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What taxes does an export agency company generally need to pay?

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I’m planning to establish an export agency company recently and don’t know much about taxation. I’d like to know what taxes an export agency company needs to pay during daily operations. I hope someone familiar with this topic can explain it to me in detail, preferably covering the scope of taxation, tax rates, and other relevant information for each type of tax. Thank you!

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Professional consultant answers

Amanda Yang
Amanda YangYears of service:3Customer Rating:5.0

Cost control consultantConsult

Export agency companies mainly involve taxes such as Value-Added Tax (VAT), Corporate Income Tax, and Stamp Duty.

For VAT, agency export services themselves usually do not require VAT payment. If the agency company self-operates export goods, it may involve export tax refunds or be treated as domestic sales for VAT purposes. For general taxpayers, exported goods are subject to tax refund rates; if treated as domestic sales, VAT is paid at applicable rates such as 13%.

Corporate Income Tax is calculated based on the company’s taxable income, with a standard rate of 25%. Taxable income is determined by subtracting non-taxable income, tax-exempt income, various deductions, and allowable losses carried forward from previous years from the total annual income.

Stamp Duty is paid as a percentage of the contract amount when signing relevant contracts, such as sales contracts, which are subject to a 0.3‰ stamp duty rate.

Michelle Chen
Michelle ChenYears of service:3Customer Rating:5.0

Business coordination consultantConsult

In addition to the above, Urban Maintenance and Construction Tax, Education Surcharge, and Local Education Surcharge may also apply. These are calculated based on the actual VAT paid. The Urban Maintenance and Construction Tax rate is 7% in urban areas, 5% in counties and towns, and 1% in other regions. The Education Surcharge rate is 3%, and the Local Education Surcharge rate is generally 2%.

Elizabeth Li
Elizabeth LiYears of service:3Customer Rating:5.0

Compliance and risk managerConsult

If the export agency company owns property, Property Tax is also required. For ad valorem taxation, the tax is calculated at 1.2% of the property’s residual value after a one-time deduction of 10%–30% from the original value. For rental income taxation, the tax rate is 12% of the rental income.

Emily Liu
Emily LiuYears of service:10Customer Rating:5.0

Settlement and payment expertConsult

Land Use Tax may also apply. If the company occupies land within cities, counties, towns, or industrial and mining areas, it must pay Land Use Tax according to the local annual tax amount per square meter. Standards vary by region.

Joseph Zhou
Joseph ZhouYears of service:10Customer Rating:5.0

Senior foreign trade managerConsult

If the export agency company owns vehicles, Vehicle and Vessel Tax is required. The tax amount varies based on vehicle type and engine displacement. For passenger vehicles, the tax ranges from several hundred to several thousand yuan depending on displacement.

David Li
David LiYears of service:6Customer Rating:5.0

Senior customs declaration consultantConsult

Additionally, for specific products involved in import and export, Consumption Tax may apply. For example, when exporting high-end cosmetics, tobacco, alcohol, or other taxable consumer goods, Consumption Tax must be paid according to regulations, with rates varying by product.

Andrew Huang
Andrew HuangYears of service:7Customer Rating:5.0

Supply chain optimization expertConsult

Although Customs Duty is generally paid by importers, export agency companies involved in special operations, such as bonded zone-related businesses, may also deal with Customs Duty. However, specific rates depend on the goods and relevant policies.

William Yang
William YangYears of service:5Customer Rating:5.0

International logistics consultantConsult

Withholding tax should not be overlooked. If the export agency company pays fees to overseas enterprises, it may need to withhold and remit Corporate Income Tax, VAT, or other related taxes, as per relevant tax treaties and domestic tax laws.

James Liu
James LiuYears of service:10Customer Rating:5.0

Foreign trade tax refund consultantConsult

Disability Employment Security Fund is another consideration. If the export agency company fails to employ disabled workers as required, it must pay the fund, calculated based on the shortfall in the required employment ratio multiplied by the average annual salary of employees.

Jennifer Wang
Jennifer WangYears of service:4Customer Rating:5.0

Market development consultantConsult

For Cultural Construction Fees, if the export agency company engages in advertising agency services, it must pay the fee at a rate of 3% of the advertising service revenue.

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