What basic fees need to be paid for export agency services?

When selecting export agency services, five main categories of basic fees are involved:

• Agent Service FeeAgency service fee: Typically charged at 0.8%-3% of export value, varying based on product complexity and value
• customs clearanceInspection Application FeeCustoms clearance fee: Approximately 300-800 RMB per shipment, additional charges for special regulated goods
• Cost of Document ProcessingDocument certification: Including certificate of origin, commercial invoice authentication, etc. (80-300 RMB/item)
• Logistics Operation FeeLogistics fee: Covering booking, container loading, insurance, etc. (0.5%-1.5% of cargo value)
• Bank handling feesPayment settlement fee: Cross-border settlement fees about 0.1%-0.3% (varies significantly by payment method)

What specific services are included in agency service fees?

Standard agency company service fees cover these core processes:

• Full set of export document preparation (commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading, etc.)
• Customs declarationCustoms clearance procedures
• Foreign exchange receipt/settlement and tax filing
• Export tax refundExport tax rebate declaration (if required)
• Basic legal risk consultation

Particular attention is needed:Additional fees apply for special document certification (e.g., embassy authentication), expedited customs clearance, special packaging, etc..

Export tax refundHow are tax rebate services charged?

Under 2025 current policies, export tax rebate agency services mainly adopt two charging models:

• Fixed percentage fee5%-15% of tax rebate amount, suitable for small and medium enterprises
• :
  • For tax rebates below 100,000 RMB: 8%
  • 100,000-500,000: 6%
  • Over 500,000: 4%

Some agents may chargeTax rebate advance fees(Daily interest 0.03%-0.05%), must be clearly stipulated in the contract.

How to calculate logistics costs?

The logistics cost structure for agency exports is complex, mainly including:

• Basic freight: Different liability divisions according to CIF/FOB terms
• Port surcharges: Peak season surcharge (PSS), bunker adjustment factor (BAF), etc.
• Special handling fee:
  • Overweight cargo: +200-500 RMB/ton
  • Dangerous goods transportation: Basic freight ×1.5-3 times
  • Constant temperature storage: 5-8 RMB/cubic meter/day

How to avoid hidden charges?

The following 5 preventive measures are recommended:

• Request to provideExact cost checklist, verify charging standards against HS codes
• Clearly specifyExchange rate fluctuation handling mechanism(Recommended to lock in Bank of Chinas spot selling rate)
• Specify in the contract"No additional charges beyond these terms."as a catch-all provision
• Require advance notification offee adjustments due to policy changes(e.g. EUs new carbon tariff in 2025)
• EstablishedAbnormal cost warning mechanism(Written confirmation required for any single cost exceeding budget by 10%)

FAQ

Q: Can the agency fee be negotiated for a discount?
A: Companies with annual export volumes exceeding 5 million yuan typically qualify for 20-30% discounts, while new clients may negotiate service fee waivers for their first order.

Q: Do sample exports require full payment?
A: For samples valued under $500, most agencies charge a fixed service fee (300-500 yuan).

Q: How do cross-border e-commerce export fees differ?
A: Additional costs include overseas warehouse system integration fees (2000-5000 yuan/year) and platform data declaration fees (0.5 yuan/order).