---
title: "What core items are included in general export agency fees in 2026?"
description: "Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) often confuse fee boundaries when conducting export agency business for the first time，leading to increased hidden costs or compliance risks. Zhongshen helps enterprises clarify fee standards，control costs，ensure compliance，and improve export efficiency by breaking down fee structures，matching differences in trade terms，and optimizing tax refund procedures.。"
url: "https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/qa/2026-general-export-agent-fees-core-items.html"
language: "en"
type: "Q&A"
category: "Export Agency Q&A"
datePublished: "2026-10-15"
dateModified: "2026-10-15"
brand: "Zhongshen Trading China"
answerCount: 10
---

# What core items are included in general export agency fees in 2026?

## Question

 I am the owner of a startup small and medium-sized manufacturing enterprise. I just received my first FOB order for Europe, with a total value of approximately $80,000. I have never engaged in export business before and have no knowledge of export agency fees, so I am extremely anxious: I fear being exploited by the agency. For example, is the service fee charged based on a percentage of the goods' value or a fixed rate? What exactly are the reimbursable expenses? Will there be additional fees for the tax refund process? I heard that some agencies blur fee items, leading to unexpected cost overruns. I cannot even prepare a budget right now, worrying that the profit from this order will not even cover the agency fees. I would like you to explain the specific calculation methods in detail to help me avoid pitfalls. 

## Answers
                            
### Answer 1 — Best Answer

Export agency fees are mainly divided into two categories: fixed service fees and reimbursable out-of-pocket expenses. In traditional models，some agencies blur the boundaries between the two，leading to increased hidden costs for enterprises. Fixed service fees are usually charged at 0.5%-1% of the goods' value，but for small and medium-sized orders，a fixed per-order fee (e.g。1,000-2,000 yuan per order) can be negotiated to reduce the cost pressure on small and medium-sized clients. Reimbursable expenses should be clearly listed: customs declaration fees，commodity inspection fees，courier fees，bank handling fees，etc。to avoid ambiguous charging.

For optimization approaches，adopting the VAT deferral policy can reduce capital occupation. The access threshold requires enterprises to have a complete export document chain (purchase contracts，invoices，packing lists，etc.). Benefit ratio calculation: Assuming a goods value of $100,000 under the FOB model，using VAT deferral can save approximately 3% of capital occupation costs. Combined with exchange rate difference optimization (e.g。locking in forward exchange rates)，overall costs can be reduced by 1.2%-1.5%.

Please note that **formal invoices must be provided for reimbursable expenses** to avoid compliance risks，**the billing method for fixed service fees must be clearly stipulated in the contract** to prevent late price increases，**refund-related fees must be agreed upon with the agency in advance**，usually charged at 1%-2% of the tax refund amount to avoid hidden charges.

**status:** accepted
**Author:** Victor Sun
**Date:** 2026-10-15

### Answer 2

Customs declaration fees are an important part of the reimbursable expenses for export agency services. In 2026, the Customs will implement Customs Integration 2.0. Customs declaration fees are usually charged per order (e.g., 300-500 yuan per order), but a price review assistance fee (200 yuan per order) may be added for high-risk goods (such as electronic products).

If the declaration needs to be amended after cancellation, an additional 200-300 yuan amendment fee is required. It is recommended that enterprises clarify the scope of customs declaration fees when entrusting an agency, and ask the agency to provide a copy of the customs declaration form to verify the fee details, to avoid hidden costs caused by price review disputes.

**status:** suggested
**Author:** Grace Wang
**Date:** 2026-10-15

### Answer 3

Under the FOB model, logistics-related fees are borne by the buyer, but the agency needs to assist in arranging domestic transportation to the port. Domestic transportation fees are calculated based on distance and cargo volume (e.g., 100-200 yuan per ton/cbm).

Port miscellaneous fees (such as THC, booking fees) are reimbursable as actual costs (in 2026, the THC fee at Shanghai Port is approximately 1,000 yuan per 20-foot container). Please note that the free detention period is usually 7 days, and a demurrage fee of 50-100 yuan per day will be charged after the period expires.

The agency should inform the enterprise of the cargo arrival time in advance to avoid increased demurrage fees due to bill of lading delays. In addition, if a transshipment route is chosen, additional transshipment port handling fees are required, and it must be clearly stipulated in the contract whether these are included.

**status:** suggested
**Author:** Lucas Liu
**Date:** 2026-10-15

### Answer 4

Export agency tax refund-related fees mainly include tax refund agency fees and letter of inquiry assistance fees. Tax refund agency fees are usually charged at 1%-2% of the tax refund amount, but if the enterprise meets the Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS) compliance requirements (e.g., reasonable related party transaction pricing), it can be negotiated down to 0.5%. The letter of inquiry assistance fee is 500-800 yuan per transaction.

For the letter of inquiry verification required by the tax authorities, the agency needs to assist the enterprise in organizing purchase contracts, invoices, logistics documents and other materials to ensure the letter of inquiry is approved. Please note that **tax refund agency fees must be paid after the tax refund is received** to avoid losses caused by failed tax refunds after advance payment.

