Export agentWhat items are included in the basic service fee?

The basic service fee for professional export agents typically includes four core modules:Document Preparation Fee(Commercial invoice, packing list,Certificate of Originetc.),Customs declaration fee,Logistics coordination feeandBasic Compliance Review FeeAccording to the latest data from the General Administration of Customs in 2025, the market average price for basic service fees fluctuates between 0.8% and 1.5% of the cargo value, depending on:

• Regulatory level of the goods' HS code
• Tariff policies of the destination country for exports
• Document complexity (e.g., whether embassy certification is required)

How is the financing tax refund service charged?

For export enterprises in need of capital turnover, the agency provides an advance tax refund service that adoptsTiered Fee System:

• The funding period is ≤30 days: A fee of 0.3%-0.5% of the tax refund amount will be charged.
• 31-60 days: charge 0.6%-0.8%
• Special industries (e.g.photovoltaicA 0.2% risk premium may be added to the component.

Special attention should be paid to the new 2025 edition of the "Export tax rebateThe "Management Measures" require agents to publicly disclose the cost structure of advance funding, and it is recommended that agents be required to provide bank transaction records as proof.

How do different trade terms affect the agency fee?

According to the revised content of the Incoterms 2025, agency fees are strongly correlated with trade terms:

• EXW terms: The agent shall be responsible for the entire domestic service process, with costs increasing by 15%-20%.
• FOB terms: Basic cost + Pre-calculation of destination port miscellaneous fees
• DDP terms：Destination country customs clearance service fee must be added (typically 3%-5% of CIF value).

How to identify hidden charging traps?

Industry research in 2025 shows that 73% ofForeign tradeThe company has encountered hidden fees in agency services, primarily in the following areas:

• Sudden commercial inspection fees (e.g., FDA inspection fees)
• Exchange Rate Fluctuation Compensation (charged when exceeding the agreed fluctuation range)
• Expedited fee for special documents (e.g., CO issuance within 3 working days)

It is recommended to clearly stipulate in contractscost ceiling clauses, and request the agent to provide the actual fee list for similar services over the past three years.

How to evaluate whether the agent's quotation is reasonable?

Professional judgment can be conducted from three dimensions:

• Market condition comparison: Refer to the industry guidance price released by the China International Freight Forwarders Association in Q1 2025.
• Service Granularity Matching: Check whether the quotation distinguishes between basic services and value-added services.
• Risk assumption ratio: High-quality proxies typically include a 1%-3% compliance risk deposit.

Typical case: In a project involving the export of electronic products to Europe, the agent's quoted rate of 1.2% appeared lower than the market price, but it did not include CE certification services. The actual comprehensive cost reached 1.8%, which was higher than the industry average.

Special Reminder: In 2025, multiple free trade zones will implement new customs clearance facilitation policies. It is recommended to prioritize agencies with physical service networks in special regulatory areas such as the Hainan Free Trade Port and the Shanghai Lingang New Area, which can save approximately 0.3% in compliance costs.