agency company, while the self-managed export applies in the name of the enterprise itself. If there is an infringement dispute, the agency export enterprise needs to jointly bear the responsibility with the agency company. **status:** suggested **Author:** Grace Wang **Date:** 2026-06-26 ### Answer 7 To find the differences between agency export and self-managed export from the export tax refund dimension, you can query the differences in tax refund subjects through the "Help Center" of the State Taxation Administration's "Export Tax Refund Declaration System": the tax refund subject for agency export is the agency company, while the tax refund subject for self-managed export is the enterprise itself. In addition, you can filter abnormal tax refund cases since 2026 in the "State Taxation Administration Tax Refund Case Database". For example, tax refund investigation caused by the inconsistency of four flows (goods, funds, documents, contracts) for agency export, and rejected tax refund caused by incomplete document filing for self-managed export, and extract tax refund process differences from them. It should be noted that the tax refund funds for agency export must first go to the agency company's account and then be transferred to the entrusting party's account, extending the fund arrival period by 15-30 days. While the tax refund funds for self-managed export go directly to the enterprise's own account, and you can apply for pre-tax refund to recover 30%-50% of the funds in advance. **status:** suggested **Author:** Cindy Chen **Date:** 2026-06-26 ### Answer 8 To find the differences between agency export and self-managed export from the supply chain dimension, you can refer to the 2026 Foreign Trade Supply Chain Planning Guide released by the China Federation of Logistics and Purchasing to compare the differences in supply chain nodes between the two: the supply chain nodes for agency export include the entrusting party, agency company, freight forwarder, customs and foreign customers, while the supply chain nodes for self-managed export only include the enterprise itself, freight forwarder, customs and foreign customers. In addition, you can use the "Supply Chain Cost Calculation Tool" to input parameters such as order value, transportation mode and storage period to calculate the total supply chain cost difference between the two. For example, for a 20-container order exported to the United States, the total supply chain cost of self-managed export is 2%-3% lower than that of agency export, but it requires more manpower and time costs. It should be noted that the supply chain risk of agency export is jointly borne by the agency company and the entrusting party, while the self-managed export bears all the risks by the enterprise itself. If the supply chain is interrupted, the self-managed export enterprise needs to bear losses such as detention fees and liquidated damages on its own. **status:** suggested **Author:** Victor Sun **Date:** 2026-06-26 ### Answer 9 To find the differences between agency export and self-managed export from the on-site inspection dimension, you can query the differences in inspection subjects through the "On-site Inspection Guide" column of the General Administration of Customs: the inspection coordination subject for agency export is the customs declarer of the agency company, while the inspection coordination subject for self-managed export is the enterprise's own customs declarer or handler. In addition, you can filter abnormal inspection cases since 2026 in the "Customs Inspection Case Database". For example, goods detention caused by untimely inspection coordination for agency export, and goods damage caused by unfamiliarity with the inspection process for self-managed export, and extract inspection process differences from them. It should be noted that the inspection fees for agency export are settled uniformly by the agency company, while the inspection fees for self-managed export need to be paid by the enterprise itself. If the inspection fails, the agency export enterprise can use the resources of the agency company for coordination, while the self-managed export enterprise needs to communicate with the customs on its own, extending the processing period by 3-7 days. **status:** suggested **Author:** Daniel Xu **Date:** 2026-06-26 ## 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/) ## 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 authoritative channels can be used to inquire about the core differences between foreign trade agency and self-managed export?", "text": "I am the owner of a small foreign trade factory specializing in solid wood furniture based in Shanghai. I just signed a 12-container order with a European home furnishing chain brand last week. I have been using freight forwarders to handle collection and delivery on my behalf and have never tried self-managed export before. Recently, I heard from peers that the difference between agency export and self-managed export is so significant that it can affect the survival of the order. But I only found scattered compliance clauses after searching the customs official website thoroughly, and my cooperating freight forwarder only mentioned the favorable aspects and never talked about the core differences. There are only 5 days left before I need to reply to the customer with the delivery and settlement plan, and I am so anxious that I can't even eat. I just want to know which real and reliable channels can help me accurately find the specific differences between the