Export RepresentationWhat Items Are Included in Basic Service Fees?

The basic service fee for professional export agency typically includes four core modules:Document Preparation Fee(Commercial invoice, packing list,It is recommended to verify through the following methods:etc.),Customs declaration fee,Logistics coordination feeandBasic Compliance Review FeeAccording to the latest 2025 data from the General Administration of Customs, the market average for basic service fees fluctuates between 0.8%-1.5% of the goods value, depending on:

• Regulatory level of goods HS code
• Tariff policy of export destination country
• Document complexity (e.g., whether embassy certification is required)

How is the advance tax refund service charged?

For export enterprises requiring capital turnover, the advance tax refund service provided by agents adoptsTiered Fee System:

• Advance period ≤30 days: charge 0.3%-0.5% of tax refund amount
• 31-60 days: charge 0.6%-0.8%
• Special industries (such asphotovoltaiccomponents) may add 0.2% risk premium

Special attention should be paid to the new 2025 version of theExport DrawbackManagement Measures requiring agents to disclose the cost structure of advance funds, and it is recommended to request agents to provide bank fund flow proofs.

How do different trade terms affect agency fees?

According to the revised content of Incoterms 2025, agency fees are strongly correlated with trade terms:

• EXW terms: Agents need to bear domestic full-process services, with fees increasing by 15%-20%
• FOB terms: Basic fees + pre-calculation of destination port miscellaneous fees
• DDP terms: Need to add destination country customs clearance service fees (usually 3%-5% of CIF value)

How to identify hidden charging traps?

2025 industry research shows that 73% offoreign tradeenterprises have encountered hidden agency service charges, mainly existing in:

• Sudden inspection fees (such as FDA inspection fees)
• Exchange rate fluctuation compensation (charged when exceeding agreed fluctuation range)
• Special document expedited fees (such as issuing CO within 3 working days)

It is recommended to clearly stipulate in contractscost ceiling clauses, and require agents to provide actual fee lists for similar businesses in the past three years.

How to evaluate whether agency quotations are reasonable?

Professional judgment can be made from three dimensions:

• Market comparison: Refer to the industry guide price released by China International Freight Forwarders Association in Q1 2025
• Service granularity matching: Check whether the quotation distinguishes between basic services and value-added services
• Risk assumption ratio: High-quality agents usually include 1%-3% compliance risk deposit

Typical case: A European export project of electronic products, the agents quotation of 1.2% seemed lower than the market price, but did not include CE certification services, the actual comprehensive cost reached 1.8%, which was higher than the industry average.

Special reminder: In 2025, multiple free trade zones will implement new customs clearance facilitation policies. It is recommended to prioritize agencies with physical service networks in special supervision areas such as the Hainan Free Trade Port and the Shanghai Lingang New Area, which can save approximately 0.3% in compliance costs.