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