I.Export agentWhat specific services are included in the fee?

Export agentFees refer to the service charges collected by professional foreign trade service agencies for providing comprehensive trade services to export enterprises. According to industry practices in 2025, they primarily include the following core services:

• customs clearanceDeclaration servicesIncluding HS code classification, preparation of customs declaration documents, and electronic data submission.
• Logistics coordination servicesOcean/Air Freight Booking, Shipping Document Processing, Cargo Tracking
• Single certificate processing servicesPreparation of trade documents such as commercial invoices, packing lists, and certificates of origin.
• Fund settlement servicesForeign exchange receipts and payments, tax refund declaration, letter of credit document submission
• Compliance Review ServiceTrade compliance review, export control screening, trade barrier response

II. What are the new changes in the commission calculation standards for 2025?

Based on the latest market research, agency fee pricing exhibits two major trends:

• Tiered pricing becomes widespread:
  • Export amount below USD 500,000: 0.8%-1.2%
  • $500,000-$2,000,000: 0.6%-0.8%
  • Over $2 million: Special rates negotiable
• Value-added service modularization:
  • Basic Service Package: Includes customs clearance, documentation, and other basic services.
  • Premium Service Package: Includes value-added services such as supply chain financing and credit insurance.

3. How to determine if the agency fee quotation is reasonable?

It is recommended to evaluate the reasonableness of the quotation from three dimensions:

• Horizontal comparison methodObtain quotes from 3-5 agency companies, ensuring to compare whether the service offerings are equivalent.
• Cost accounting methodSelf-calculate the direct costs of single-ticket export business, including documentation, labor, and system usage.
• Valuation MethodAssess the hidden value provided by the agency, such as risk prevention and control, and accelerated tax refunds.

IV. Agency Fees andTrade termsWhat are the existing associations?

Different trade terms affect the composition of agency fees:

• FOB terms: Usually includes domestic transportation document processing fees.
• The CIF provisionsAdditional charges for preparing marine insurance documents required.
• DDP termsIncluding special fees for customs clearance services in the destination country

5. How to Avoid Agency Fee Disputes?

It is recommended to adopt the following risk prevention and control measures:

• Sign a detailed service agreementClearly define the charging items, payment milestones, and responsibility boundaries.
• Establish a cost verification mechanismRequest to provide detailed monthly statements along with relevant supporting documents.
• Agreed dispute resolution methodIt is recommended to choose the China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission (CIETAC) as the arbitration institution.

Special Reminder: Some countries will implement new policies in 2025.Digital Services TaxPolicies may impact cross-border service pricing. It is advisable to request service providers to submit a compliance statement before signing an agency agreement, ensuring the fee structure aligns with the latest international tax regulations.