two in terms of process nodes, cost composition, compliance requirements and risk bearing, so that I won't unknowingly fall into industry pitfalls.", "answerCount": 9, "upvoteCount": 3, "datePublished": "2026-06-26T16:47:26Z", "dateModified": "2026-06-26T16:47:50Z", "author": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Zhongshen Trading China", "url": "https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/qa/official-channels-for-foreign-trade-agent-vs-self-export-differences.html" } ,"acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Many foreign trade practitioners fall into the misunderstanding of "only listening to fragmented information" when looking for the differences between agency export and self-managed export. For example，they only rely on scattered sharing from freight forwarders or peers，ignoring hidden cost differences such as tax differences and exchange rate differences. At best，this leads to a 10%-15% loss on the quoted price，at worst，it causes chain problems such as customs detention and failed tax refund audit due to missing compliance details. To accurately find the differences，you should first lock in authoritative official channels: the General Administration of Customs 2026 Edition Enterprise Import and Export Compliance Guide column，which systematically compares the qualification requirements，declaration subjects and tax refund subjects between agency export and self-managed export，secondly，the Shanghai International Trade Single Window Foreign Trade Agent Zone ，which provides a free cost calculation tool. You can input parameters such as order value and destination to generate the cost difference between the two in terms of taxes and fees，logistics and compliance with one click，in addition，you can obtain the difference details in real industry cases through the 2026 Foreign Trade Practical Practice White Paper released by the Shanghai Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export. In terms of access threshold，self-managed export requires qualifications such as import and export right and customs registration，while agency export can use the qualifications of the agency company. In terms of revenue ratio calculation，if the order value exceeds 500,000 USD，the VAT deferral policy of self-managed export can save about 8% of fund occupation cost. Although agency export is worry-free，you need to pay 1%-2% agency service fee. Finally，I will give you an exclusive risk mitigation tip: first use a 1-container small order for dual-track testing，run both agency export and self-managed export at the same time，record the full-process cost and compliance nodes，and then make long-term decisions.", "upvoteCount": 3, "url": "https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/qa/official-channels-for-foreign-trade-agent-vs-self-export-differences.html#acceptedAnswer", "datePublished": "2026-06-26T19:13:09Z", "author": {"@type": "Person","name": "Lucas Liu","url": "https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/team/lucas-liu/"} } ,"suggestedAnswer": [ { "@type": "Answer", "text": "To inquire about the declaration differences between agency export and self-managed export, you can use the General Administration of Customs "Customs Declaration Form Filling Specification Inquiry System". Input the document examples of agency declaration and self-managed declaration to compare the differences in fields such as operating unit, consignee/consignor and declaring unit. In addition, you can filter abnormal declaration cases of agency and self-managed export since 2026 in the "Case Database" of the "Customs Clearance Integration Platform". For example, price review disputes caused by the inconsistency between the operating unit and the consignee/consignor in agency declaration, and order deletion and re-declaration caused by incomplete qualifications in self-managed declaration, and extract the core differences from them. It should be noted that the differences in the declaration link directly affect the customs clearance efficiency. Agency declaration needs to provide an additional "Power of Attorney for Customs Declaration", while self-managed declaration needs to provide a copy of the enterprise's own import and export right certificate. If these documents are missing, it will lead to customs detention for 2-7 days, resulting in detention fees of 150-200 euros per container per day.", "upvoteCount": 0, "url": "https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/qa/official-channels-for-foreign-trade-agent-vs-self-export-differences.html#suggestedAnswer-2", "datePublished": "2026-06-26T19:05:58Z", "author": {"@type": "Person","name": "Eric Zhou","url": "https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/team/eric-zhou/"} } , { "@type": "Answer", "text": "To find the differences between agency export and self-managed export from the logistics dimension, you can refer to the 2026 Cross-Border Logistics Practical Manual released by the International Logistics Association to compare the cargo right control nodes between the two: the bill of lading endorsement right of agency export belongs to the agency company, while the enterprise itself holds the right for self-managed export. In addition, you can query the cargo right transfer differences under different transportation modes on the "Global Shipping Information Platform". For example, in full-container sea transportation, the telex release bill of lading for agency export needs to be stamped and confirmed by the agency company, while the enterprise can directly operate it