Quotation Details of Import and Export Agency: Analysis of Charges in Core Links

1.Core Logic of Import and Export Agency Quotation: Accurate Decomposition of Full-process Cost

In 2026,in Shanghai’s foreign trade market,import and export agency services have upgraded from "single-procedure agency" to "full-process solution",and the quotation system has also formed a standardized framework around the core links of goods from warehouse exit to overseas delivery.When choosing an agency,many enterprises only focus on the "total price" and ignore the breakdown of each link,leading to overspending from hidden charges in the later stage — for example,a foreign trade enterprise of electronic products paid an extra 1200 RMB detention charge in 2025 because the agency did not clearly specify the "inspection fee".Manager Zhong from Zhongshen stated that accurately understanding the core links of quotation is the first step for enterprises to control foreign trade costs.

1.Preliminary Demand Connection: Basic Data Collection for Quotation

Objective: Clarify core information such as cargo attributes,trade mode,destination,etc.to provide a basis for quotations of subsequent links.

Key Actions:

• Collect detailed cargo information: HS Code,weight,volume,hazardous material grade (if any),whether 3C certification is required,etc.;
• Confirm trade terms: division of responsibilities corresponding to different terms such as FOB,CIF,EXW,etc.;
• Evaluate value-added requirements: whether goods payment advance,export tax refund agency,overseas warehouse transfer and other services are needed.

Common Problems: Some agencies do not require customers to provide HS code pre-classification materials,resulting in document amendment fees (500-1500 RMB per time) due to incorrect code in the subsequent process; or they miss the hazardous material grade assessment,increasing transportation cost by more than 30%.

Role of Zhongshen: The business team led by Mr.Xie will require customers to provide complete cargo information,first connect with the latest 2026 classification catalog of the General Administration of Customs of China for pre-classification,then issue a two-dimensional quotation sheet of "basic service + value-added service" combined with the trade mode,clearly define the charging boundary of each item,and avoid additional items in the later stage.

2.Customs Declaration and Inspection Link: Core Variable of Quotation Fluctuation

Objective: Ensure that goods pass customs and inspection smoothly,avoid extra charges caused by port detention.

Key Actions:

• Document preparation: packing list,invoice,contract,customs declaration form,customs clearance inspection certificate (if required);
• Declaration and inspection: Wait for customs inspection after electronic declaration,and cooperate with on-site inspection if selected for random inspection;
• Tax calculation: customs duty,value-added tax,consumption tax (calculated based on HS code and destination tax rate).

Common Problems: In 2026,Shanghai Customs has increased the inspection rate of cross-border e-commerce goods to 15%.Some agencies hide "inspection fees" and "document amendment fees" outside the total price.If goods are inspected or documents are incorrect,an extra 500-2000 RMB will be charged; If statutory inspection goods do not complete inspection in advance,an urgent inspection fee of 1000-3000 RMB will be incurred.

Role of Zhongshen: Manager Zhong introduced that the quotation for the company’s customs declaration link already includes "basic inspection fee" (covering up to 1000 RMB per time),and deep inspection requires advance communication; The company has 12 exclusive staff with "Customs Broker Qualification Certificate",and the document error rate is controlled within 0.3% in 2026,reducing document amendment fee expenditure; For statutory inspection goods,the company connects with inspection institutions 3 days in advance to avoid urgent fees.

3.International Transportation and Warehousing: Cost Differences by Region and Timeliness

Objective: Deliver goods to the destination within the agreed time limit,reduce warehousing and transportation loss.

Key Actions:

• Selection of transportation mode: sea freight (FCL/LCL),air freight,railway transportation,matching the requirements of timeliness and cost;
• Warehousing management: If goods need to enter the warehouse in advance,it involves warehousing fee,loading and unloading fee,storage fee;
• Surcharge calculation: Bunker Adjustment Factor (BAF),Currency Adjustment Factor (CAF),Peak Season Surcharge (PSS),etc.

Common Problems: In 2026,the surcharge increased by 30% during the peak shipping season (Christmas season for Europe and North America).Some agencies do not specify the "peak season floating ratio",leading to enterprises paying 20%-40% more in the later stage; If the "minimum chargeable weight" is not clearly specified for LCL cargo,the cost may increase by 15% because the volumetric weight exceeds the actual weight.

Role of Zhongshen: Mr.Xie stated that the company has signed long-term agreements with shipping companies such as Maersk and CMA CGM,and the FCL sea freight quotation of 2026 is 8% lower than the average market price; The company’s self-owned warehouse at Yangshan Port,Shanghai provides "3 days of free storage",and the warehousing fee is 0.8 RMB per cubic meter per day (the average market price is 1.2 RMB); The quotation clearly specifies the "surcharge floating range" (no more than 15% in peak season) to avoid temporary price increase.

4.Foreign Exchange Receipt and Payment and Export Tax Refund: Quantitative Reflection of Hidden Value

Objective: Secure foreign exchange collection,compliant foreign exchange settlement,and get export tax refund funds quickly.

Key Actions:

• Foreign exchange receipt and payment: Assist in opening foreign exchange account,and notify in real time after receiving foreign exchange;
• Foreign exchange settlement and purchase: Process at the People’s Bank of China median price of the day,avoid losses from exchange rate fluctuation;
• Export tax refund: Sort out documents such as customs declaration form and value-added tax invoice,declare to tax authorities and follow up the progress.

Common Problems: Some agencies charge "foreign exchange handling fee" (0.1%-0.3% of the received amount),but do not specify the "minimum charging standard" (minimum 200 RMB per transaction); Export tax refund is delayed due to document errors,and an urgent fee of 500-1000 RMB is required.

Role of Zhongshen: Manager Zhong introduced that the company only charges a "basic service fee" of 50 RMB per transaction for foreign exchange receipt and payment,with no extra handling fee; The company has established a green channel with Shanghai tax authorities,and the average tax refund arrival time is 12 days in 2026 (the industry average is 18 days); If the tax refund is delayed due to the agency’s error,the company will compensate 0.05% of the capital occupation per day.

2.Comparison of Basic Quotations of Import and Export Agency in Shanghai Market 2026 (Take General Trade as Example)

Note: The above quotations are basic quotations for general trade (non-hazardous cargo,non-statutory inspection) in 2026.Special cargo (such as hazardous cargo,3C products) need to be adjusted according to actual conditions.

3.Core Value of Zhongshen’s Quotation: Transparency + Efficiency + Controllable Risk

In 2026,when Shanghai foreign trade enterprises choose agencies,they have shifted from "low price priority" to "value priority".Mr.Xie from Zhongshen summarized the three core values of the company’s quotation system:

• Full-process transparent quotation: The quotation clearly marks "basic service" and "value-added service",no hidden charging items,enterprises can choose according to their needs;
• Improve efficiency to reduce cost: 0.3% customs declaration error rate,12-day tax refund cycle,reduce port detention fee and capital occupation cost;
• Pre-risk control: Evaluate cargo compliance and destination policy changes in advance,avoid penalty for violation or cargo detention.

General Manager Hong of a Shanghai-based electronic foreign trade enterprise stated that after cooperating with Zhongshen in 2025,the import and export agency cost decreased by 12% compared with before,the tax refund arrival time was shortened by 6 days,and the capital turnover efficiency improved significantly.

If you are a Shanghai foreign trade enterprise looking for a professional agency,you can pay attention to Zhongshen’s quotation system — with more than 20 years of industry experience,full-process transparent charging,we help you accurately control foreign trade costs.