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How does an export agency company do its accounting? What are the key points to note?

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I have just joined an export agency company. I haven't been exposed to this kind of accounting treatment before. I'd like to ask how exactly an export agency company does its accounting? The involved business processes include export customs declaration, foreign exchange collection, foreign exchange settlement, and settlement with the consignor. I hope you can explain in detail the whole process from the occurrence of the business to the final financial treatment so that I can better get started with my work. Please give me some guidance, those who are knowledgeable in this area.

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Professional consultant answers

Sarah Zhang
Sarah ZhangYears of service:8Customer Rating:5.0

Document expertConsult

An export agency company should follow a certain process when doing its accounting. First, when receiving the goods sent by the consignor, debit "Goods on Consignment for Sale" and credit "Payment for Goods on Consignment for Sale". After the export customs declaration and sales, according to the receivable amount, debit "Accounts Receivable - Customer" and credit "Main Business Income - Export Agency Sales Income". At the same time, carry forward the cost, debit "Main Business Cost - Export Agency Sales Cost", credit "Goods on Consignment for Sale", and reverse "Payment for Goods on Consignment for Sale".

When collecting foreign exchange, debit "Bank Deposits - Foreign Currency Account" and credit "Accounts Receivable - Customer". When settling foreign exchange, debit "Bank Deposits - Renminbi Account" according to the actual amount of Renminbi received, debit or credit "Financial Expenses - Exchange Gain or Loss" according to the difference between the settlement exchange rate and the accounting exchange rate, and credit "Bank Deposits - Foreign Currency Account" according to the original accounting amount.

When settling with the consignor, after deducting the agency fee, pay the remaining amount to the consignor, debit "Payment for Goods on Consignment for Sale", and credit "Bank Deposits", "Other Business Income - Agency Fee Income", etc. Note the handling of exchange rate changes and related taxes.

Michelle Chen
Michelle ChenYears of service:3Customer Rating:5.0

Business coordination consultantConsult

In the export agency business, regarding export tax rebates, if the consignor is a manufacturing enterprise with the right to engage in import and export operations, generally the consignor will handle the tax rebates; if it is a foreign trade enterprise, the agency can handle the tax rebates. This should be clearly distinguished when doing accounting, and the calculation and handling of relevant tax rebate amounts should be accurately recorded.

Robert Chen
Robert ChenYears of service:6Customer Rating:5.0

Customer service consultantConsult

An export agency company should attach importance to the collection of original vouchers when doing its accounting. Such as customs declarations, export invoices, foreign exchange collection slips, etc. These are the bases for accounting treatment. And when confirming income, the agency fee income should be accurately calculated according to the agency agreement, and neither overcounted nor undercounted.

Emily Liu
Emily LiuYears of service:10Customer Rating:5.0

Settlement and payment expertConsult

When doing accounting in the foreign exchange collection link, attention should be paid to the regulations of foreign exchange management and the timely declaration of international balance of payments. For possible bad debts, bad debt provisions should be reasonably accrued according to the enterprise's policy to reflect the principle of prudence in the accounts.

Amanda Yang
Amanda YangYears of service:3Customer Rating:5.0

Cost control consultantConsult

The transportation fees, insurance premiums and other expenses involved in export agency, if prepaid by the agency, should be recorded separately. Debit "Other Receivables - Consignor", credit "Bank Deposits" when paying, and deduct from the amount payable to the consignor when settling.

Elizabeth Li
Elizabeth LiYears of service:3Customer Rating:5.0

Compliance and risk managerConsult

At the end of each month, the foreign currency accounts should be adjusted for exchange rates. Adjust the Renminbi balance of each foreign currency account according to the end-of-period exchange rate, and the difference should be included in "Financial Expenses - Exchange Gain or Loss" to ensure that the accounts match the actual situation.

Joseph Zhou
Joseph ZhouYears of service:10Customer Rating:5.0

Senior foreign trade managerConsult

An export agency company should regularly reconcile accounts with the consignor to ensure that the accounts between the two parties are clear. Any differences should be promptly checked and adjusted to avoid financial risks.

Andrew Huang
Andrew HuangYears of service:7Customer Rating:5.0

Supply chain optimization expertConsult

In tax treatment, the agency fee income of export agency needs to pay relevant taxes such as value-added tax according to regulations. It should be declared promptly and accurately to avoid tax risks.

James Liu
James LiuYears of service:10Customer Rating:5.0

Foreign trade tax refund consultantConsult

Do a good job in cost accounting. Besides the cost of goods, business-related costs such as customs declaration fees and agency fees should be reasonably aggregated and allocated to accurately calculate profits.

Jennifer Wang
Jennifer WangYears of service:4Customer Rating:5.0

Market development consultantConsult

Establish a sound financial file management system. Classify and archive the contracts, invoices, customs declarations and other materials related to the export agency business for easy query and audit in the future.

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