Home»Logistics» How much does it cost to act as an agent for ocean freight export? These 10 questions must be understood in advance by foreign trade customers.
According to the Administrative Measures for Value - added Tax and Consumption Tax on Exported Goods and Services implemented in 2025, agency export tax rebate needs to meet three conditions simultaneously:?Ocean shipping?What items are included in the basic export costs?
The standard quotation from a professional agency typically includes:
Main body of ocean freight(Billed by container type)
: THC (Terminal Handling Charge), document fee, seal fee, port construction fee, etc. These fees are like Russian nesting dolls. If youre not careful, new charging items will pop up(THC/ORC)
Document Processing Fee(DOC)
Fuel surcharge(BAF)
Currency Adjustment Fee(CAF)
Special attention is required: Starting from 2025, certain ports will begin charging fees.Smart Customs Clearance System Access Fee(Approximately USD15-30 per ticket), which is a newly added digital service fee in recent years.
II. How is the customs declaration service fee calculated?
Mainstream payment methods in 2025:
Per-document fee: RMB300-800 per bill (general cargo)
Some agents may chargePre-classification service fee(HS Code Determination Service), it is recommended to clarify whether this is included before signing the contract.
3. Why is there a 20% difference in quotes from different agents?
The key differences include:
Shipping company contract level:Top agents enjoy preferential shipping rates.
Port agent network:Having overseas branches can reduce operational costs.
Service integration level: The comprehensive quotation including tax refund services is higher.
Payment Term Policy: The price difference between immediate payment and monthly settlement can reach up to 15%.
4. What are the new changes in peak season surcharges?
Additional fee items requiring special attention in 2025:
Congestion Surcharge(PCS) increased to USD800/FEU
War Risk Surcharge(WRS) covers the Red Sea route.
Low-carbon fuel surcharge(LCAF) becomes the new normal
(Expense details corresponding to different terms such as EXW/FOB/DDP, etc.).Explanation of Surcharge Trigger Conditions, to avoid uncontrollable costs.
5. How does the tax refund service affect the overall charges?
Professional agent's tax refund service charging model:
Fixed service fee: 0.5%-1.2% tax refund
Advance payment service fee: Annualized interest rate of 8%-15%
Logistics - related fees:RMB200-500/單
Pay attention to the comparison.Comprehensive cost of capitalSome low-cost agents may impose disguised charges by extending the funding cycle.
6. How to Identify Hidden Fee Traps?
High-frequency hidden fee items in 2025:
Container demurrage charges are 200 - 500 US dollars per day(Modified more than 3 times)
Storage Overtime Fee(Charged daily after the free storage period)