What services are actually included in the agency export fee? How can foreign trade enterprises avoid being overcharged?

What is the total of service items included in the agency export fee?

The agency export fee isforeign tradeService providers offer services to export enterprises.End-to-end trade servicesThe comprehensive fee structure primarily includes:

• Basic service modules:
  • Customs declaration and inspection document processing (accounting for 35-45% of the cost)
  • Logistics and Transportation Coordination (Maritime Transportation/Air TransportationBooking service)
  • Foreign Exchange ReceiptsFX Settlement AgencyOperation
• Value-added service modules:
  • Export DrawbackAdvance payment (risk control costs under the 2025 new regulations)
  • Trade financing services (L/CConfirmation, etc.)
  • Destination country compliance certification (e.g., EU CE certification agency services)

Why can the price quotes from different agents vary by as much as 30%?

According to data from the General Administration of Customs in 2025, the price differences among authorized agents primarily stem from:

• Service Depth Difference: Whether it includes destination port customs clearance services
• Scope of Risk Undertaking: The difference in the tax refund advance payment cycle (the price difference between the 15-day and 90-day plans reaches 18%).
• Level of Informatization: The blockchain customs declaration system can reduce operational costs by 3-5%.
• Special Qualification: AEO-certified enterprises enjoy expedited customs clearance.

How to Identify Hidden Fees in Agency Export Quotations?

Please pay special attention to the following three types of potential costs in the contract:

• Emergency Handling Fee:
  • Customs inspection cooperation fee (single instance: 500-2000 RMB)
  • Document modification expedited fee
• Exchange Rate Fluctuation Compensation (Recommended to Lock in a ±2% Fluctuation Range for 2025)
• Special Cargo Surcharge:
  • Filing fee for dangerous goods transportation
  • Cold chain cargo temperature control record fee

What is the actual cost difference between self-operated exports and agency exports?

Based on calculations for a manufacturing enterprise with an annual export value of $20 million (2025 data):

• Hidden Costs of Self-Operated Exports:
  • Professional team maintenance cost: approximately 850,000 yuan/year
  • System construction cost: Approximately 400,000 yuan for ERP + customs system.
  • Cost of Capital Occupation: The difference in tax refund cycles results in an annual loss of approximately 2.3%.
• Agency export explicit costs: approximately 1.2-1.8% of the goods' value.

5 Key Questions to Ask When Choosing an Export Agent in 2025

• Whether possessingCross-border E-commerce9610/9710 customs clearance qualification?
• How to handle the origin certification under the RCEP agreement?
• Are there any response measures to the EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM)?
• Can you provide a real-time in-transit tracking digital system?
• Does the dispute resolution mechanism include third-party arbitration clauses?

Three principles that must be adhered to when negotiating agency fees:

• Tiered pricing structure: Dynamically adjust rates based on shipment volume.
• Expense Cap Clause: Agreed maximum total annual service fee.
• Performance-based betting mechanism: Linking error rates to fee refunds.

How to verify the true service ability of an agent?

It is recommended to adoptThree-Certificate and Four-Check Method:

• Qualification verification:
  • Customs AEO certification
  • Record - keeping certificate of international freight forwarder
  • (Enterprises of category B and above are in normal status)
• Capability Verification:
  • Please provide the actual customs declaration forms for the past 3 months (with sensitive information redacted).
  • On-site inspection of the response speed of the customs operation system
  • Verify the actual coverage countries of the overseas proxy network.
  • Check bank credit line to confirm financial strength