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

When cooperating with professional agency companies, the basic fees usually include three core parts:

• Agent Service FeeCharge 0.8% - 1.5% of the cargo value (the average market price in 2025)
• customs clearanceInspection Application FeeFor a single shipment, it is 500 - 2000 yuan (depending on the complexity of the port)
• Cost of Document Processing: Covers the preparation of documents such as certificates of origin and commercial invoices

What hidden costs are easily overlooked?

According to the latest customer case feedback in 2025, the following three expenses are often underestimated:

• Cost of tax rebate advance fundingWhen the agency company pays the tax refund in advance, it may charge a capital occupation fee of 0.3% - 0.5% per month.
• Special documentary feesFor example, the chamber of commerce certification required by Middle Eastern countries (800 - 1500 yuan per copy)
• Abnormal handling feeEmergency expenses such as container detention charges and bill amendment fees incurred from customs inspection

How should the logistics costs be calculated to be reasonable?

The quotation for sea freight agency in 2025 should include:

• Basic ocean freight (note the distinction between FOB/CIF terms)
• Port operation fees (THC/DOC, etc.)
• Bunker Surcharge (fluctuating according to the SCFI index)
• Special Container Type Surcharge (Reefer Container/Flat Rack Container, etc.)

What are the special cost requirements in different countries?

• EU countries: Declaration Fee for Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM)
• USAAnti - dumping Margin (Specific Categories)
• Middle Eastern countriesHalal Certification Service Fee
• African countriesCOC Certification Testing Fee

How to avoid overpaying agency fees?

It is recommended to adopt the "three checks and three inquiries" strategy:

• Check the detailed expense list (itemized quotation is required)
• Check historical payment vouchers (compare with market conditions)
• Check the contract exemption clauses (clarify the division of responsibilities)
• Ask about the exchange rate settlement method (lock in the time point of foreign exchange settlement)
• Ask about the exception handling process (fees agreed in advance)
• Ask about the value - added service content (to avoid duplicate charges)

What are the cost changes in emerging markets in 2025?

According to the latest data from the General Administration of Customs:

• The electronic origin certificates of RCEP member states enjoy a 50% reduction in certification fees.
• Southeast Asian countries have added the obligation to declare the Digital Service Tax (DST)
• Customs in Latin American countries have launched an AI inspection system and increased the data declaration fee.

How to resolve cost disputes in actual cases?

Case 1: There was a dispute over a CBAM declaration fee of 20,000 yuan for a certain lighting fixture exported to the EU. After checking the contract terms, it was found that the agency company had fulfilled its obligation to inform, and ultimately the cost was borne by the customer.

Case 2: The goods exported to Saudi Arabia were returned due to the lack of SASO certification. The agency company failed to inform about the certification requirements in advance and shall bear 70% of the losses as stipulated in the contract.

Professional Advice: Three Key Points in Cost Negotiation

• The stepped service rate is required (the higher the value of the goods, the lower the rate)
• Agree on the sharing ratio of exchange rate fluctuation risks
• Clarify the minimum charge standard and the capped amount