FilingExport agentWhat core qualifications should a merchant possess?

According to the latest international trade regulations for 2025, qualified food export agents must possess:

• Dual certification system
  • Customs AEO Advanced Certification (Valid until 2027)
  • ISO22000 Food Safety Management System certification
• Industry-specific qualifications
  • U.S. FDA Food Facility Registration (2025 Updated Version)
  • Notification under the EU Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF)
  • BRCGS Global Standard for Food Safety Issue 8 Certification
• Logistics support capability
  • Cold Chain Transportation Temperature Control Record System (must provide sample records from the past 6 months)
  • Cross-border Commodity Traceability System (with Blockchain Technology Verification Support)

2. How to verify the actual operational capabilities of an agent?

It is recommended to adopt the "three checks and three verifications" method:

• Check historical cases: Request for the provision of similar food export data from the past two years.
  • Customs Clearance Time Statistics Table
  • Target country customs clearance success rate
  • Emergency Incident Handling Archives
• On-site management observation
  • Warehouse environment humidity control (real-time monitoring data required)
  • Pest Control Records (Third-party Disinfection Report Required)
  • Designated Area for Isolated Storage of Goods
• Measure response speed: Simulate emergency scenarios (such as customs spot checks, certificate expiration) to test the contingency mechanism.

3. What are the special requirements for selecting agents in emerging markets?

For emerging markets such as Southeast Asia and the Middle East, it is recommended to focus on:

• Religious certification system
  • HALAL certification (note the differences between Indonesia's MUI and Malaysia's JAKIM).
  • Jewish KOSHER Certification (New Electronic Certificate Verification Requirement Added in 2025)
• Dispute Resolution Method
  • A physical customs clearance company is established in the target country.
  • Possess membership in the local food association
• Special document processing capabilities
  • Expedited processing channel for Vietnam Food Hygiene Certificate (FSC)
  • Pre-audit service for Saudi SASO certification

IV. How to Prevent Risks During Cooperation?

It is recommended to establish a three-tier risk prevention mechanism:

• Essential items of contract terms
  • Quality Dispute Resolution Process (Specifying the Right to Appoint Third-Party Inspection Agencies)
  • Compensation Standard for Customs Clearance Delays (Calculated at 0.1% of the Cargo Value per Day)
  • Intellectual Property Guarantee Clause
• Suggested payment methods
  • The down payment shall not exceed 30%.
  • The remaining balance shall be paid after the inspection of goods at the destination port.
  • Adopt the LC and DP combined payment method
• Regular review mechanism
  • Quarterly Service Evaluation Meeting
  • Annual Qualification Document Renewal Review
  • Joint Emergency Drill

5. How to handle agency disputes?

It is recommended to proceed in three steps:

• Evidence preservation stage
  • Notarize the email correspondence and chat records immediately.
  • Request the Customs to issue a certificate of cargo status.
  • Maintain temperature records during transportation.
• Professional Intervention Stage
  • Request the International Trade Arbitration Commission to mediate.
  • Apply for a credit investigation through the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade.
  • In cases involving significant losses, it is advisable to engage a maritime lawyer.
• Post-disposal phase
  • Reapply for product access certification
  • Update the enterprise's customs credit record.
  • Establish a list of alternative agents