Does the export agency fee include the ocean freight?
I have a batch of goods to be exported recently and I've found an agency company to help handle the relevant matters. The other party has quoted me the export agency fee, but I'm not quite clear about the composition of this fee. I'd like to ask everyone, does the export agency fee usually include the ocean freight? I'm afraid of disputes over costs when the time comes. It'll be better if I can understand it clearly in advance. I hope some knowledgeable friends can tell me about it. Thank you!












Professional consultant answers
William YangYears of service:5Customer Rating:5.0
International logistics consultantConsult
The export agency fee usually does not include the ocean freight. The export agency fee is mainly the fee charged by the agency company for providing a series of services to exporters, such as handling export customs declaration, inspection application, applying for certificate of origin, and handling relevant documents and other services.
And the ocean freight is the transportation fee charged by the shipping company when the goods are transported by sea. These two are of different natures.
Of course, in actual business, some agency companies may include the ocean freight in a package price and quote it to you in order to provide one-stop services to customers. But at this time, it will be clearly stated that the ocean freight is included, and the price will also be significantly different from the simple export agency fee. So, if the quotation you received is only for the export agency fee, it usually does not cover the ocean freight. Specifically, you still need to communicate with the agency company to confirm and check the cost details.
Robert ChenYears of service:6Customer Rating:5.0
Customer service consultantConsult
Generally not included. The export agency fee is the fee for the agency to handle the export process, and the ocean freight has to be calculated separately. It is the transportation fee charged by the shipping company for the goods.
Joseph ZhouYears of service:10Customer Rating:5.0
Senior foreign trade managerConsult
It is not included. The export agency fee and the ocean freight are two different things. Don't get them confused. You should ask the agency clearly and write down the cost details clearly to avoid disputes.
James LiuYears of service:10Customer Rating:5.0
Foreign trade tax refund consultantConsult
Under normal circumstances, the export agency fee does not involve the ocean freight. The ocean freight is priced and charged by the shipping party according to the weight, volume, etc. of the goods.
Michelle ChenYears of service:3Customer Rating:5.0
Business coordination consultantConsult
The export agency fee does not include the ocean freight. The ocean freight fluctuates greatly and has different accounting bases from the export agency fee.
Jennifer WangYears of service:4Customer Rating:5.0
Market development consultantConsult
The export agency fee and the ocean freight are separated. The ocean freight is determined according to the transportation distance, the situation of the goods, etc.
David LiYears of service:6Customer Rating:5.0
Senior customs declaration consultantConsult
Usually the export agency fee does not cover the ocean freight. The charging entities of the two are different. The agency charges the agency fee and the shipping company charges the ocean freight.
Elizabeth LiYears of service:3Customer Rating:5.0
Compliance and risk managerConsult
Generally speaking, it is not included. The export agency fee is the remuneration for the agency to help handle export affairs, and the ocean freight is the transportation cost.
Andrew HuangYears of service:7Customer Rating:5.0
Supply chain optimization expertConsult
The export agency fee basically does not include the ocean freight. The ocean freight changes according to the situation of the shipping market, while the agency fee is relatively fixed.