Dont Rush to Sign! First Understand These Three Agency Traps

Last year, a Zhejiang client urgently consulted me after signing a German Beer General Agency agreement, only to discover during customs clearance that the supplier hadnt even obtained theImported Food Filing Certificate. When seeking agents, please remember these three core principles:

• Check qualifications for Three Certificates and One Code (Food Business License/Import Filing Record/Customs Broker Qualification/Product Traceability Code)
• Clarify Two Rights Division in negotiations (Exclusive Regional Rights/Price Adjustment Rights)
• Include Three Insurance Clauses in contracts (Unsold Return Policy/Quality Bond/Breach of Contract Accountability Mechanism)

Practical Five-Step Agent Selection Method

Last week when helping a Shanghai craft beer bar select an agent, we followed this procedure:

Must-Know Points of 2025 Customs New Policies

• Beer import tariffs remain temporarily at 10%, but newIt is recommended to verify through the following methods:Document Verification System
• Alcohol concentration testing standard updated to GB 2758-2025 (2021 version invalidated)
• Cold chain transportation requires full-process temperature records (tolerance within ±2°C)

Profit comparison of three cooperation models

Last years Belgian Abbey Beer project showed significant actual profit differences among three cooperation models:

• Commission model: Low initial cost but frequent profit-sharing disputes later
• Buyout model: Requires upfront capital but offers up to 40% profit margin
• Hybrid model (guarantee + profit sharing): The optimal balance between risk and return

Senior buyers special reminder

Recent true case: An agent promised full handlingHalal Certificationbut used Indonesian standards instead of Malaysian standards. Recommendations:

• Require agents to provide certification body authorization letters
• Verify anti-counterfeiting marks on certification documents
• Specify compensation standards for certification discrepancies in contracts

Emergency response plan checklist

Recommended emergency clauses to specify in cooperation agreements:

• Responsible party for returns when customs sampling fails
• Remediation timeframe for Chinese label printing errors
• Response plan for sudden trade restriction policies