What are the tricks in the fees for imported food agency? Come and learn about it!
I recently plan to do business in imported food and want to find an agency to help, but I'm not quite clear about how the imported food agency charges. Are there any friends who know about this and can tell me? Is the charge based on a fixed amount, the proportion of the cargo value, or are there other charging methods? Besides the basic agency fee, will there be some hidden fees? I hope everyone can talk about it in detail so that I can have a clear idea and avoid pitfalls.












Professional consultant answers
Jennifer WangYears of service:4Customer Rating:5.0
Market development consultantConsult
There are various charging methods for imported food agencies. One common way is to charge a certain proportion of the cargo value. The proportion is usually around 1% - 5%, depending on the type of food, the quantity of goods, and the complexity of the agency service. For example, for some common snack foods, the agency proportion may be lower; while for special categories like high - end red wine, due to more complex inspection and quarantine, etc., the proportion will be higher.
Another way is to charge a fixed fee per order, generally 2000 - 5000 yuan per order, which is suitable for businesses with small quantities of goods and relatively simple processes. There is also charging by service item, such as separate billing for customs declaration fees, warehousing fees, logistics fees, etc. Besides the basic agency fee, there may be document fees, terminal miscellaneous fees, etc., but regular agencies will clearly inform in advance. When choosing an agency, one should comprehensively consider the rationality of its charges and the quality of its services, and compare several agencies.
Joseph ZhouYears of service:10Customer Rating:5.0
Senior foreign trade managerConsult
Some imported food agencies will charge an operation fee, which covers a series of operations after the goods arrive at the port, such as document exchange, inspection and customs declaration processes. The fee is probably several hundred to over a thousand yuan.
James LiuYears of service:10Customer Rating:5.0
Foreign trade tax refund consultantConsult
If the design and review of food labels are involved, there will also be fees. The design and review fee for an ordinary label may be 1000 - 3000 yuan, and it may be higher for a complex one.
William YangYears of service:5Customer Rating:5.0
International logistics consultantConsult
In terms of transportation, if the agency is responsible for transportation, it will charge according to the transportation distance and transportation method (sea freight, air freight, etc.). Sea freight is relatively cheaper and is charged according to the type of container and the voyage; air freight is charged according to weight and volume.
Amanda YangYears of service:3Customer Rating:5.0
Cost control consultantConsult
Warehousing fees are also one item. Generally, it is charged according to the storage time of the goods and the occupied space, such as how much per cubic meter per day. The specific amount varies depending on the location of the warehouse and the market situation.
David LiYears of service:6Customer Rating:5.0
Senior customs declaration consultantConsult
Some agencies also charge an expedite fee. If the customer requests to speed up the handling of certain procedures, such as expedited customs declaration, a certain expedite fee will be charged.
Michelle ChenYears of service:3Customer Rating:5.0
Business coordination consultantConsult
There may also be inspection fees. If the goods are randomly inspected by the customs and the agency helps to handle the inspection matters, a corresponding inspection service fee will be charged.
Elizabeth LiYears of service:3Customer Rating:5.0
Compliance and risk managerConsult
Some value - added services provided by agencies, such as market research, marketing planning, etc., will also be charged separately, and the charging standard depends on the service content.
Robert ChenYears of service:6Customer Rating:5.0
Customer service consultantConsult
There may be a handling fee for paying taxes on behalf. When the agency helps to pay the tariffs, value - added taxes, etc. of imported food, it will charge a certain handling fee.