What isExport RepresentationCertificate number?

Export agency certificate number (Customs Brokerage License Number) is a unique identification code for agency enterprises registered with China Customs. This 13-digit code consists of the first 4 digits representing the customs code of the enterprises registration location and the last 9 digits being the enterprises sequential number. According to the latest 2025 Customs Declaration Unit Registration Management Regulations, any enterprise engaged in import and export agency business must obtain this certificate number to conduct business.import and exportWhich enterprises need to apply for an export agency certificate number?

Professional customs declaration agency enterprises

• Trade companies providing import and export agency services
• Logistics enterprises in special supervision areas
• Cross-border E-commercecomprehensive service enterprises
• Entities meeting all the following conditions:
• Entities meeting all the following conditions:
  • Annual customs declaration agency volume exceeds 50 transactions
  • Handling agency services for high-risk categories such as mechanical & electrical/chemical products
  • Conducting processing trade agency business

What materials need to be prepared for the application process?

According to Announcement No. 38 of the General Administration of Customs in 2025, the application materials include:

• Original Customs Declaration Unit Filing Information Form,
• Duplicate of business license (must include import-export operation rights)
• Professional customs declaration personnel qualification certificates (minimum 2 persons)
• Proof of business premises usage (lease contract or property ownership certificate)
• Electronic Port IC Card processing voucher

How long is the validity period of the certificate number?

After the 2024 reform, the export agency certificate number has abolished the annual inspection system and changed toLong-term validity. However, enterprises must update within 15 working days when the following changes occur:

• Change of legal representative
• Major adjustment of registered capital
• Relocation of business premises
• Change of business scope

Common issues in certificate number usage

• Agency authority limitations:Cannot represent special regulated goods beyond authorized scope
• Code sharing risks:Lending or sharing certificate numbers is strictly prohibited
• Customs declaration form association:Each customs declaration form must correspond to a specific agency agreement
• Electronic Declaration Specifications:The complete 13-digit code must be accurately entered in the Declaring Unit field

How to verify the authenticity of an agency certificate number?

It is recommended to verify through the following official channels:

• The Enterprise Registration Inquiry system on the official website of China Customs
• The Enterprise Qualification Inquiry module in the Single Window system
• Manual verification through Customs 12360 service hotline

Typical scenarios of certificate number invalidation

• No customs declaration records for 12 consecutive months
• Revocation of qualification due to smuggling violations
• Failure to pay customs deposit on time
• False registration information discovered during system spot checks

Special business scenario considerations

• Cross-border e-commerce:Additional cross-border e-commerce enterprise registration is required
• Bonded logistics:Special supervision codes must be noted in the remarks column of the certificate number
• Temporary import/export:Each shipment requires separate submission of guarantee documents

Correspondence between certificate numbers and customs declarations

According to the 2025 General Administration of Customs supervision requirements, each customs declaration must:

• Display the complete 13-digit certificate number in the Declaring Unit column
• Be accompanied by a paper Customs Declaration Power of Attorney
• Maintain operation records in the electronic authorization system for over 3 years

What penalties will be imposed for improper use?

• Confiscation of illegal gains (10%-30% of case value)
• Suspension of customs declaration privileges for 3-6 months
• Downgrade of enterprise credit rating
• Legal representative included in customs失信名單 (discredited entities list)

It is recommended that enterprises establish in actual operationsDual review mechanism: First, the business department verifies the correspondence between agency agreements and certificate numbers; second, the customs affairs department conducts regular self-checks on system declaration records. When encountering complex business scenarios, professional customs declaration agencies or local customs regulatory authorities should be promptly consulted.