--- title: "What Are the Criteria for Calculating Customs Brokerage Fees for Imported Food? What Mandatory and Optional Charge Items Are Included?" description: "New entrants to the imported food business are prone to problems such as ambiguous agency fee calculation and stacked hidden charges，which lead to budget overruns and even trigger port detention risks. It is necessary to break down mandatory and optional agency fee items by product category，cargo volume and clearance channel，clarify core charging standards for customs valuation，inspection declaration and cargo inspection，and lock in hidden charge avoidance schemes in advance to achieve accurate..." url: "https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/qa/imported-food-customs-brokerage-fee-criteria-included-charges.html" language: "en" type: "Q&A" category: "Customs Declaration Q&A" datePublished: "2026-10-15" dateModified: "2026-10-15" brand: "Zhongshen Trading China" answerCount: 10 --- # What Are the Criteria for Calculating Customs Brokerage Fees for Imported Food? What Mandatory and Optional Charge Items Are Included? ## Question I am the procurement lead of a trading company in Shanghai that has just transformed to operate imported snack food business. Last month, I imported a batch of filled rice crackers from Japan for the first time. The initial quote provided by the agency I hired was nearly RMB 3,000 lower than the final settlement amount, which they claimed was for temporarily added urgent inspection fee and document correction fee, without any explicit prior notification! This month, I need to import two 40-foot containers of ambient yogurt from New Zealand. Our company has a very strict budget, and I am extremely anxious about encountering hidden charges that cause cost overruns. I would like to ask how exactly customs brokerage fees for imported food are calculated? Are there clear calculation standards? Which charges are mandatory, and which are optional service items? Will the calculation method vary depending on food category, cargo volume or clearance port? ## Answers ### Answer 1 — Best Answer A common misconception in the industry is that agents only quote basic customs brokerage fees，deliberately hiding hidden charges such as document correction fees，urgent inspection fees，and advance payment service fees for port detention and container demurrage. Many importers fail to verify the breakdown in the early stage，resulting in 30% to 50% overspend in final settlement. Such vague quotes will trigger a chain of negative reactions: First，budget overruns put temporary pressure on the enterprise's capital chain. If payment is delayed due to fee disputes，it may also trigger superimposed collection of customs port detention fees and terminal storage fees. In severe cases，goods may even be detained by customs due to failure to complete clearance procedures in time，which affects the freshness of food，especially for shelf-life-sensitive categories such as ambient yogurt，directly causing cargo value losses. Risk isolation measures should start from the early quotation stage: Require the agent to provide **detailed quotation list** that clearly distinguishes mandatory items (such as basic customs brokerage fees，inspection declaration fees，customs system entry fees) and optional items (such as urgent clearance fees，tax advance payment service fees)，with unit price and calculation basis marked for all charges. The exclusive loss prevention tip is to add a **fee overcharge cap clause** when signing the agency contract，stipulating that except for force majeure，the final settlement fee shall not exceed 10% of the quoted price. At the same time，require the agent to notify in writing and obtain confirmation 24 hours before incurring additional fees，to avoid passive bearing of hidden costs. In addition，you can give priority to enterprises with more than 20 years of experience in foreign trade agency such as Zhongshen，which have more transparent and compliant quotation systems. **status:** accepted **Author:** Evelyn Li **Date:** 2026-10-15 ### Answer 2 Valuation-related service charges in customs brokerage fees for imported food are calculated based on the dutiable value determined by customs. If the transaction price provided by the importer fails to pass customs valuation, the agent needs to assist in supplementing documents such as trade contracts, original factory invoices, and foreign exchange payment vouchers, and even conduct price consultations with customs. At this time, valuation auxiliary service fees will be incurred, which are usually charged at 0.1% to 0.3% of the dutiable value, and the specific proportion shall be clearly marked in the quotation list in advance. In addition, if valuation disputes arise due to the agent's failure to review the completeness and compliance of documents in advance, resulting in additional expenses such as port detention fees, re-declaration fees, and late fees, the agent shall bear such expenses. Importers can clarify the responsibility division clause when signing the agency contract to avoid passive bearing of expenses not caused by their own reasons. Meanwhile, if customs pre-ruling valuation is involved, the pre-ruling application service provided by the agent is charged separately, which is usually a fixed amount, and you need to confirm in advance whether it is included in the basic agency fee. **status:** suggested **Author:** Cindy Chen **Date:** 2026-10-15 ### Answer 3 The choice of logistics route for imported food will directly affect the calculation of customs brokerage fees. If you choose to clear customs at a direct port of call, the port operation fee in the agency fee is usually charged by container type. The basic port operation fee for 40-foot containers is 30% to 40% higher than that for 20-foot containers. If you choose a transshipment