The responsible party for third-party export agency costs is usually clearly agreed upon between the principal and the agent in the export agency agreement. Generally, the agency fee is a service payment from the principal to the agent as compensation for providing export-related services, so this cost is naturally borne by the principal.
Customs clearance fees, which are incurred to complete the export customs procedures, are also mostly borne by the principal since the agent is entrusted to handle the export customs clearance. As for transportation fees, if the principal and the agent agree that the agent is responsible for transportation, the transportation fee may be included in the agency fee and borne by the principal. If the principal arranges transportation independently, the transportation fee will be paid directly by the principal to the transportation company.
The general principle is to clarify the rights and obligations of both parties and allocate costs according to the agreement to avoid subsequent disputes.
Professional consultant answers
James LiuYears of service：10Customer Rating：5.0
Foreign trade tax refund consultantConsult
The responsible party for third-party export agency costs is usually clearly agreed upon between the principal and the agent in the export agency agreement. Generally, the agency fee is a service payment from the principal to the agent as compensation for providing export-related services, so this cost is naturally borne by the principal.
Customs clearance fees, which are incurred to complete the export customs procedures, are also mostly borne by the principal since the agent is entrusted to handle the export customs clearance. As for transportation fees, if the principal and the agent agree that the agent is responsible for transportation, the transportation fee may be included in the agency fee and borne by the principal. If the principal arranges transportation independently, the transportation fee will be paid directly by the principal to the transportation company.
The general principle is to clarify the rights and obligations of both parties and allocate costs according to the agreement to avoid subsequent disputes.
David LiYears of service：6Customer Rating：5.0
Senior customs declaration consultantConsult
It is common for the principal to bear most of the costs because the agent mainly provides agency services, while the principal remains the actual entity conducting the export business. Costs closely related to export, such as customs clearance and transportation, are mostly borne by the principal.
Jennifer WangYears of service：4Customer Rating：5.0
Market development consultantConsult
This depends on the negotiation during the agency cooperation. If the principal pushes for a lower price, the agent might share part of the costs, though this is relatively rare.
Michelle ChenYears of service：3Customer Rating：5.0
Business coordination consultantConsult
The agency fee is definitely borne by the principal. As for other miscellaneous fees, such as terminal handling charges, they can be negotiated to be shared proportionally, depending on the bargaining power of both parties.
Andrew HuangYears of service：7Customer Rating：5.0
Supply chain optimization expertConsult
If the agent is responsible for arranging transportation through a freight forwarder, the principal will pay the agent for this cost. If the principal has its own freight forwarder, the transportation fee will be paid directly by the principal.
Amanda YangYears of service：3Customer Rating：5.0
Cost control consultantConsult
Insurance fees may also be involved. Generally, the party responsible for purchasing insurance bears the cost, and in most cases, the principal requests the agent to purchase insurance on their behalf, with the cost borne by the principal.
Sarah ZhangYears of service：8Customer Rating：5.0
Document expertConsult
Small fees like documentation fees are mostly borne by the principal, but if the agent wants to facilitate the cooperation, they may voluntarily share part of the costs.
Elizabeth LiYears of service：3Customer Rating：5.0
Compliance and risk managerConsult
Some export agency services involve tax refund handling fees, which are generally paid by the principal to the agent.
Robert ChenYears of service：6Customer Rating：5.0
Customer service consultantConsult
If inspection fees arise during the export process and are caused by the agent's error, the agent may share part of the cost. Under normal circumstances, the principal bears the cost.