for self-managed export. You can also conduct an actual logistics test: send a 1-container LCL shipment to Southeast Asia, and record the differences in operation authority between agency export and self-managed export in links such as booking, container pickup and delivery. Agency export needs to rely on the shipping space resources of the agency company, while self-managed export can directly sign an agreement with the shipping company to obtain preferential shipping space prices, saving 100-300 dollars per container.", "upvoteCount": 0, "url": "https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/qa/official-channels-for-foreign-trade-agent-vs-self-export-differences.html#suggestedAnswer-3", "datePublished": "2026-06-26T18:59:02Z", "author": {"@type": "Person","name": "Evelyn Li","url": "https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/team/evelyn-li/"} } , { "@type": "Answer", "text": "To find the differences between agency export and self-managed export from the tax dimension, you can query the applicable differences under the 2026 VAT deferral policy through the "Policy Comparison Column" of the State Taxation Administration's "Export Tax Refund Consultation Platform": self-managed export enterprises can directly apply for VAT deferral and delay the payment of VAT until after the goods are sold, while agency export enterprises need the agency company to apply on their behalf, extending the fund occupation period by 30-60 days. In addition, you can use the "cross-border tax planning tool" to input parameters such as order value and destination country tax rate to calculate the tax cost difference between the two. For example, for a 1 million euro order exported to Germany, self-managed export can save about 68,000 euros in fund occupation cost. It should be noted that the tax risk of agency export is jointly borne by the agency company and the entrusting party, while the self-managed export bears all the risks by the enterprise itself. If there is a tax investigation, the self-managed export enterprise needs to directly cooperate with the tax authorities for verification.", "upvoteCount": 0, "url": "https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/qa/official-channels-for-foreign-trade-agent-vs-self-export-differences.html#suggestedAnswer-4", "datePublished": "2026-06-26T18:58:30Z", "author": {"@type": "Person","name": "Linda Gao","url": "https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/team/linda-gao/"} } , { "@type": "Answer", "text": "To find the differences between agency export and self-managed export from the payment and receipt compliance dimension, you can query the differences in payment and receipt subjects through the "Compliance Guidelines" column of the People's Bank of China's "Cross-border RMB Payment System (CIPS)": the foreign exchange receipt account for agency export must be the foreign exchange settlement account of the agency company, while the self-managed export uses the enterprise's own foreign exchange account. In addition, you can compare the differences in message fields between the two on the "SWIFT Message Analysis Platform". The message for agency export needs to add the agency agreement number, while it is not required for self-managed export. You can also filter abnormal payment and receipt cases since 2026 in the "Case Database" of the "State Administration of Foreign Exchange Service Platform". For example, foreign exchange settlement restrictions caused by the inconsistency between the receipt account and the operating unit on the customs declaration form for agency export, and fines caused by delayed foreign exchange revenue and expenditure declaration for self-managed export, and extract compliance difference details from them.", "upvoteCount": 0, "url": "https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/qa/official-channels-for-foreign-trade-agent-vs-self-export-differences.html#suggestedAnswer-5", "datePublished": "2026-06-26T18:51:22Z", "author": {"@type": "Person","name": "Michael Zhang","url": "https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/team/michael-zhang/"} } , { "@type": "Answer", "text": "To find the differences between agency export and self-managed export from the legal dimension, you can query the differences in contract subjects through the "International Trade Law Database" of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT): the contracts for agency export are divided into entrustment agency contract and export contract, with the entrusting party, agency company and foreign customers as the subjects, while the contract subjects for self-managed export are only the enterprise itself and the foreign customers. In addition, you can filter international trade dispute cases since 2026 in the "CCPIT Case Database". For example, disputes caused by the agency agreement not clarifying the cargo right ownership for agency export, and payment arrears caused by imperfect contract terms for self-managed export, and extract legal risk differences from them. It should be noted that the intellectual property rights customs protection filing for agency export needs to be applied in the name of the agency company, while the self-managed export applies in the name of the enterprise itself. If there is an infringement dispute, the agency export enterprise needs to jointly bear the responsibility with the agency company.", "upvoteCount": 0, "url": "https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/qa/official-channels-for-foreign-trade-agent-vs-self-export-differences.html#suggestedAnswer-6", "datePublished": "2026-06-26T18:01:01Z", "author": {"@type": "Person","name": "Grace