What is an agency export certificate? What is its legal effect?

The Agency Export Certificate isa legal document proving the rights and responsibilities between the actual exporter and the agent.According to Article 38 of the Customs Law of the Peoples Republic of China, this document has the following legal effects:

• Clarifying the true ownership of exported goods
• Serving as theExport Drawbackcore document for declaration
• Basis for dividing trade risk responsibilities

How many steps are there in the application process for an agency export certificate?

The latest 2025 declaration system has fully digitized the process. The specific steps are:

• Step 1: Qualification Filing
  • The agent must haveimport and exportEnterprises need to have legal import and export qualifications, including:
  • completed enterprise filing in the Customs Single Window.
• 第二步：文件準(zhǔn)備
  • 代理協(xié)議（需雙方蓋章）
  • Power of Attorney for Application of (CO)
  • Packing List Details
• Step 3: System Declaration
  • Log in to the International Trade Single Window Platform
  • Fill out the Application Form for Agency Export Goods Certificate

Under what circumstances must an agency export certificate be used?

According to Announcement No. 12 of the General Administration of Customs in 2025, the following three situations require submission:

• The entrusting party lacks import-export operation rights
• Agency business involving export tax rebates
• Goods HS codes involving regulatory conditions

What are the common risks of using agency export certificates?

Dispute data from the past three yearsforeign tradeDispute cases show the main risk points include:

• Information inconsistency risks
  • The amount difference between customs declaration and agency certificate exceeds 5%
  • Inconsistent descriptions in Chinese and English versions of goods
• Risk of timeliness
  • Failure to apply within 60 days after export will affect tax rebates
  • Customs audit traceability period lasts up to 3 years

What is the validity period of an agency export certificate?

According to the Export Tax Rebate (Exemption) Management Measures issued by the State Taxation Administration in 2024:

• From the date of issuance180 daysValid within
• Special circumstances may apply for extension (requires legitimate reasons)
• If unused after expiration, re-declaration is required

How to avoid agency export certificates being questioned by customs?

It is recommended to take the following preventive measures:

• EnsureThree-document consistency(Contract, Invoice, Packing List)
• Maintain complete logistics tracking proof
• Conduct regular compliance reviews of trade documents

What is the relationship between agency export certificates and customs declarations?

The key correlation points include:

• The domestic consignor on the customs declaration must match the agency certificate
• The HS code of the goods must be completely matched
• A reasonable floating range of ±3% is allowed for the total amount

How to use the electronic version of the export agency certificate?

The electronic process will be fully implemented from January 2025:

• Download the PDF encrypted version through the Single Window
• Must be used with digital certificate verification
• Has the same legal effect as the paper certificate

What to do if the export agency certificate is lost?

Emergency handling process suggestions:

• Apply immediately in the customs systemCancel and reissue
• Provide a statement of circumstances and supporting materials
• The reissue cycle is usually 5 working days

What should be paid attention to when choosing export agency services?

Based on 20 years of industry experience, the suggestions are:

• Verify the agency partyCustoms credit rating
• Confirm the compliance of foreign exchange payment path
• Require a complete document management solution