What are the main fees charged by the company?

Export agency companies typically adoptBasic Service Fee + Business Operation Fee + Third - Party FeesThe composite charging model:

• Basicservicefees:Includingcoreservicessuchascustomsdeclarationagencyanddocumentreview,theaveragemarketpricein2025isRMB800-2000perinvoice.
• BusinessOperationExpenses:
  • Specialdocumentcertification(e.g.Additionalsignature)RMB150-300percopy
  • Expresscustomsclearancehandlingfee:RMB500-1200perinstance.
• Third-party collection and payment fees:
  • PortTHCfees(thestandardforShenzhenPortin2025isRMB720/20GP)
  • Customsinspectionsiteoccupancyfee:RMB200-500/day.

Why is there such a big difference in quotes from different agencies?

According to the data from the World Trade Organization’s 2024 annual report,the price differences in China’s export agency industry are mainly due to the following factors:

• Differencesinservicedepth:Full-chainserviceprovidersare15-25%moreexpensivethansinglecustomsdeclarationcompanies.
• ScopeofRiskUndertaking:Quotesthatincludecomplianceguaranteestypicallycarryapremiumof8-12%.
• Enterprisequalificationlevels:AEO-certifiedenterpriseschargeaservicefeepremiumofapproximately10%.
• Paymentmethodaffects:Spotsettlementis3-5%cheaperthanpaymentonaccount.

How to identify hidden fee items?

It is recommended to require the agency company to provideComparison table of expense details,pay special attention to the following easily overlooked charges:

• Documentmodificationfee:RMB50-100permodification(newISOdocumentstandardsaddedin2025)
• DataEntryFee:SpecialFormatReportingRMB30-80/field
• Abnormaloperationfee:
  • Temporarycontainerreplacement:RMB300-500
  • Emergencyholidayappointments:RMB800-1500

What expense items will undergo significant changes in 2025?

According to the No.1 Announcement of the General Administration of Customs in 2025,special attention should be paid to the following aspects:

• ElectronicCustomsDeclarationSurcharge:AdditionaldatasecuritycertificationfeeRMB120/ticket
• GreenLogisticsSurcharge:CarbonNeutralTransportCertificationFeeRMB80-150pershipment
• Exchangeratefluctuationreserve:A0.3%riskfeewillbechargedpertransactionsettledinUSD.

How to negotiate service fees with an agency?

Based on 20 years of practical experience,the following negotiation strategies are recommended:

• Steppricingmethod:Adiscountof5-8%canbenegotiatedforannualexportvolumesexceeding100containers.
• costceilingclauses:TheagreedmaximumhandlingfeeperticketshallnotexceedRMB2,500.
• Bundledbargaining:Bundlingnegotiationsforcustomsdeclaration,logistics,andtaxrebatescanreducecostsby10-15%.
• Digitalservicesubstitution:UsingaproxyERPsystemcanreduceservicefeesby3-5%.

Is it more cost-effective to choose a fixed rate or a floating rate?

According to 2025 industry survey data:

• FixedrateSuitablefor:
  • SMEswithamonthlyexportvolumeoffewerthan20containers
  • Companieswithasingleproductcategory
• Floating rateSuitable for:
  • Largeenterpriseswithanannualexportvolumeexceeding500containers.
  • Multinationaltrade-involvedgroupenterprises

It is recommended to require the agency company to provideAnalysis Report on Rate Fluctuations Over the Past Three Years,with a focus on reviewingThe rate increase ratio during the peak season (June to September).