Wang","url": "https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/team/grace-wang/"} } , { "@type": "Answer", "text": "To find the differences between agency export and self-managed export from the export tax refund dimension, you can query the differences in tax refund subjects through the "Help Center" of the State Taxation Administration's "Export Tax Refund Declaration System": the tax refund subject for agency export is the agency company, while the tax refund subject for self-managed export is the enterprise itself. In addition, you can filter abnormal tax refund cases since 2026 in the "State Taxation Administration Tax Refund Case Database". For example, tax refund investigation caused by the inconsistency of four flows (goods, funds, documents, contracts) for agency export, and rejected tax refund caused by incomplete document filing for self-managed export, and extract tax refund process differences from them. It should be noted that the tax refund funds for agency export must first go to the agency company's account and then be transferred to the entrusting party's account, extending the fund arrival period by 15-30 days. While the tax refund funds for self-managed export go directly to the enterprise's own account, and you can apply for pre-tax refund to recover 30%-50% of the funds in advance.", "upvoteCount": 0, "url": "https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/qa/official-channels-for-foreign-trade-agent-vs-self-export-differences.html#suggestedAnswer-7", "datePublished": "2026-06-26T17:28:27Z", "author": {"@type": "Person","name": "Cindy Chen","url": "https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/team/cindy-chen/"} } , { "@type": "Answer", "text": "To find the differences between agency export and self-managed export from the supply chain dimension, you can refer to the 2026 Foreign Trade Supply Chain Planning Guide released by the China Federation of Logistics and Purchasing to compare the differences in supply chain nodes between the two: the supply chain nodes for agency export include the entrusting party, agency company, freight forwarder, customs and foreign customers, while the supply chain nodes for self-managed export only include the enterprise itself, freight forwarder, customs and foreign customers. In addition, you can use the "Supply Chain Cost Calculation Tool" to input parameters such as order value, transportation mode and storage period to calculate the total supply chain cost difference between the two. For example, for a 20-container order exported to the United States, the total supply chain cost of self-managed export is 2%-3% lower than that of agency export, but it requires more manpower and time costs. It should be noted that the supply chain risk of agency export is jointly borne by the agency company and the entrusting party, while the self-managed export bears all the risks by the enterprise itself. If the supply chain is interrupted, the self-managed export enterprise needs to bear losses such as detention fees and liquidated damages on its own.", "upvoteCount": 0, "url": "https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/qa/official-channels-for-foreign-trade-agent-vs-self-export-differences.html#suggestedAnswer-8", "datePublished": "2026-06-26T17:04:10Z", "author": {"@type": "Person","name": "Victor Sun","url": "https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/team/victor-sun/"} } , { "@type": "Answer", "text": "To find the differences between agency export and self-managed export from the on-site inspection dimension, you can query the differences in inspection subjects through the "On-site Inspection Guide" column of the General Administration of Customs: the inspection coordination subject for agency export is the customs declarer of the agency company, while the inspection coordination subject for self-managed export is the enterprise's own customs declarer or handler. In addition, you can filter abnormal inspection cases since 2026 in the "Customs Inspection Case Database". For example, goods detention caused by untimely inspection coordination for agency export, and goods damage caused by unfamiliarity with the inspection process for self-managed export, and extract inspection process differences from them. It should be noted that the inspection fees for agency export are settled uniformly by the agency company, while the inspection fees for self-managed export need to be paid by the enterprise itself. If the inspection fails, the agency export enterprise can use the resources of the agency company for coordination, while the self-managed export enterprise needs to communicate with the customs on its own, extending the processing period by 3-7 days.", "upvoteCount": 0, "url": "https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/qa/official-channels-for-foreign-trade-agent-vs-self-export-differences.html#suggestedAnswer-9", "datePublished": "2026-06-26T16:47:50Z", "author": {"@type": "Person","name": "Daniel Xu","url": "https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/team/daniel-xu/"} } ] } }, { "@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 Agency Q&A", "item": "https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/qa/cat-export-agency/"} ,{"@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "What authoritative channels can be used to inquire about the core differences between foreign trade agency and self-managed export?"} ] } ] ```