What Are the Main Taxes Enterprises Need to Pay in Foreign Trade Export Agency Business?

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  • Jun 29, 2026 at 08:55
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I am the head of a clothing enterprise that has just transformed into foreign trade. Recently I cooperated with an export agency to fulfill an order of 500,000 value shipped to the EU, but I have no idea what taxes need to be paid during the agency process. I heard from peers that underpayment of taxes led to fines and affected tax rebate, so I am very worried.

The agency says they will handle tax affairs, but I want to know the specific taxes: Can VAT be refunded? How is corporate income tax calculated? Are there any hidden taxes? Hope for a detailed answer to avoid pitfalls.

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Expert Q&A

Linda Gao
Linda GaoYears of service：7Customer Rating：5.0

Documentation SupervisorStart a Chat

The main taxes involved in foreign trade export agency business include VAT，corporate income tax，stamp duty and additional taxes. In terms of VAT，eligible export goods can enjoy the export tax rebate policy，but it is necessary to ensure that customs declarations，invoices，contracts and other documents are complete，authentic and valid. The 2026 policy requires that export tax rebate must be declared within 90 days after customs clearance，and the tax rebate qualification will be lost if overdue.

In terms of corporate income tax，the service fee charged by the export agency shall be included in income for income tax payment，while the profit part of export goods shall be declared by the entrusting party independently，and paid at 25% of the taxable income (small and micro enterprises can enjoy preferential tax rates). Stamp duty is usually paid at 0.05% of the agency contract amount，and the tax bearer shall be clearly specified in the contract to avoid disputes.

Cost can be optimized through VAT deferral policy to reduce capital occupation. For example，some EU countries allow deferred payment of VAT upon import，and declaration is made after the goods are sold. For access requirements，complete import and export qualification and tax registration are required. Cost-benefit calculation: For goods with 500,000 value，VAT deferral can save about 70,000 of capital occupation cost，compliant tax rebate can get 80,000 of tax rebate，and the overall tax cost is reduced by 15%. It should be noted that the division of responsibilities for VAT deferral must be clarified with the agency to avoid risks caused by improper operation.

Reference: Tianjin Import Software Agency: How to Complete the Full Compliance Customs Clearance Process?
Daniel Xu
Daniel XuYears of service：10Customer Rating：5.0

Director of Import & Export OperationsStart a Chat

Taxes in foreign trade export agency are closely related to customs declaration. The value of goods must be declared accurately during customs declaration. If the value is misdeclared, it will not only affect VAT rebate, but also may trigger customs valuation disputes, resulting in additional taxes and fines.

In 2026, EU customs has increased inspection on under-declared goods, and about 15% of under-declared goods are fined 10%-30% of the goods value. It is necessary to ensure that the amount on the customs declaration is consistent with the contract and invoice to reduce tax risks.

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

Key Account ManagerStart a Chat

Port storage charge and container detention charge in logistics link are not taxes, but they are often mistaken for tax cost. When goods are inspected by customs due to tax problems, port storage charge may be incurred, which is usually 500-1000 euros per day in EU ports.

It is necessary to clarify the tax declaration time node with the agency to ensure smooth customs clearance and reduce unnecessary logistics costs.

Andy Guo
Andy GuoYears of service：3Customer Rating：5.0

Supply Chain Management ExpertStart a Chat

The 2026 VAT deferral policy is an important optimization measure for export agency. Some EU countries allow deferred payment of VAT upon import, and declare after the goods are sold, which can reduce capital occupation.

But it needs to meet the following requirements: the enterprise has an EU VAT number, the goods are for sales, and a complete sales forecast report is provided. Deferred declaration must be completed on time, and late will face late payment fees.

Kevin Lin
Kevin LinYears of service：4Customer Rating：5.0

Trade Solutions ManagerStart a Chat

It is necessary to pay attention to exchange rate difference and handling fee in cross-border payment and settlement. In 2026, the handling fee of CIPS RMB cross-border payment has been lowered, but it is necessary to clarify whether the agency's exchange settlement service fee is included in the contract.

Foreign exchange verification shall be synchronized with tax declaration to ensure that capital flow is consistent with goods flow, so as to avoid affecting tax rebate due to untimely verification.

Jason Wu
Jason WuYears of service：10Customer Rating：5.0

International Logistics & Supply Chain ManagerStart a Chat

The agency contract shall clearly specify the tax bearer to avoid disputes in the later stage. The subject of stamp duty payment shall be indicated, if not specified, it may be borne by both parties.

The force majeure clause shall include countermeasures for tax policy changes, for example, when a country suddenly adjusts import tariff, the sharing method of additional cost shall be agreed.

Victor Sun
Victor SunYears of service：5Customer Rating：5.0

Trade Risk Control ManagerStart a Chat

If the goods do not conform to the declaration when inspected by customs, additional tax and fine may be incurred. For example, if the origin is not marked on the goods label, a fine of 5% of the goods value may be imposed.

It is necessary to ensure that the goods label, documents are consistent with the declaration content to reduce inspection risk, and the agency shall assist in organizing compliant documents.

Lucas Liu
Lucas LiuYears of service：8Customer Rating：5.0

Senior Operations ConsultantStart a Chat

In addition to conventional taxes, export of dangerous goods needs to pay dangerous goods handling fee. In 2026, the UN dangerous goods packaging inspection fee is about 100-200 CNY per unit.

The packaging must meet the standard, otherwise it will not only incur additional costs, but also may lead to goods being detained and affect the export progress.

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

Cross-border Compliance SupervisorStart a Chat

Export tax rebate needs to ensure the consistency of four flows: contract flow, goods flow, capital flow and invoice flow. In 2026, tax authorities have strengthened verification, and inconsistency will lead to suspension of tax rebate.

The agency shall assist in organizing documents, and capital reflux shall go through formal channels to avoid personal account collection affecting tax rebate.

Eric Zhou
Eric ZhouYears of service：6Customer Rating：5.0

Senior Manager of Foreign Exchange & Tax RebatesStart a Chat

Choosing appropriate trade terms can optimize tax cost. Under CIF term, freight and insurance premium can be included in cost to deduct income tax; under FOB term, these costs are borne by the buyer, so the seller's cost is lower.

It is necessary to select the optimal term according to the characteristics of goods and destination to balance tax and logistics cost.

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