How Deep is the Pit of Import Agency?

Mr. Zhang stared at the customs detention notice, his fingers unconsciously tapping on the desk. Three months ago, the import agency for medical equipment he entrusted was fully detained due to a numerical difference on the customs declaration form, and the agency insisted that "the responsibility lies entirely with the customer". This familiar plot repeats itself every day on the stage of international trade.

According to the 217 cases handled by the Zhongshitong legal team, 90% of the agency import disputes focus on the following areas:

• Deviation in Declaration of Goods Value: Ms. Li once had an entire batch of goods identified as smuggling because the agency company declared handicrafts as "industrial accessories"
• Lack of Qualification Documents: A batch of German imported equipment was detained at the port due to the agency's failure to obtain the 3C certification, resulting in astronomical warehousing fees
• Vague Division of Responsibilities: The "force majeure clause" in the contract often becomes a universal excuse for shirking responsibilities

In a typical court trial, the agency's lawyer presented three sets of evidence: The WeChat communication records showed that the customer confirmed the declaration content; Article 8.2 of the contract stipulated that "the final data shall be subject to the confirmation of the customer"; and the "customer self-filled data sheet" issued by the customs broker. The plaintiff, on the other hand, claimed:

• The confirmation was for a draft, not the final version of the document
• The agency never explained the legal consequences of the data difference
• The key communication was only carried out by voice without leaving a trace

The winning cases represented by Zhongshitong reveal the golden evidence combination:

• Email exchanges with timestamps (superior to fragmented WeChat communication)
• A document confirmation list jointly stamped by the legal departments of both parties
• Valuation report of goods value issued by a third-party inspection agency
• Notarization of the final confirmation process 48 hours before customs declaration

When you, in front of the screen, are considering entrusting an import agency, you might as well first complete this risk assessment: Have you kept all the sample photos? Have you verified the agency's AEO certification certificate? Is there a clear proportion for sharing port detention fees in the contract? International trade is like dancing the tango in a minefield, and professional protection is more important than post-event remedies.

Put down your phone now and immediately do three things: Check the dispute resolution clause in the agency contract; Organize all communication records from the past six months; Make an appointment with a professional customs lawyer for compliance diagnosis. Every cautious move of yours may save you a seven-figure litigation cost in the future.