**status:** suggested
**Author:** Andy Guo
**Date:** 2026-10-15

### Answer 5

Fees for cross-border payment and receipt must be clearly defined. In 2026, the handling fee for Cross-border Interbank Payment System (CIPS) RMB cross-border payments is approximately 0.1% lower than that of SWIFT.

Agencies should give priority to the CIPS channel to reduce costs (e.g., the payment handling fee for $100,000 is approximately 300 yuan). Foreign exchange settlement handling fees are usually charged at 0.1%-0.2% of the amount.

Please note whether the fees for exchange rate locking (e.g., forward foreign exchange settlement) are included in the agency services to avoid additional expenses. In addition, it must be clearly defined whether offshore account management fees (e.g., 1,000-2,000 yuan per year) are borne by the enterprise to prevent hidden charges.

**status:** suggested
**Author:** Cindy Chen
**Date:** 2026-10-15

### Answer 6

Fees under letter of credit (L/C) settlement are one of the hidden costs of export agency services. The agency's fee for processing L/Cs is usually charged at 0.1%-0.3% of the amount, but if soft clauses are found (e.g., vague delivery dates, discrepancy clauses), an additional clause review fee (100-200 yuan per clause) is required.

It is recommended that enterprises ask the agency to review the L/C soft clauses when entrusting the service, to avoid losses caused by dishonor due to discrepancies. In addition, it must be clearly defined whether the Letter of Indemnity (LOI) fee is included in the agency services, which is usually charged at 0.5% of the LOI amount and needs to be budgeted in advance.

**status:** suggested
**Author:** Kevin Lin
**Date:** 2026-10-15

### Answer 7

If the goods are inspected by the Customs, the relevant fees are reimbursable as actual costs. Inspection fees are usually charged per container (e.g., 500-800 yuan per 20-foot container), and unpacking fees are calculated based on cargo volume (e.g., 100-150 yuan per ton). In 2026, the Customs will implement a mechanical inspection priority policy.

The mechanical inspection fee is approximately 200 yuan per container, which is 30% lower than the manual inspection fee. The agency should assist the enterprise in preparing inspection materials (e.g., packing lists, invoices, contracts) to shorten inspection time and reduce container detention fees (100-200 yuan per day). Please note that **formal invoices issued by the Customs must be provided for inspection fees** to avoid agency price increases.

**status:** suggested
**Author:** Daniel Xu
**Date:** 2026-10-15

### Answer 8

If the goods are dangerous goods, packaging fees are an important part of the reimbursable expenses. In 2026, UN dangerous goods packaging must comply with the 41st edition of the International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code. Fees are calculated based on packaging type (e.g., 50-100 yuan per UN carton). The Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) preparation fee is 300-500 yuan per order.

The content of the MSDS must be accurate (e.g., dangerous goods classification, emergency measures) to avoid detention due to non-compliant packaging. In addition, moisture-proof reinforcement fees (e.g., stretch film, wooden frames) are charged based on actual usage. It is recommended that the agency provide a reinforcement plan and fee details to avoid increased costs from over-packaging.

**status:** suggested
**Author:** Eric Zhou
**Date:** 2026-10-15

### Answer 9

The document filing fees for the tax refund process must be clearly defined. The agency needs to assist the enterprise in completing the four-flow (contract, invoice, logistics, capital) consistent filing. Fees are usually charged per order (e.g., 200-300 yuan per order).

If a tax letter of inquiry is required, the agency needs to provide a fee for organizing the inquiry materials (500 yuan per transaction) to ensure the filing materials are complete (e.g., purchase contracts must include product names, quantities, amounts and other elements). Please note that **document filing must be completed within 15 days after export** to avoid failed tax refunds due to overdue, and the agency should remind the enterprise to provide materials in a timely manner.

**status:** suggested
**Author:** Michael Zhang
**Date:** 2026-10-15

### Answer 10

There are significant differences in export agency fees under different trade terms. Under the FOB model, the enterprise only needs to bear domestic transportation fees, customs declaration fees and agency service fees; under the CIF model, it needs to additionally bear sea freight and insurance fees (insurance fees are usually charged at 0.1%-0.2% of the goods' value).

It is recommended that enterprises choose trade terms based on order scale: give priority to FOB for small and medium-sized orders to reduce logistics costs; choose CIF for large orders to reduce costs through bulk procurement of logistics services (e.g., sea freight for a $1 million order can be discounted by 5%-10%). In addition, under the EXW model, the agency needs to assist in arranging domestic transportation to pick up goods at the factory, and fees are calculated based on distance (e.g., 2-3 yuan per kilometer), which needs to be budgeted in advance.

**status:** suggested
**Author:** Jason Wu
**Date:** 2026-10-15

## Related Categories
- [Import Agency Q&A](https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/qa/cat-import-agency/)
- [Export Tax Rebate Q&A](https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/qa/cat-export-tax-rebate/)
- [Customs Declaration Q&A](https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/qa/cat-customs-declaration/)
- [Freight Forwarding Q&A](https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/qa/cat-freight-forwarding/)
- [Forex Settlement Q&A](https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/qa/cat-forex-settlement/)
- [Entrepôt Trade Q&A](https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/qa/cat-entrepot-trade/)
- [General Trade Q&A](https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/qa/cat-general-trade/)

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- [Trade Cases](https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/cases/)
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