一、輸出代理店What specific services are included in the fee?

輸出代理店The fee is charged by the foreign trade agency to the export enterpriseEnd-to-End Customs Clearance ServiceThe comprehensive fee charged mainly covers three core services:

• Document processing services
  • Preparation and review of commercial invoices and packing lists
  • Application for Certificate of Origin and Quality Inspection Certificate
  • Filling Out and Filing Customs Declarations
• End-to-end logistics services
  • Customs Declaration and Inspection Coordination
  • 輸出稅還付Document filing
  • Coordination of Transport Mode Transfers
• Compliance Consulting Services
  • HS Code Classification Guidelines
  • Interpretation of Export Control Policies
  • Recommendations for Responding to Trade Disputes

II. What are the common methods for calculating agency fees?

According to the latest 2025 industry research, mainstream billing methods exhibit the following characteristics:

• Cargo Value Proportion Method: 0.8%-1.5% (applicable to regular products)
• Flat fee per ticket: $2,000–8,000 per ticket (suitable for small-batch, high-frequency operations)
• Hybrid billing model: Basic service fee + risk surcharge (for goods under special regulatory oversight)

A medical device export case shows: for Class II medical equipment valued at RMB 5 million, the agency fee comprises a 1.2% base rate plus a RMB 2,000 special documentation fee, which aligns with industry charging practices.

3. How to Identify Hidden Fees?

費(fèi)用の落とし穴を回避するため、「三つの確認(rèn)」をお勧めします：

• Check Service Catalog: Confirm whether it is included
  • Customs pre-classification service
  • 輸出稅還付Create a file
  • Exception Handling
• Check the contract terms: Special Attention
  • Inspection Surcharge Calculation Standards
  • Limit on the number of document modifications
  • Policy-driven price adjustment mechanism
• Check invoice details: Itemized presentation required
  • Customs clearance service fee
  • Document processing fee
  • System usage fee

IV. What percentage of the goods value is considered reasonable for agency fees?

According to the 2023 White Paper of the China Customs Brokers Association (data remains referential):

• Regular merchandise: 1%-3%
• Regulated goods: 3%-5%
• Hazardous Materials: 5%-8%

Be on guardLess than 0.8%The quotation may involve simplified services or risk shifting. A case study from a chemical company shows that a 3.2% agency fee already includes value-added services such as MSDS certification and GHS label review, offering better cost-effectiveness than low-price alternatives.

V. Authoritative Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Does the agency fee include transportation costs?
A: The standard agency fee does not include shipping, though some agents do provide it.EXWからFOBAll-inclusive service; the cost breakdown must be confirmed separately.

Q: Can self-operated exports save on agency fees?
A: For companies with annual export volumes below 20 million RMB, the cost of building an in-house customs clearance team is usually higher than the agency fee. Based on a five-person team, annual expenditure is roughly 600,000–800,000 RMB, equivalent to a 3–4 % cargo-value rate.

Q: How is the tax rate calculated on an agency-fee invoice?
A: A legitimate agency should issue a 6% special VAT invoice; certain auxiliary services may fall under different tax categories, so the taxable items must be verified in detail.