Our company has a batch of goods to be exported through an agency, but we have no prior experience in this area. Could you tell us how much export agencies usually charge? What are the charging standards? Are there any hidden fees? We hope knowledgeable friends could provide detailed explanations so we can have a clear understanding before negotiating with agency companies.
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Professional consultant answers
Joseph ZhouYears of service：10Customer Rating：5.0
Senior foreign trade managerConsult
Export agency fees usually have no fixed standard. Common charging methods include percentage-based fees (based on cargo value) or per-shipment fees. Percentage-based fees typically range from 1% to 5%, with the exact rate varying depending on factors like product type, trade complexity, and scope of agency services. For example, daily consumer goods may have lower rates, while high-value products requiring special certifications may have higher rates. Per-shipment fees usually range from 1000 to 5000 CNY, also influenced by business difficulty. Reputable agencies like Zhongshitong generally have no hidden fees, with all charges (customs clearance fees, documentation fees, agency fees, etc.) clearly listed in the contract. Before signing, carefully review the contract terms to avoid future disputes.
William YangYears of service：5Customer Rating：5.0
International logistics consultantConsult
The export agency I previously worked with charged 2% of the cargo value, which seemed reasonable, but rates may vary significantly between companies.
Emily LiuYears of service：10Customer Rating：5.0
Settlement and payment expertConsult
Some agencies charge a basic service fee plus an operational fee per shipment. The basic fee is usually several thousand CNY, while the operational fee is a few hundred CNY, depending on the situation.
David LiYears of service：6Customer Rating：5.0
Senior customs declaration consultantConsult
I’ve heard that some agencies adjust fees based on the export destination, with complex markets like Europe and America commanding higher rates.
Robert ChenYears of service：6Customer Rating：5.0
Customer service consultantConsult
Export agency fees also depend on value-added services. If the agency handles complex tasks like tax rebates, the fees may be higher.
Elizabeth LiYears of service：3Customer Rating：5.0
Compliance and risk managerConsult
A friend’s company used an export agency that charged 3% of the cargo value, which seemed acceptable.
James LiuYears of service：10Customer Rating：5.0
Foreign trade tax refund consultantConsult
Per-shipment fees can sometimes be more cost-effective, especially for large batches where percentage-based fees would be higher.
Sarah ZhangYears of service：8Customer Rating：5.0
Document expertConsult
Some agencies use tiered pricing, where higher export amounts result in lower percentage rates.
Michelle ChenYears of service：3Customer Rating：5.0
Business coordination consultantConsult
When choosing an export agency, don’t focus solely on fees—service quality is equally important to avoid bigger losses.