How is the basic service fee for export agency calculated?

In 2025, the basic service fee for export agency mainly includes two billing models:

• Fixed Rate System: Charged at 0.8%-1.5% of the cargo value, suitable for standardized product exports
  • A 0.9% rate is commonly used for electronic products
  • The lowest rate for bulk commodities can be negotiated down to 0.6%
• Tiered pricing: Billed at 1.2% for cargo value under $500,000, with the rate decreasing by 0.1% for every additional $500,000

What value-added services incur extra charges?

Value-added service charges for export agency include:

• Customs clearance service package(200-800 RMB/shipment)
  • Customs declaration pre-review service: 150 RMB/time
  • Special document handling: starting from 300 RMB
• Value-added logistics services
  • Container reinforcement service: 800 RMB/container
  • Temporary warehousing service: 5 RMB/cubic meter/day
• Tax refund agency service: 0.3%-0.8% of the tax refund amount

How do financing costs affect the final quote?

In 2025, with increased two-way fluctuations in the RMB exchange rate, the calculation of agents' financing costs shows new characteristics:

• Interest on capital occupation = Financed amount × Days × (Bank benchmark interest rate + 2%-3%)
• Exchange rate risk deposit is usually required to be 5%-10% of the cargo value
• Forward exchange locking service fee is 0.15%-0.3% of the contract amount

How to identify and avoid hidden fees?

Three types of hidden fees to pay special attention to:

• Document Processing Fee: Proforma invoice?Certificate of Origin?document preparation fees such as
• Abnormal Situation Handling Fees: Demurrage and amendment fees arising from customs inspections
• System usage fee: Some ERP systems charge an access fee of 50-200 RMB/month

2025 Real Quote Case Analysis

Case 1:A machinery parts exporter (cargo value $1.2 million) chose a fixed rate of 1% + value-added service package, total fee = $1.2 million × 1% + ￥5,200 = ￥87,200

Case 2:A clothing exporter (cargo value $350,000) used a tiered rate, total fee = $350,000 × 1.2% + tax refund agency 0.5% = ￥34,300

How to choose the optimal fee plan?

• Customs registration certificateComparison table of expense details
• Focus on comparingthe determination method of theexchange rate conversion base date
• ConfirmMinimum charge threshold(commonly 2000 RMB/shipment)

Authoritative Answers to Common Questions

Q: Does the service fee include bank handling fees?
A: Usually not included, wire transfer fees are charged at cost (mainstream bank charges in 2025 are ￥200/transaction)

Q: Are there extra charges for return and repair?
A: Yes, reverse logistics fees (approx. 1.5 times the forward fee) and a second customs declaration fee will be incurred

Q: How to verify the reasonableness of an agent's quote?
A: You can refer to the "?Foreign trade?Service Fee Guidance Range" issued by the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade in 2025