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Who should bear the import agency fees?

NO.20251004*****

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I recently plan to import a batch of goods and have found an import agency company. But I'm a bit confused about the cost bearing. I don't know who on earth should bear these import agency fees. Is it me as the importer, the supplier, or are there other ways of sharing? I hope someone who knows the ropes can tell me whether there are any industry practices in this regard, or whether it all has to be determined through negotiation between the two parties?

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Professional consultant answers

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

International logistics consultantConsult

The responsible party for import agency fees usually needs to be determined according to the import agency agreement and trade terms. Generally speaking, if the EXW term is adopted in the trade contract, it means that the buyer shall bear all costs and risks of transporting the goods from the seller's premises to the expected destination. In this case, the import agency fees are most likely to be borne by the importer. If the DDP term is adopted, the seller shall bear all risks and costs of transporting the goods to the named destination, including the import agency fees.

Of course, in actual business, the cost bearing is often determined through negotiation between the two parties. For example, if the importer is highly familiar with the goods import process and can better control costs, it may negotiate with the supplier to bear part or all of the import agency fees in order to strive for a more favorable goods price. In short, there is no absolutely fixed responsible party, and it should be determined according to the specific situation.

Robert Chen
Robert ChenYears of service:6Customer Rating:5.0

Customer service consultantConsult

In most cases, if the trade terms do not clearly specify, the import agency fees are borne by the importer. Because the importer seeks agency services to complete a series of procedures such as goods import and customs clearance, it is reasonable that the importer should pay the fees.

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

Cost control consultantConsult

If the supplier wants to expand the market and improve product competitiveness, it may take the initiative to bear the import agency fees to attract the importer to purchase, which is quite common when exploring some emerging markets.

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

Senior customs declaration consultantConsult

Sometimes it is determined according to the negotiation ability of the two parties. If the importer has a large purchase volume and strong bargaining power, it may be able to get the supplier to share part of the import agency fees.

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

Supply chain optimization expertConsult

According to international trade practices, if common terms such as FOB and CIF are adopted, the import agency fees are generally borne by the importer, but ultimately it still depends on the negotiation between the two parties.

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

Foreign trade tax refund consultantConsult

If the import agent is recommended by the supplier, in order to ensure service quality, the supplier may be willing to bear part of the import agency fees.

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

Senior foreign trade managerConsult

When the imported goods are of special categories and require special import procedures, if the supplier is more familiar with the relevant operations, it may bear the import agency fees.

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

Business coordination consultantConsult

If the importer and the supplier have long-term cooperation and a good relationship, the two parties may jointly negotiate to share the import agency fees to maintain the cooperative relationship.

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

Compliance and risk managerConsult

In some urgent import demands, if the importer urgently needs the goods and wants to complete the import process as soon as possible, it may bear all the import agency fees by itself.

The relevant questions or replies only represent the user’s personal stance and do not represent any views of this website.

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