Export RepresentationIs the certificate number mandatory for customs?

According to the newly implemented Customsimport and exportGoods Declaration Management Regulations in 2025,all enterprises entrusting export agents must provide valid agency certificate numbers. These numbers are uniformly assigned by the General Administration of Customs to verify the legal operation qualifications of import/export agency enterprises. Failure to report as required will result in:

• The customs declaration form being automatically rejected by the system
• Export DrawbackDelayed approval of applications
• Additional storage fees

What key information does the agency certificate number contain?

The standard 18-digit agency certificate number structure is as follows:

• First 4 digits: Direct customs code (e.g. 0200 represents Shanghai Customs)
• Middle 8 digits: Enterprise registration date (in YYYYMMDD format)
• Last 6 digits: Sequence number + check digit

For example 020020250101123456 represents the 12,345th agency enterprise registered with Shanghai Customs on January 1, 2025, with 6 as the check digit at the end.

How to verify whether an agency certificate number is valid?

It is recommended to verify through the following three official channels:

• The Enterprise Qualification Query System on the official website of the General Administration of Customs
• The Enterprise Filing Information Verification module on the Single Window platform
• The QR code scanning verification function in the Palm Customs APP

Note: New additions starting from March 2025Dynamic QR code anti-counterfeiting technology, scanning the QR code on the original agency certificate allows real-time status verification.

What is the relationship between the agency certificate number and the customs declaration number?

The two form astrong correlation relationship:

• in export declarations.
• The Declaring Unit field in the customs declaration form must include the agency certificate number.
  • The same number can be associated with multiple customs declarations, but ensure that:
  • The validity period of the agency agreement covers all declaration dates

The declared goods do not exceed the scope specified in the agency agreement

Under what circumstances will the agency certificate number become invalid?

• Key customs supervision priorities for 2025 include:Annual review overdue
• : Annual qualification review must be completed by January 31 each yearAbnormal operations
• : No actual agency business for 6 consecutive monthsUnreported information changes

: Changes to company name/address/legal representative must be updated within 5 working days

Typical case: A Shenzhen agency company failed to update its office address in time, resulting in suspension of its number, affecting customs clearance for 15 client companies.

It is recommended to establishWhat documents should the principal keep?:

• Agency business file management system
• Original agency agreement (must include number, validity period, and agency scope)
• Scanned copy of customs filing receipt
• Power of attorney corresponding to each customs declaration

Payment vouchers and business correspondence emailsSpecial note: According to 2025 new regulations, the retention period for entrusted documents has been extended to.

5 years after cargo release

How to correct errors in the agency certificate number?

• Handle in two situations:Errors discovered before customs declaration
• : Directly modify electronic declaration data:
  • Problems found after declaration
  • Not released: Apply for amendment and submit an explanatory statement

Released: Correct through subsequent supervision procedures

Cross-border E-commerceImportant notice: Starting from 2025, more than 3 cumulative annual modifications by the same company will trigger customs audit.

For cross-border e-commerce new business models:

• B2B direct export (Model 9710) still follows traditional agency rules
• B2C retail export (Model 9610) is permittedPlatform centralized agency filing
• Overseas warehouse business (Model 9810) requires separate applicationOverseas operation agency qualification

How to avoid common declaration errors?

Based on customs statistics for the first half of 2025, main issues include:

• Confusion between self-number and agency number (occurrence rate 32%)
• Overuse of agency qualifications (accounting for 45% of violation cases)
• Inconsistencies between electronic data and paper documents (accounting for 28% of rejection reasons)

It is recommended to establishDouble - person review mechanism, especially when handling bulk commodities or sensitive items.

What is the relationship between agency certificate numbers and export tax rebates?

Tax authorities use this number to achieve:

• Verification of export business authenticity
• Tracking of goods flow trajectory
• Prevention of fake export risks

2025 new export tax rebate regulations require,Agency certificate numbers must completely match VAT invoice information, otherwise it will affect tax rebate progress.