?Export Agency?What basic services are fees usually composed of?

According to the 2025 International Trade Service Standards, the basic export agency fee includes three core modules:

• Document service fee: Covers the review and preparation of more than 20 types of trade documents, including the commercial invoice, packing list, and?Certificate of Origin?等20余種貿(mào)易單據(jù)的審核與制作
• Customs clearance service fees: Includes full-process services such as HS code classification, pre-entry of the customs declaration form, and cooperation with customs inspection
• Fund settlement fee: Involves financial operations such as foreign exchange collection and payment,?Tax Refund?advancement, and cross-border payment handling fees

Are logistics-related fees included in the agency fee?

It should be noted that the standard agency fee usuallydoes not includethe following logistics fees:

• Main international transport freight (sea/air/land)
• Cargo insurance fees
  • Exception: Some all-inclusive agency contracts will integrate transport services
• Destination port customs clearance and miscellaneous fees

How are agency service fees calculated in 2025?

The current mainstream billing methods show three major trends:

• Tiered pricing: Charged at 1.2% for cargo value from $0-500,000, with a decreasing rate for the portion above that
• Mixed billing system: Basic service fee + per-shipment operating fee (e.g., ￥5000 + 0.8% of cargo value)
• Digital package: A "smart export package" launched by a leading agency includes 100 basic services for the whole year

What additional services may incur extra charges?

According to an analysis of industry dispute cases from 2023-2025, special attention should be paid to:

• Expedited service fee (e.g., for issuing a certificate within 24 hours)
• Special document certification (embassy legalization, chamber of commerce certification)
• Response to technical trade measures (e.g., EU EPR compliance service)
• Crisis handling fee (customs detention, trade dispute mediation)

How big is the difference in charges for different trade methods?

It is recommended to adoptThree-tier confirmation method:

• First tier: Request a standard service list (referencing the 2025 version of the ISO 22000 trade service standard)
• Second tier: Confirm the basis for fee calculation (whether priced based on FOB or EXW cargo value)
• Third tier: Specify in writing the handling mechanism for exchange rate fluctuations (it is recommended to use the quarterly average exchange rate of the Bank of China)

How big is the difference in agency fees in different regions?

2025 industry research data shows:

• Average fee rate in the Yangtze River Delta region: 1.05%-1.8% of cargo value
• Average fee rate in the Pearl River Delta region: 0.9%-1.5% of cargo value
• Agents for emerging market special lines (e.g., Africa) generally charge a 3%-5% risk surcharge

It is recommended that cross-border sellers use aregional comparative quotation system. A certain clothing exporter saved 18% on annual agency costs through this method.