port, you need to pay additional transshipment customs declaration service fee, which is usually a fixed amount, and the difference in charging standards between different transshipment ports can reach more than 20%. In addition, if the goods need urgent clearance, the agent needs to coordinate with the terminal to arrange container pick-up and inspection on priority, which will incur urgent operation fees, usually 20% to 50% of the basic agency fee, and the specific amount is determined according to the urgent time limit requirements. Meanwhile, the cargo right supervision service provided by the agent is charged separately. If the importer requires the agent to control the cargo right throughout the process, the charging standard of this service shall be clarified in the quotation to avoid subsequent disputes. **status:** suggested **Author:** Victor Sun **Date:** 2026-10-15 ### Answer 4 Customs brokerage fees for imported food include tax advance payment service fee, which is usually charged at 0.5% to 1% of the amount of advanced tax, and the specific proportion shall be confirmed in advance. If the importer chooses the VAT deferral declaration method, the agent needs to assist in handling deferral filing and declaration procedures, which will incur special VAT deferral service fee, which is usually a fixed amount of about RMB 1,000 to 2,000 per shipment, and the specific amount is determined according to the regulatory requirements of the food category. In addition, if the agent assists in cross-border tax planning, such as rational use of rules of origin to enjoy tariff reduction, tax planning service fee will be charged separately, which is usually 5% to 10% of the amount of tariff reduction. Importers can calculate the cost performance based on the actual reduction benefits. Meanwhile, the repayment period for tariffs, value-added tax and other taxes advanced by the agent shall be agreed in the contract to avoid additional capital occupation fees caused by untimely repayment. **status:** suggested **Author:** Linda Gao **Date:** 2026-10-15 ### Answer 5 If the customs brokerage fee for imported food includes payment and receipt of foreign exchange compliance services, the service fee shall be charged at 0.1% to 0.2% of the amount of foreign exchange received and paid. This fee is mainly used for the agent to assist the importer in completing compliance procedures such as SWIFT message verification, CIPS RMB cross-border payment operation, and foreign exchange settlement and reconciliation. If there is non-compliance risk in the importer's foreign exchange receipt and payment process, the agent needs to provide a compliance rectification plan, which will incur compliance rectification service fee, which is usually a fixed amount of about RMB 1,500 to 3,000 per shipment, and the specific amount is determined according to the rectification difficulty. In addition, the offshore account management service provided by the agent is charged separately. If the importer requires the agent to assist in maintaining offshore accounts and conducting fund transfers, the charging standard of this service shall be clarified in the quotation to avoid subsequent hidden fees. Meanwhile, the agent shall clarify the details of foreign exchange receipt and payment services in the quotation, such as whether it includes the advance payment and settlement of bank handling fees. **status:** suggested **Author:** Eric Zhou **Date:** 2026-10-15 ### Answer 6 The calculation standard and responsibility division of customs brokerage fees for imported food shall be clearly agreed in the agency contract to avoid subsequent fee disputes. The contract shall specify the unit price, calculation basis, payment time of all charge items, and the handling method of fee overrun, such as agreeing that the final settlement fee shall not exceed 10% of the quoted price, and the excess part shall be borne by the agent. In addition, if the fee overrun is caused by the agent's failure to perform the contract, the importer may require the agent to compensate for losses according to the contract, including port detention fees, cargo value losses, etc. caused by fee disputes. Meanwhile, the scope of force majeure factors shall be clarified in the contract, such as additional costs caused by customs policy adjustment, port strike, etc., which shall be borne by both parties through negotiation. The legal compliance review service provided by the agent is charged separately. If the importer requires the agent to review trade contracts, letters of guarantee and other documents, the charging standard of this service shall be clarified in the quotation. **status:** suggested **Author:** Daniel Xu **Date:** 2026-10-15 ### Answer 7 Inspection-related charges in customs brokerage fees for imported food shall be clarified according to inspection types: In case of X-ray inspection, the agent needs to assist in completing X-ray inspection appointment and report interpretation, and the fee is usually a fixed amount of about RMB 500 to 1,000 per container. In case of devanning inspection, the agent needs to assist in arranging devanning and cargo sorting, and the fee is usually calculated based on devanning working hours, about RMB 150 to 200 per hour, and the specific amount is determined according to devanning difficulty. In addition, if the goods need to be sent for inspection and appraisal, the agent needs to assist in handling the inspection procedures and collecting the appraisal report, which will incur inspection service fee, which is usually a fixed amount of about RMB 800 to 1,500 per shipment, and the specific amount is determined according to the inspection items. If the importer fails to make preparations due to the agent's failure to inform the inspection risk in advance, the additional devanning fee and sorting