How should the fee be paid?

2025Enterprises can choose from the following three mainstream payment methods:

• TelegraphicTransfer(T/T):SuitableforregularpaymentsunderUSD50,000pertransaction,completecustomsdeclarationandproformainvoicearerequired.
• (L/C):Forlargetransactions,itisrecommendedtochooseaSWIFT-certifiedbanktoissueatransferableletterofcredit.
• :Suitableforsmall-valueorders.:Theemergingcompliancechannelsrequireconfirmationthattheplatformholdsacross-borderpaymentlicense(suchasthesixpilotinstitutionsnewlyapprovedin2025).

How should the schedule for paying the agency fee be arranged?

It is recommended to adoptThe "3322" installment payment method:

• 30%advancepaymentshallbemadeafterthecontractissigned.
• Pay30%progresspaymentbeforecargoloadingintothecontainer.
• Pay20%afterthecustomsdeclarationformisreleased.
• Theremaining20%ofthepaymentisdueuponItwillbesettledwithin7workingdaysthereafter.

Please note the new regulations of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange in 2025: For payments of agency fees exceeding $100,000 per transaction,it is required to register in the foreign exchange monitoring system 5 working days in advance.

How is the agency service fee calculated?

The cost structure of a formal agency typically includes:

• Basicservicefee:Itischargedat0.8%-1.5%ofthetotalvalueofthegoods(theindustry’sreferencepricein2025).
• • PresentationofL/Cdocuments:800-1500yuanperorder
  • Agencyforexporttaxrebate:5%-8%ofthetaxrebateamount
  :
  • Specialdocumentprocessing:200-500yuanpercopy
  • Expresscustomsclearance:startingfrom1,000yuanpertransaction.
• Risk guarantee：3%-5% of the cargo value (refundable)

What documents are required for paying the agency fee?

• Requireddocuments:
  • Theagencyagreementsignedandsealedbythelegalrepresentativesofbothparties.
  • ProformaInvoice
  • BankForeignExchangeReceiptsandPaymentsDeclarationForm
• Supplementary materials(Depending on the amount):
  • Copyofthecustomsdeclarationform(theelectronicversionof2025alreadyhaslegaleffect)
  • ForeignExchangeReceipt
  • VATSpecialInvoice(6%ModernServiceIndustryTaxRate)

What are the tax risks associated with cross-border payment agency fees?

In 2025,special attention should be paid to the following:

• VATtreatment:Agencyfeesfallundermodernservices,anda6%value-addedtaxmustbewithheldfordomesticpayments.
• Incometaxwithholding:Cross-borderpaymentsaresubjecttoa10%withholdingofcorporateincometax(taxtreatyreliefmayapply).
• Transferpricingrisk:Agencyfeesexceedingindustrystandardsby20%maytriggerataxaudit.

It is recommended to complete before payment.Tax filing(Required by Announcement No.8 of the State Taxation Administration in 2025)

What should I do if there is a dispute over the payment of agency fees?

It is recommended to adopt it in 2025."Three-Step Solution Method":

• Thefirststep:Verifythespecialagreementtermsoftheagencycontract
• Thesecondstep:ApplyformediationthroughtheonlinemediationsystemoftheInternationalTradeArbitrationCommission.
• Stepthree::SubmitadisputerecordtotheGeneralAdministrationofCustoms12360ServicePlatform.

It is recommended to retain the complete version.Payment Voucher Chain(including electronic evidence such as chat logs,email correspondence,etc.)

What are the new changes in the payment of agency fees in the 2025 era?

• ForeignExchangeDeclarationUpgrade:Allagencyfeesmustbereportedsimultaneouslyuponpayment."Cross-BorderServiceTradeCode"
• Digitalcurrencypilot:TheGuangdong-HongKong-MacaoGreaterBayAreaallowstheuseofdigitalyuanforpayingagencyfees.
• Creditevaluationsystem：AgencyfeepaymentrecordsareincludedintheAEOcertificationscoringitemsbycustoms.

It is recommended that enterprises log in quarterly."Single Window"The system verifies the filing status of payment records.

How to Choose a Compliant Payment Channel for Agency Fees?

In 2025,the following three secure channels are recommended:

• Bank-specificservices:BankofChina’s"Cross-bordere-DocumentService"supportsautomaticverificationofagencyfees.
• Licensedpaymentinstitution:Checkwhetherithasbeenissuedbythecentralbank"Cross-borderPaymentBusinessLicense"
• Supplychainfinanceplatform:Eligibleapplicantsmayapplyforagencyfeefinancing(annualinterestratestartingfrom3.85%).

Special Note: Collecting agency fees through personal accounts constitutesCriminal offense(Article 47 of the newly revised "Foreign Exchange Administration Regulations" in 2025)