Which is more suitable for me, self - managed export or agency export?
Our company plans to expand overseas markets and is ready to carry out export business. Now we are whether to choose self - managed export or agency export. I would like to ask what are the advantages and disadvantages of these two methods? Which one is more worthy of choice? Our company is not large in scale, relatively limited in terms of capital and manpower, but hopes to make as much profit as possible in the export business. We are not particularly familiar with the export process either. We don't know how to make a choice. Can you give us some suggestions?
Professional consultant answers
Jennifer WangYears of service:4Customer Rating:5.0
Market development consultantConsult
Both self - managed export and agency export have their advantages and disadvantages. For self - managed export, the advantages are strong autonomy, direct profits, and the ability to accumulate customer resources and foreign trade experience. However, the disadvantages are also obvious. It is necessary to form a professional foreign trade team, be familiar with complex processes such as customs declaration and tax rebate, have a large capital investment, and face high risks. Agency export is suitable for companies like yours. There is no need to invest too much manpower and capital to build a foreign trade system. The agency company is familiar with the process, which can improve efficiency and reduce the risk of errors. However, the agency will charge a certain fee, which will affect the profit margin. Considering your company's small scale, limited capital and manpower, and unfamiliarity with the process, agency export is more appropriate in the initial stage. When the business matures and resources are sufficient, consider self - managed export to gradually gain the initiative.
Emily LiuYears of service:10Customer Rating:5.0
Settlement and payment expertConsult
Although self - managed export is troublesome in the early stage, it can save a lot of costs in the long run. If your company has a long - term development plan and wants to deeply control the business, you can try to cultivate relevant talents first and gradually carry out self - managed export.
William YangYears of service:5Customer Rating:5.0
International logistics consultantConsult
Agency export is convenient and fast, allowing you to focus on production. However, it is necessary to choose a good agency company. Otherwise, there may be problems such as poor service quality and even damage to the company's interests.
James LiuYears of service:10Customer Rating:5.0
Foreign trade tax refund consultantConsult
Self - managed export needs to bear risks such as exchange rate fluctuations. In the case of agency export, some risks can be transferred to the agency company. For companies with weak risk - bearing capacity, agency export is a good choice.
Joseph ZhouYears of service:10Customer Rating:5.0
Senior foreign trade managerConsult
If the company's products are highly specialized, self - managed export can better introduce the products to customers. In agency export, due to the limited understanding of the products by the agency staff, it may affect business promotion.
Amanda YangYears of service:3Customer Rating:5.0
Cost control consultantConsult
Agency export can rely on the agency company's connections and channel resources to quickly open up the international market, which is very helpful for companies eager to expand overseas business.
Michelle ChenYears of service:3Customer Rating:5.0
Business coordination consultantConsult
Self - managed export can build the corporate brand image and establish a unique position in the international market. Agency export may not be strong enough in brand promotion.
Elizabeth LiYears of service:3Customer Rating:5.0
Compliance and risk managerConsult
From the cost perspective, the initial cost of self - managed export is high, while the cost of agency export is relatively fixed, that is, the agency fee. This needs to be considered in combination with the company's financial situation.
David LiYears of service:6Customer Rating:5.0
Senior customs declaration consultantConsult
If the company has a certain foreign trade foundation, self - managed export can better control product quality and delivery time. There may be communication and coordination costs in agency export in this regard.