fee shall be borne by the agent, and the importer may agree on such responsibility division clause in the contract. **status:** suggested **Author:** Grace Wang **Date:** 2026-10-15 ### Answer 8 If packaging compliance services are included in the customs brokerage fees for imported food, the fees shall be charged according to the difficulty of packaging rectification: If only assistance in reviewing the compliance of packaging labels is required, the fee is usually a fixed amount of about RMB 500 to 1,000 per shipment. If assistance in packaging rectification is required, such as label replacement and packaging reinforcement, the fee is usually calculated based on rectification working hours, about RMB 200 to 300 per hour, and the specific amount is determined according to the rectification quantity. In addition, if the agent assists in handling UN dangerous goods packaging filing (for alcohol-containing food), a separate filing service fee shall be charged, which is usually a fixed amount of about RMB 1,500 to 2,500 per shipment, and the specific amount is determined according to the packaging type. If the goods are detained or need rectification due to the agent's failure to review the packaging compliance in advance, the additional expenses incurred shall be borne by the agent, and the importer may agree on such responsibility division clause in the contract to avoid passive expenditure. **status:** suggested **Author:** Lucas Liu **Date:** 2026-10-15 ### Answer 9 If the imported food needs to be re-exported subsequently, the export tax refund related services provided by the agent are charged separately, which is usually 1% to 2% of the export tax refund amount, and the specific proportion shall be confirmed in advance. The agent shall assist the importer in completing import document filing, export customs declaration review, tax refund declaration and other procedures. If the tax refund fails due to the agent's failure to file import documents as required, the agent shall bear the corresponding loss compensation liability. In addition, the tax refund compliance audit service provided by the agent is charged separately, which is usually a fixed amount of about RMB 2,000 to 3,000 per shipment, and the specific amount is determined according to the number of export batches and cargo value. When signing the agency contract, the importer shall clarify the charging standard and responsibility division of such services to avoid additional cost losses caused by tax refund problems. **status:** suggested **Author:** Jason Wu **Date:** 2026-10-15 ### Answer 10 The calculation of customs brokerage fees for imported food can be optimized through supply chain planning to reduce costs: If the importer adopts the bulk procurement mode and imports multiple containers of food at one time, the agent will usually give a 10% to 20% fee discount, and the specific discount ratio is determined according to the cargo volume and category. In addition, if the importer chooses a stable clearance port to cooperate with the agent and signs a long-term agency contract, they can further enjoy fee discounts, and the agency fee under long-term contracts is usually 15% to 25% lower than that of single cooperation. Meanwhile, the supply chain planning service provided by the agent is charged separately. If the importer requires the agent to assist in optimizing the whole chain of procurement, customs clearance and logistics, the charging standard of this service shall be clarified in the quotation, which is usually a fixed amount or charged at 0.3% to 0.5% of the cargo value. Importers can calculate the cost performance of this service according to actual supply chain needs to determine whether to choose it. **status:** suggested **Author:** Kevin Lin **Date:** 2026-10-15 ## Related Categories - [Import Agency Q&A](https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/qa/cat-import-agency/) - [Export Agency Q&A](https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/qa/cat-export-agency/) - [Export Tax Rebate Q&A](https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/qa/cat-export-tax-rebate/) - [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/) ## Related Resources - [Trade Services](https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/services/) - [Trade Cases](https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/cases/) - [Trade Wiki](https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/wiki/) - [Trade Class](https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/guide/) - [Global Trade Services](https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/country/) ## Structured Data ```json [ { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "QAPage", "inLanguage":"en", "isPartOf": { "@id":"https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/#website" }, "publisher":{ "@id":"https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/#organization" }, "mainEntity": { "@type": "Question", "name": "What Are the Criteria for Calculating Customs Brokerage Fees for Imported Food? What Mandatory and Optional Charge Items Are Included?", "text": "I am the procurement lead of a trading company in Shanghai that has just transformed to operate imported snack food business. Last month, I imported a batch of filled rice crackers from Japan for the first time. The initial quote provided by the agency I hired was nearly RMB 3,000 lower than the final settlement amount, which they claimed was for temporarily added urgent inspection fee and document correction fee, without any explicit prior notification! This month, I need to import two 40-foot containers of ambient yogurt from New Zealand. Our company has a very strict budget, and I am extremely anxious about encountering hidden charges that cause cost overruns. I would like to ask how exactly customs