1. How exactly is the agency export service fee calculated?

The calculation of export agency service fees is primarily divided into three models:

• Fixed percentage fee: Charged at 0.8%-1.5% of the export amount (mainstream market rate in 2025).
• Tiered pricing:
  • Below $1 million: 1.2%
  • $1-5 million: 0.9%
  • Over $5 million: 0.6%
• Hybrid pricing model: Basic service fee + Special service surcharge (e.g., hazardous goods customs clearance, special document handling)

The 2024 financial report of a Fortune 500 company shows that its agency export service fee expenditure accounts for 0.95% of the total export volume, which can serve as an industry reference benchmark.

2. What are the hidden costs besides the service fee?

The actual cost composition of export agency consists of four major modules:

• Basic service fee: Customs declaration, document preparation,A complete export agency agreement should be attached with:The agency company assists the enterprise in handling the foreign exchange receipt verification procedures to ensure the safety of export payments.
• • Presentation of L/C documents: 800 - 1500 yuan per order
  • Agency for export tax rebate: 5% - 8% of the tax rebate amount
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  • Advance payment financing: Annualized interest rate 4.5-6% (floating above the 2025 central bank benchmark interest rate)
  • Export Credit Insurance: 30-50% of the premium as service fee
• Government fees: Customs inspection fee, port fee, inspection and quarantine fee
• Cost of funds：Interest incurred due to tax refund account periods exceeding 30 days

III. How do VAT and tax refunds affect the final cost?

Special attention should be paid to the tax and fee handling involved in export agency:

• VAT treatment: The amount of input tax transferred out by the agent on behalf of the payer must be clearly stated in the contract.
• Export Drawback:
  • Refund processing time: Normally 45 working days.
  • Advance payment of tax refund service fee: 0.3-0.8% of the refund amount
• Exchange Rate Gain and Loss：The exchange loss arising from the time difference between receipt of payment and disbursement shall be subject to an agreed sharing ratio.

IV. How Should Capital Advance Services Be Reasonably Priced?

According to the latest bank acceptance bill discount rate in 2025, reasonable financing costs should include:

• Cost of funds: LPR rate for the same period +1.5-3 percentage points
• Risk premium: An additional 0.5-2% will be charged based on the buyer's credit rating.
• Service fees: 0.2-0.5% of the advance payment amount

A listed agency company disclosed that the average comprehensive cost of its advance funding business in 2024 is 8.7% annualized, including capital costs and service fees.

5. How to Compare the Fee Standards of Different Agency Companies?

It is recommended to adopt the three-dimensional comparison method:

• Cost visibility: Request to provide a complete list of expenses.
• Service Responsiveness: Separate quotation for special requirements (such as customs clearance at the destination port)
• Compliance cost: AEO certification agency's compliance surcharge (typically 0.2-0.3%)

According to the General Administration of Customs 2024 data, enterprises utilizing AEO-certified agents experience an average 37% improvement in customs clearance efficiency and a 52% reduction in compliance risks.

Special Reminder: Three Essential Cost Clauses That Must Be Clearly Defined

• Exchange Rate Lock - in Clause: AgreementFX Settlement AgencyAdjustment mechanism when exchange rate fluctuations exceed ±2%
• Excess profit return clause: Agreement on the distribution of the portion of the tax refund difference exceeding 3%
• Force Majeure Exemption Clause: The party responsible for bearing the additional premium for special risks such as war risk