Is export agency the lazy choice? 90% of bosses got it wrong

"Mr. Zhang recently registered a foreign trade company but struggled with export options - agency export is convenient but less profitable, while self-operated export is lucrative but has higher barriers. Which suits his small business better?" If you share similar concerns, this article will clarify the differences in 10 minutes.

Export agency works like a "foreign trade nanny," where professional agents handle customs clearance, tax rebates and all procedures. For example, Ms. Li's garment factory exports through Zhongshitong - just providing goods and basic documents while the agent handles complex formalities.

Self-operated export means building your own foreign trade team to control everything from client development to payment collection. Like an electronics factory establishing an international department to contract directly with overseas buyers.

• Capital threshold: Agency export only requires service fees (~1%-3% of goods value), while self-operated export needs fixed costs like salaries and platform fees
• Risk assumption: Agents partially guarantee payment security, whereas self-exporters bear all risks of client default and exchange rate fluctuations
• Profit margin: Self-operated export eliminates middlemen, typically yielding 8%-15% higher profits
• Client resources: Agency may obscure end-client information, while self-export builds your own client database
• Compliance requirements: Self-export needs import/export licenses and forex accounts; agency only requires business license

Dynamic choices based on business lifecycle:

• Startups: Recommend agency export to test international markets at minimal cost
• Growing businesses: Hybrid approach - self-export core products, delegate non-core items
• Mature enterprises: Build complete export system but use agents for sudden large orders

1. "Agency is always cheaper": Long-term self-export has lower marginal costs
2. "Self-operation means doing everything": Non-core processes like logistics can still be outsourced
3. "Choices are irreversible": Models can switch flexibly based on needs

After this comparison, try a simple calculation: List your last 3 export orders to simulate costs/profits under both models. You'll find no universally correct answer, only the best choice for your current stage. Share your findings or questions in comments - let's illuminate each other's foreign trade journey.