Positioning of Roles in the Tripartite Collaboration Mechanism

In the business of equipment agency imports,Importer,foreign tradeAgent, overseas supplierForm a stable triangular relationship. The importer, as the actual demand party, needs to clarify the technical parameters and intended use of the equipment; the foreign trade agency company provides professional services such as customs clearance, payment settlement, and logistics; while the overseas supplier must ensure the equipment complies with international trade standards.

Six Key Dimensions of Responsibility and Authority Allocation

• Contractual obligations
  • Importer: Provide accurate HS code declaration elements.
  • Agency Company: Ensure that payment documents comply with foreign exchange control requirements.
  • Supplier: Provide complete technical confirmation documents.
• Risk bearing
  • The transfer of title is determined by the signing and receipt of the bill of lading.
  • Quality disputes are categorized according to international trade terms.
• Dispute handling
  • The agency agreement must specify the arbitration clause.
  • Maintain complete email communication records.

Chronicles of Typical Dispute Cases: Lessons Learned

A certainMedical EquipmentIn the import project, the supplier's delayed delivery caused the importer to miss the bidding deadline. The agency company failed to stipulate in the contract thatOrder of Application for Compensation Clauses, ultimately bearing 30% of the joint liability. This case highlights the importance ofTime node constraint clause,

Construction of a Whole-Process Risk Prevention and Control System

• Pre - preparation Stage
  • Application for Advance Ruling on Equipment Classification
  • 3CPre-certification verification
• Contract execution phase
  • Establish phased payment terms
  • Retain 5% of the amount as quality bond.
• Customs clearance and delivery phase
  • Double Witness System for Goods Arrival Inspection
  • Equipment Debugging Video Evidence

Restructuring of Rights and Responsibilities Under the New Cooperation Model

With the update of INCOTERMS 2025, it is recommended to adoptDAP terms + customized service appendixThe combination model. Under this model, the agency can extend its offerings to provideTechnical Regulation Compliance Review,Localized Installation GuideValue-added services, etc., but the service boundaries and disclaimer clauses must be clearly specified in the agreement.

The Three Golden Rules of Dispute Prevention

• Document Management Regulations: Establish a quadruple document verification system (proforma invoice, packing list, bill of lading, customs declaration).
• The Principle of Communication Traceability: Key decisions shall adopt dual safeguards of written confirmation plus call recording.
• The Law of Professional Complementarity: Introduce an independent third party for technical acceptance.

In the business of importing equipment through an agent, clear delineation of rights and responsibilities must be maintained throughout the entire project lifecycle. It is recommended that enterprises establishDynamic Risk Management Mechanism, update the supplier evaluation report quarterly, review the agency agreement terms annually, and ensure that the tripartite cooperation remains under control. A professional foreign trade agency company should proactively provideRisk warning alerts, assisting importers in establishing compliant and efficient channels for equipment procurement.