Home?Trade Essentials? How to ensure the safe arrival of payment for goods in agency export? What risks must be noted in foreign trade payment collection?
In 2025, the mainstream agency collection methods in international trade show diversified development:
Handling fee: 0.1% - 0.3%: Still the first choice for small and medium - sized orders, accounting for about 58%
L/C(L/C): The mainstream payment tool for large - value transactions. Attention should be paid to the upgraded rules of SWIFT GPI
Cross - border RMB settlement: The usage rate in RCEP member countries has increased to 32%
: Suitable for small - value orders.: For example, Payoneer corporate accounts support currency exchange for 137 currencies
Supply chain finance: Including innovative models such as OA open account under Sinosure
II. How to choose the most suitable agency payment collection plan?
It is recommended to establish an evaluation system from three dimensions:
Transaction characteristics
For emerging markets, it is recommended to adopt 30% advance payment + 70% payment against the bill of lading copy
For EU customers, it is possible to try an open account (O/A) combined with export credit insurance
Cost of funds
The handling fee of a letter of credit is usually 0.5% - 1.5% of the transaction amount
Cross - border RMB settlement can save 1 - 2% of exchange losses
Risk tolerance
For customers in the first - time cooperation, it is recommended to require a deposit of not less than 30%
For war - torn areas, it is necessary to match Sinosures political risk insurance
III. What potential risks exist in cross - border payment collection?
Three major types of risks that need to be particularly vigilant against in 2025:
Foreign exchange control risk: Nine countries such as Argentina and Nigeria implement strict foreign exchange approvals
Intermediary bank deduction: Multilateral transit may lead to unexpected deductions of 5% - 8%
Record - filing of Foreign Trade Operators: It is necessary to comply with the dual reporting obligations of FATCA and CRS
IV. How to verify the payment collection qualifications of the export agency?
It is recommended to implement a four - step verification method:
Inspect the original of the Registration Form for Foreign Trade Operators,foreign tradeVerify the status of the enterprise list in the State Administration of Foreign Exchange (category A/B/C)
Require the provision of AEO certification records of the customs in the past three years
Verify the qualification of participating banks in cross - border RMB settlement
The typical cost structure in 2025 includes:
V. What expense costs are involved in agency payment collection?
Bank handling fee: 0.1% - 0.3% (minimum $30 per transaction)
Intermediary bank fee: $15 - $80 (depending on the number of transit banks)
Exchange loss: The real - time exchange rate spread is about 0.5% - 1%
Cost of capital occupation: 4% - 6% annualized (when the payment period exceeds 60 days)
VI. How to ensure timely when encountering foreign exchange control
: Require the buyer to provide a copy of the LIC import licenseCountries with a foreign exchange quota system
: Split the payment and execute it in multiple monthsCountries with a dual - track exchange rate system
: Agree to settle according to the offshore exchange rate (CNH)
Three development directions worthy of attention in 2025:
VII. What is the latest trend in international trade payments?
The pilot of digital currency settlement is expanded to 35 countries and regions
The processing time of blockchain letters of credit is shortened to 24 hours
Automatic payment of smart contracts becomes popular in large multinational groups
(Special note: The data described in this article is sorted out based on public industry reports. For specific operations, please refer to the suggestions of professional institutions. The list of countries involved in foreign exchange control may change with policy adjustments. It is recommended to consult an agency company for the latest guidelines before the transaction.)
How does an export agent ensure the safe arrival of payment? What risks must be noted in foreign trade collection? | Shanghai Import/Export Agent