I.BasicWhat items are included in the service fee?

Agency fees are typically borne byBasic service fee + Value-added service feeComposition.Basic services include:

• Preparationofcustomsdeclarationdocuments(commercialinvoice,packinglist,etc.)
• Customsdeclarationandtaxpaymentagency
• Basiclogisticscoordination(pre-arrivalbasictransportation)
• DocumentFilingManagement(RetentionPeriod:3-5Years)

According to industry data for 2025,the average basic service fee ranges from 0.8% to 1.5% of the total value of the goods,and it can be as low as 0.5% for bulk commodities.It should be noted that.FOB and CIF TermsThe cost composition differs,with the CIF model typically including 3-5 additional services.

2.What factors significantly affect agency fees?

With two decades of hands-on agency experience,we have summarized the key influencing factors:

• Goodsattribute:Hazardouschemicalsincura30%higherservicefeecomparedtogeneralcargo.
• Customsclearancecomplexity:Anadditional20%-50%feeisimposedongoodssubjecttoanti-dumpingduties.
• Transportationmethod:
  • Than15%higheroperatingfee
  • LCLshippingincursanadditional10%documenthandlingfee.
• Payment Cycle: An account period exceeding 60 days may incur a 2%-3% capital occupancy fee.

III.How to Identify Hidden Additional Fees?

It is recommended to focus on verifying three types of clauses in the contract:

• Emergencyhandlingfee:Standardsforinspectingdemurragefeesandamendmentfees
• Exchangeratefluctuationcompensationclause:Willthedifferencebechargedifitexceeds±3%?
• ServiceExtensionFee:Portofdestinationdocumentauthentication,documentreturnmailing,etc.

The newly emerging ones in 2025Digital service package(For example,blockchain evidence preservation) may incur an additional fee of 0.2% of the cargo value.Please clarify whether this is a mandatory purchase.

IV.How to Choose the Billing Model Based on Different Product Value Scales?

Based on the company’s annual export volume,it is recommended to choose:

• Below$5million:Chargedperticket(300-800RMB/ticket)
• $5-20million:Tieredrates(startingfrom1.2%ofthecargovalueanddecreasingprogressively)
• Above$20million:Annualservicepackage(negotiabledownto0.6%-0.8%)

Typical case: An auto parts company with an annual export volume of $18 million signed aAnnual Volume Commitment AgreementSave 27% on agency fees.

5.How to Verify the Reasonableness of Proxy Quotes?

A three-step verification method is recommended:

• Horizontalpricecomparison:Obtainquotesfromatleastthreeleadingagencies.
• Costbreakdown:Pleaseprovideadetailedbreakdownof20+costcomponents.
• Historicaldatacomparison:Retrievepaymentrecordsofenterprisesinthesamecategoryoverthepastthreeyears.

By 2025,AEO-certified enterprises in the customs sector will be able to require their agents to provideCustoms clearance time commitment,Late fees will be charged on a daily basis (typically 0.05% per day).