How many percentage points are usually added for import agency? Do any friends here know about it?
Our company plans to find an import agency to handle the import of some goods. We haven't been involved in this aspect before. I'd like to ask everyone how many percentage points are usually added for import agency? How are these points determined? Will there be differences due to different types of imported goods? If the import volume is relatively large, can the points be negotiated to be lower? I hope friends with experience can share some insights so that I can have a clear idea.












Professional consultant answers
David LiYears of service:6Customer Rating:5.0
Senior customs declaration consultantConsult
There is no fixed standard for the percentage points added by import agencies, usually ranging from 1% to 5%. It mainly depends on the following factors: First, it's the types of goods. For example, for the import agency of ordinary daily necessities, the competition is relatively fierce, and the added points may be 1% - 2%. If it's high-value or specially supervised products, such as precision instruments, pharmaceuticals, etc., due to the high difficulty and risk of operation, the added points may reach 3% - 5%. Second, the import volume also has an impact. When the volume is large, the agency company may appropriately reduce the points for the sake of long-term cooperation and scale benefits, such as reducing from 3% to 2%. In addition, the service content is also crucial. If the agency is only responsible for basic customs declaration and clearance, the added points will be relatively low; if it includes one-stop services such as transportation, warehousing, and foreign exchange settlement, the added points will be higher.
In conclusion, it needs to be determined through comprehensive negotiation with the agency company in multiple aspects.
Sarah ZhangYears of service:8Customer Rating:5.0
Document expertConsult
Generally, it's commonly 2 - 3 percentage points. However, if the import volume is extremely large, by having a good negotiation with the agency company, it might be possible to reduce it to around 1.5 percentage points.
Joseph ZhouYears of service:10Customer Rating:5.0
Senior foreign trade managerConsult
For the import agency of food products, due to involving complex procedures such as inspection and quarantine, the points may be relatively high, probably 3 - 4 percentage points.
Jennifer WangYears of service:4Customer Rating:5.0
Market development consultantConsult
I think the cooperative relationship with the agency company also has an impact. If it's a long-term cooperation, the added points may be more favorable, which can be 0.5 - 1 percentage point less than the first cooperation.
Robert ChenYears of service:6Customer Rating:5.0
Customer service consultantConsult
If the market price of the imported goods fluctuates greatly and the agency bears a high risk, the added points will also be high, probably 4 - 5 percentage points.
Elizabeth LiYears of service:3Customer Rating:5.0
Compliance and risk managerConsult
In coastal areas where logistics are developed and the competition among agencies is fierce, the added points will be relatively lower than those in inland areas. The inland areas may be 0.5 - 1 percentage point higher than the coastal areas.
William YangYears of service:5Customer Rating:5.0
International logistics consultantConsult
For the import agency of simple goods, maybe 1 - 1.5 percentage points will be enough. It's hard to say for more complex ones.
James LiuYears of service:10Customer Rating:5.0
Foreign trade tax refund consultantConsult
I heard that some agencies will adjust the added points according to the value of the goods. For goods with a low value, the added points may be higher, while for those with a high value, they will be relatively lower.
Andrew HuangYears of service:7Customer Rating:5.0
Supply chain optimization expertConsult
If the agency company can get preferential treatment from transportation and other links, the added points may also be appropriately reduced. It depends on the actual situation.