What exactly does the foreign trade agency fee include?

Professional import and export agency service fees typically consist of three core modules:

• Basic Service Costs(1.5%-3% of the contract amount)
  • Document preparation and review
  • HS Code Classification
  • Commercial compliance review
• Third-party advance payment
  • customs clearanceInspection declaration fee (approximately RMB 200-800 per shipment)
  • Transport document certification fee (e.g., Certificate of Origin 50-200 yuan)
  • Bank handling fee (0.1%-0.3% of the remittance amount)
• Value Added Services
  • Expedited processing for special documents (500-2000 RMB per instance)
  • Customized trade solution design (0.5%-1% of cargo value)
  • Supply chain financing service fee (annualized 8%-12%)

Why is there a huge difference in quotes from different agencies?

According to data from the General Administration of Customs in 2024, the differences in service fees among formal agency companies primarily stem from:

• Differences in enterprise qualifications: AEO-certified enterprises can save 20% on inspection costs.
• Differences in service depth: The cost difference between general agency and full supply chain management is 3-5 times.
• Risk tolerance: The agency fee including cargo ownership protection shall be increased by 0.8%-1.2%.

Should customs declaration fees be charged separately?

According to the latest industry standards for 2025, the compliant charging model should be:

• Basic customs declaration fees are included in the service package (200-500 RMB per shipment).
• Special circumstances will be billed separately:
  • Classification Dispute Handling (Starting from 1000 RMB per instance)
  • Inspection accompaniment service (800 CNY/workday)
  • Late declaration fee payment (plus 10% service fee)

logisticsAdditional feesWhat are the common pitfalls?

Special attention required for the following three types of hidden charges:

• Ambiguous billing unit: Is the container demurrage calculated based on calendar days or working days?
• Unreasonable split charging: The THC fee should be included in the freight.
• The exchange rateConversion routine: The non-real-time exchange rate is used for USD settlement.

Is it reasonable to charge agency fees as a percentage of the cargo value?

This billing method applies to:

• Small-batch orders with a value below $500,000.
• Regular trade products (non-hazardous chemicals/special equipment)
• Standard service process (no customized solution required)

It is recommended that projects exceeding $2 million adopt a "base fee + performance share" model, which can reduce total costs by 0.5%-1%.

How to determine if there are duplicate charges in a quotation?

Verify these three key points:

• Is the document certification fee duplicated with the embassy certification fee?
• Are bank service fees and exchange rate spreads double-charged?
• Does the transportation insurance agency fee include policy issuance services?

Which expenses should be strictly reimbursed on an actual basis?

The expenses for which the agency must provide original vouchers include:

• Customs duties and value-added tax levied by customs
• Shipping company's peak season surcharge (PSS/CIC)
• International customs clearance agency service fee
• Storage fees incurred due to failure to pick up goods at the destination port

What are the new changes in foreign trade agency fees in 2025?

According to the latest industry trends, please note:

• The digital service fee for RCEP Certificates of Origin has been reduced by 30%.
• EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) declaration surcharge (approximately 0.3% of the cargo value)
• Electronic Bill of Lading Handling Fee becomes an independent charge item ($50-100 per bill).
• The certification fees for documents related to the U.S. IRA Act have increased by 15%.

It is recommended that enterprises clearly define the fee calculation method, payment milestones, and dispute resolution mechanism when signing agency agreements. Require the agent to provide a complete fee list for similar transactions over the past three years and stipulate compensation clauses for overcharging. A professional agency should be able to provide over 80% of the fee details in advance based on HS codes—this is the hallmark of a trustworthy partner.