• Welcome to China Foreign Trade Agency!
  • HomeFAQsExport agent
  • What documents are needed to prepare for goods exported through an agent? Do you know?

What documents are needed to prepare for goods exported through an agent? Do you know?

NO.20250729*****

Problem Analysis: *****, Solution: *****, Process and Cost: *****

Get the solution

Our company plans to engage an agent company for export business. We have no prior experience in this area and would like to know what documents are needed for goods exported through an agent. Do different products require different documents? We hope for a detailed answer so that we can prepare in advance and avoid being flustered at that time.

Quick Consultation :

Professional consultant answers

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

Compliance and risk managerConsult

Generally, the following types of documents are required for goods exported through an agent:

First are commercial documents, including commercial invoices, which need to list in detail information such as the description, quantity, and value of the goods; and packing lists, which clarify the packaging details of the goods.

Second are transportation-related documents. The bill of lading is the core as it is a receipt for the goods and a proof of the transportation contract; the booking instruction is used to book shipping space with a freight forwarder.

Third are customs clearance documents. The customs declaration form should be filled with accurate information about the goods; the verification and write-off sheet is used when completing the verification and write-off of export proceeds; various inspection and quarantine certificates, such as quality inspection certificates and sanitary certificates, are provided according to the different requirements of the goods.

In addition, an agency agreement is essential to clarify the rights and obligations of the principal and the agent. Due to different regulatory requirements for different products, there will be differences in documents. For example, food requires more certificates related to health and safety, while electronic products may involve certification documents, etc.

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

Document expertConsult

Generally, a contract is required, that is, the foreign trade contract signed between you and the foreign customer. All terms in it should be clear, which is the basis of the export business. Also, a certificate of origin is needed to prove the country of origin of the goods. Some countries have preferential tariff policies for goods from specific origins, so this is also quite important.

David Li
David LiYears of service:6Customer Rating:5.0

Senior customs declaration consultantConsult

The packing details should be prepared, specifying what is in each box, the weight, volume, etc. Also, a customs declaration power of attorney is required for entrusting the agent company to handle customs declaration. It must be stamped with the official seal.

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

Business coordination consultantConsult

For goods subject to quota management, corresponding quota certification documents are needed. For example, when exporting textiles to some countries and regions, a quota is required. Otherwise, the goods cannot be exported.

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

Senior foreign trade managerConsult

An export license may also be required. For some special commodities, such as chemicals and military products, an export license is a must for export, which is a requirement of national regulation.

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

Market development consultantConsult

Although the foreign exchange verification and write-off sheet is not as strict as before after the reform, it may still be used in some business processes to prove the authenticity of the export business and the situation of foreign exchange receipts and payments.

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

Supply chain optimization expertConsult

If the goods need to be transshipped, transshipment documents should also be prepared, such as a transshipment notice, to inform relevant parties of the transshipment information of the goods.

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

Cost control consultantConsult

Don't forget the insurance documents. Especially under trade terms such as CIF, after insuring the goods, there will be insurance documents to protect against risks during the transportation of the goods.

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

Foreign trade tax refund consultantConsult

A fumigation certificate for wooden packaging is required if the goods are packed in wooden materials. Some countries require this certificate to prevent the spread of pests and diseases.

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

Settlement and payment expertConsult

Product brochures are sometimes needed, especially for some high-tech products, to help foreign customers understand the product performance, usage methods, etc.

The relevant questions or replies only represent the user’s personal stance and do not represent any views of this website.

You may also like

Does an export agent handle tax refunds?

When hiring an export agent to handle business, there are questions about whether the export agent processes tax refunds—whether it's the agent's responsibility or the client's, what documents the client needs to provide for agent-assisted refunds, and whether the process is complex. The best answer clarifies that export agents can handle tax refunds, with two models: client self-refund or agent-assisted refund. For agent-assisted refunds, clients must provide documents like purchase contracts, and while the process isn't simple, agents have expertise advantages.

Who should declare the tax refund for export agency? Come and find out!

Our company exports goods through an agency company. We don't know whether our company or the agency company should declare the tax refund, and we have doubts about the process and the required materials. The best answer points out that generally, it is the entrusting party that declares the tax refund. Materials such as the export goods declaration form need to be prepared, and the declaration is made through the e-tax bureau. Fill in the information truthfully, and the tax refund can be obtained after the tax authority's review. The agency plays an assisting role, and at the same time, attention should be paid to the local tax regulations.

Are there risks in export agency enterprises? Come and find out!

Considering cooperating with an export agency enterprise, but worried about potential risks and want to know what aspects to consider. The best answer points out that there are risks in export agency enterprises. For example, goods transportation may cause problems to the goods due to the unprofessionalism of freight forwarders; improper operation in the foreign exchange settlement process may affect the receipt of foreign exchange; miscommunication with foreign businessmen may lead to disputes, and there may also be risks such as the bankruptcy of enterprises due to poor management. Before cooperation, it is necessary to examine the qualifications and sign a detailed contract.

What are the processes and key points of document preparation for export freight forwarding?

I've just entered the export freight forwarding industry and want to know about document preparation. I'm asking how to prepare documents for export freight forwarding and the key points. The best answer states that for document preparation in export freight forwarding, generally, first accept the entrustment to obtain cargo information, prepare the shipping note and book shipping space to get the shipping space allocation receipt, and then prepare the bill of lading. When preparing documents, ensure the accuracy and consistency of information, pay attention to the bill of lading issuance requirements and the cut-off time.

How is the fee generally charged for export agency services? What are the standards?

Our company plans to use an export agency for goods and wants to understand the fee standards for export agency services. The best answer points out that common charging methods include a percentage of the export amount, typically ranging from 0.8% to 3%, influenced by various factors. Other models include fixed fees and profit-sharing arrangements. When selecting an agency, price should not be the only consideration; a comprehensive evaluation is necessary.

I'm interested in acting as an agent for the processing of imported woolen yarn. But I have no idea how to start. For example, what procedures do I need to go through, how to find reliable sources of goods, and what should I pay attention to in the processing stage? I hope experienced friends can give me a detailed explanation. Thank you so much!

Someone asked about how to start the agent processing of imported woolen yarn without knowing how to do it, including aspects such as procedures, sources of goods, and processing links. The best answer pointed out in detail that one should register a company and handle relevant procedures, find sources of goods through exhibitions and platforms, and pay attention to the venue, equipment technology, and quality inspection during processing, providing practical guidance for those who want to engage in this business.