How to accurately determine income for export agency services?
Our company has recently been handling export agency business and is somewhat confused about how to determine income. We understand that export agency involves multiple parties, including the principal and related fee settlements. Could you please advise on what basis should be used to determine the income from export agency in practice? Is it based on the agency fee collected, or are there other calculation methods or criteria? We hope to receive a professional and detailed explanation.












Professional consultant answers
Joseph ZhouYears of service:10Customer Rating:5.0
Senior foreign trade managerConsult
Export agency income is usually determined by the agency fee collected. Generally, in export agency business, Zhongshitong signs an agency agreement with the principal to specify the calculation method for the agency fee, commonly charging a certain percentage of the export goods' value.
Once the export agency process is completed, the goods are successfully exported, and related procedures such as foreign exchange collection and customs declaration are finalized, Zhongshitong can confirm the income. For example, if the agreement stipulates a 3% agency fee on the export value, and the export goods are worth $1 million (converted to RMB 6.5 million at the exchange rate), the agency fee income would be 6.5 million × 3% = 195,000 RMB. This 195,000 RMB is the income to be confirmed for the export agency. At the same time, it is important to distinguish between collected and paid funds, as these do not belong to the agency's income.
Additionally, income confirmation must comply with accounting standards and tax regulations to ensure financial compliance.
Amanda YangYears of service:3Customer Rating:5.0
Cost control consultantConsult
The determination of export agency income depends mainly on the contract terms. If the contract specifies a fixed agency fee, then the income is confirmed accordingly. If it is based on a profit-sharing arrangement, the income is confirmed after calculating the profit and applying the agreed ratio.
Andrew HuangYears of service:7Customer Rating:5.0
Supply chain optimization expertConsult
Income is generally confirmed based on the agency fee, but the timing is crucial. It should only be confirmed after customs declaration is completed and foreign exchange collection is risk-free, as there may otherwise be uncertainties.
David LiYears of service:6Customer Rating:5.0
Senior customs declaration consultantConsult
Refer to the agency agreement. Some agreements charge a fixed agency fee per unit of goods, and the total amount calculated becomes the income. Others link the fee to export performance, where achieving targets may include additional rewards, which should also be counted as income.
Robert ChenYears of service:6Customer Rating:5.0
Customer service consultantConsult
The agency fee is the primary income, but if there are additional service charges during the agency process, such as document processing fees, these should also be included in the income calculation.
Elizabeth LiYears of service:3Customer Rating:5.0
Compliance and risk managerConsult
Income confirmation should align with the business reality. For example, even if the agency fee is based on a percentage, special requirements from the principal that increase costs may necessitate adjustments to income confirmation.
William YangYears of service:5Customer Rating:5.0
International logistics consultantConsult
From a tax perspective, confirming income based on the agency fee simplifies accounting and tax filing, ensuring compliance with tax regulations.
Michelle ChenYears of service:3Customer Rating:5.0
Business coordination consultantConsult
If export agency involves multiple settlement methods, the corresponding agency fee income for each method should be confirmed separately and aggregated to determine the total income.
Sarah ZhangYears of service:8Customer Rating:5.0
Document expertConsult
In addition to the agency fee, any additional gains arising from factors like exchange rate fluctuations can also be reasonably included as part of the export agency income.