Whether an agent export enterprise needs to pay VAT depends on the situation. If the agent export enterprise only charges an agency fee, the VAT in the goods export link is the responsibility of the principal, and the agent pays VAT on the agency fee income. Generally, it is paid according to "business auxiliary services - brokerage agency services", with a tax rate of 6%. For small - scale taxpayers, the collection rate is 3% (the collection rate may be adjusted under some preferential policies). This is stipulated in the Notice of the Ministry of Finance and the State Taxation Administration on Comprehensively Launching the Pilot Project of Replacing Business Tax with VAT (Caishui [2016] No. 36). If the agent export enterprise exports goods in its own name and meets specific conditions, the principal shall declare export tax rebates, and the agent is not involved in the payment of VAT for the goods export. If the conditions are not met, the agent needs to pay VAT and other taxes as if it were self - export.
Therefore, your company mainly needs to judge based on the business essence and the applicable policy conditions.
Professional consultant answers
David LiYears of service：6Customer Rating：5.0
Senior customs declaration consultantConsult
Whether an agent export enterprise needs to pay VAT depends on the situation. If the agent export enterprise only charges an agency fee, the VAT in the goods export link is the responsibility of the principal, and the agent pays VAT on the agency fee income. Generally, it is paid according to "business auxiliary services - brokerage agency services", with a tax rate of 6%. For small - scale taxpayers, the collection rate is 3% (the collection rate may be adjusted under some preferential policies). This is stipulated in the Notice of the Ministry of Finance and the State Taxation Administration on Comprehensively Launching the Pilot Project of Replacing Business Tax with VAT (Caishui [2016] No. 36). If the agent export enterprise exports goods in its own name and meets specific conditions, the principal shall declare export tax rebates, and the agent is not involved in the payment of VAT for the goods export. If the conditions are not met, the agent needs to pay VAT and other taxes as if it were self - export.
Therefore, your company mainly needs to judge based on the business essence and the applicable policy conditions.
Michelle ChenYears of service：3Customer Rating：5.0
Business coordination consultantConsult
If the agent export enterprise meets specific conditions and exports through the entrusted agency method, and the principal is a production enterprise with the right to import and export, etc., then the agent usually pays VAT on the agency fee.
Andrew HuangYears of service：7Customer Rating：5.0
Supply chain optimization expertConsult
Generally speaking, as long as the agent export enterprise does not export goods in its own name and assume corresponding risks, it only pays VAT on the agency fee as required.
William YangYears of service：5Customer Rating：5.0
International logistics consultantConsult
If the agent export enterprise does not advance funds in the business, and the relevant procedures such as customs declaration and foreign exchange receipt are handled in the name of the principal, it pays VAT on the agency fee.
James LiuYears of service：10Customer Rating：5.0
Foreign trade tax refund consultantConsult
When the agent export enterprise exports in its own name but does not meet specific requirements such as the standards for self - produced goods, it has to pay VAT.
Emily LiuYears of service：10Customer Rating：5.0
Settlement and payment expertConsult
If the agent export enterprise signs an export contract in the name of the principal and handles the export business as required by the principal, the agency fee is subject to VAT.
Jennifer WangYears of service：4Customer Rating：5.0
Market development consultantConsult
If the agent export enterprise does not own the ownership of the exported goods and only provides agency services, it also pays VAT on the agency fee.
Elizabeth LiYears of service：3Customer Rating：5.0
Compliance and risk managerConsult
From the perspective of tax collection and management, if the tax authorities determine that the business of the agent export enterprise is a pure agency service, VAT is levied on the agency fee.
Joseph ZhouYears of service：10Customer Rating：5.0
Senior foreign trade managerConsult
If the agent export enterprise only plays the role of intermediary introduction and assistance in handling procedures in the export business process, the agency fee is within the scope of VAT taxable items.