
輸出代理店What exactly is included in the fee?
According to 2024 survey data from the General Administration of Customs covering 300 foreign trade enterprises,68% of exportersThere is a blind spot in understanding the composition of agency fees. A complete agency fee typically includes:
- Basic service fee:通関core services such as declaration and document review
- Additional Service Fee:
- Certificate of Origin Agency Service (Average 200–500 RMB per copy)
- Hazardous Chemicals Declaration追加料金(0.15%–0.3% of cargo value)
- Third-party fee collection: Port construction fees, THC, and other government charges
What new models are emerging for calculating agency fees in 2025?
With the full entry into force of RCEP, the mainstream billing methods in 2025 are showing three major trends:
- tiered proportional pricing: For annual export volumes below USD 5 million, a fee of 1.2% applies; the portion exceeding USD 5 million is charged at 0.8%.
- Digital Service Package: Package fee including ERP system integration (approximately USD 1,200 per quarter)
- risk-based betting model: 20% service fee refund upon achieving customs clearance timeliness
Which hidden costs are most easily overlooked?
A certain electromechanical export company incurred an additional expenditure of 230,000 yuan in 2024 due to overlooking the following costs:
- Demurrage cost allocation: Demurrage charges due to inspection timeout (80–150 RMB/container/day)
- Amendment fee: HS Code Declaration Error Correction (RMB 500–2,000 per occurrence)
- 為替レートSecurity deposit: A 5% margin of the contract value is required for forward foreign exchange settlement transactions.
How to negotiate fees with an agency?
Drawing on procurement experience from Fortune Global 500 companies, it is recommended to adopt3×3 Negotiation Rule:
- Three Must-Ask Questions:
- Does it include the AEO certification maintenance fee?
- What is the calculation base for the excess premium?
- Annual price adjustment mechanism?
- Three must-contests:
- LCL cargo is priced per cubic meter
- Quarterly settlement cycle extended
- Free trade compliance training provided
What are the new regulations for commission payments in 2025?
Pursuant to State Taxation Administration Announcement No. 1 of 2025, special attention should be paid to:
- Special VAT InvoiceService items must be listed separately
- Foreign exchange paymentA tax payment certificate number must be provided
- Commission expensesFiling is required for amounts exceeding 100,000 RMB
Special Reminder:A furniture export company was ordered to pay an additional RMB 380,000 in taxes in 2024 due to flaws in its agency fee payments; it is recommended to establishtripartite reconciliation mechanism(Enterprise-Agent-Accounting Firm), quarterly audits with full traceability.