Is importing on behalf of others more profitable than speculating on real estate?

Mr. Zhang recently discovered that several "invisible tycoons" suddenly appeared in his circle of friends - neither having physical stores nor frequent business trips, but having a six-figure increase in monthly bank statements. It wasn't until a dinner party that someone slurred the truth: "Smart people are all playing the income from importing on behalf of others..."

Simply put, it is to help overseas brands complete the whole process service from customs declaration, tax payment to domestic distribution, and earn service fees from it. The industry report of Zhongshitong shows that the market scale in this field exceeded 80 billion yuan in 2023, with an annual compound growth rate of 23%.

• Light asset operation: No need to stockpile goods in warehouses, and the electronic customs clearance form is the "virtual inventory"
• High-profit link: VAT rebates + exchange rate differences can create a profit margin of 15-25%
• Policy dividend: The tax incentives of the cross-border e-commerce comprehensive pilot zone are continuously increased

The case of Ms. Li is quite representative: Last year, when she imported a batch of German laboratory equipment on behalf of others, the single income reached 18% of the value of the goods.

• Selection strategy: High-value-added categories such as medical devices and scientific research instruments, and the service rate can reach more than 20%
• Capital leverage: Use the letter of credit for payment to reduce the occupation of own funds to 30% of the value of the goods
• Risk hedging: Lock the exchange rate through forward foreign exchange settlement to avoid exchange loss when the payment is received

The latest statistics from a certain cross-border e-commerce park show that about 37% of new entrants will suffer a crushing defeat on their first orders.

• Certification trap: EU CE certification is not equal to China CFDA certification, and an additional 10-15% inspection fee needs to be paid
• Logistics black hole: The transportation cost of special goods (such as cold-chain drugs) may exceed the quoted price by 30%
• Payment minefield: Some Middle Eastern customers require the DP payment method, which may result in losing both money and goods

With the full entry into force of the RCEP agreement, the import agency of characteristic agricultural products in ASEAN countries is becoming a new blue ocean. The research data of Zhongshitong shows:

• The import agency fee for Malaysian Musang King durians has increased to 12,000 yuan per container
• The domestic distribution price difference of Vietnamese cashews remains at 8-12 yuan per kilogram
• The service fee ratio of Thai latex pillows in the online channel reaches as high as 25%