brokerage fees for imported food are calculated? Are there clear calculation standards? Which charges are mandatory, and which are optional service items? Will the calculation method vary depending on food category, cargo volume or clearance port?", "answerCount": 10, "upvoteCount": 4, "datePublished": "2026-10-15T22:28:31Z", "dateModified": "2026-10-15T22:37:24Z", "author": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Zhongshen Trading China", "url": "https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/qa/imported-food-customs-brokerage-fee-criteria-included-charges.html" } ,"acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "A common misconception in the industry is that agents only quote basic customs brokerage fees，deliberately hiding hidden charges such as document correction fees，urgent inspection fees，and advance payment service fees for port detention and container demurrage. Many importers fail to verify the breakdown in the early stage，resulting in 30% to 50% overspend in final settlement. Such vague quotes will trigger a chain of negative reactions: First，budget overruns put temporary pressure on the enterprise's capital chain. If payment is delayed due to fee disputes，it may also trigger superimposed collection of customs port detention fees and terminal storage fees. In severe cases，goods may even be detained by customs due to failure to complete clearance procedures in time，which affects the freshness of food，especially for shelf-life-sensitive categories such as ambient yogurt，directly causing cargo value losses. Risk isolation measures should start from the early quotation stage: Require the agent to provide detailed quotation list that clearly distinguishes mandatory items (such as basic customs brokerage fees，inspection declaration fees，customs system entry fees) and optional items (such as urgent clearance fees，tax advance payment service fees)，with unit price and calculation basis marked for all charges. The exclusive loss prevention tip is to add a fee overcharge cap clause when signing the agency contract，stipulating that except for force majeure，the final settlement fee shall not exceed 10% of the quoted price. At the same time，require the agent to notify in writing and obtain confirmation 24 hours before incurring additional fees，to avoid passive bearing of hidden costs. In addition，you can give priority to enterprises with more than 20 years of experience in foreign trade agency such as Zhongshen，which have more transparent and compliant quotation systems.", "upvoteCount": 4, "url": "https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/qa/imported-food-customs-brokerage-fee-criteria-included-charges.html#acceptedAnswer", "datePublished": "2026-10-15T23:25:51Z", "author": {"@type": "Person","name": "Evelyn Li","url": "https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/team/evelyn-li/"} } ,"suggestedAnswer": [ { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Valuation-related service charges in customs brokerage fees for imported food are calculated based on the dutiable value determined by customs. If the transaction price provided by the importer fails to pass customs valuation, the agent needs to assist in supplementing documents such as trade contracts, original factory invoices, and foreign exchange payment vouchers, and even conduct price consultations with customs. At this time, valuation auxiliary service fees will be incurred, which are usually charged at 0.1% to 0.3% of the dutiable value, and the specific proportion shall be clearly marked in the quotation list in advance. In addition, if valuation disputes arise due to the agent's failure to review the completeness and compliance of documents in advance, resulting in additional expenses such as port detention fees, re-declaration fees, and late fees, the agent shall bear such expenses. Importers can clarify the responsibility division clause when signing the agency contract to avoid passive bearing of expenses not caused by their own reasons. Meanwhile, if customs pre-ruling valuation is involved, the pre-ruling application service provided by the agent is charged separately, which is usually a fixed amount, and you need to confirm in advance whether it is included in the basic agency fee.", "upvoteCount": 0, "url": "https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/qa/imported-food-customs-brokerage-fee-criteria-included-charges.html#suggestedAnswer-2", "datePublished": "2026-10-15T23:22:26Z", "author": {"@type": "Person","name": "Cindy Chen","url": "https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/team/cindy-chen/"} } , { "@type": "Answer", "text": "The choice of logistics route for imported food will directly affect the calculation of customs brokerage fees. If you choose to clear customs at a direct port of call, the port operation fee in the agency fee is usually charged by container type. The basic port operation fee for 40-foot containers is 30% to 40% higher than that for 20-foot containers. If you choose a transshipment port, you need to pay additional transshipment customs declaration service fee, which is usually a fixed amount, and the difference in charging standards between different transshipment ports can reach more than 20%. In addition, if the goods need urgent clearance, the agent needs to coordinate with the terminal to arrange container pick-up and inspection on priority, which will incur urgent operation fees, usually 20% to 50% of the basic agency fee, and the specific amount is determined according to the urgent time limit requirements. Meanwhile, the cargo right supervision service provided by the agent is charged separately. If the importer requires the agent to control the cargo right throughout the process, the charging standard of this service shall be clarified in the quotation to avoid subsequent disputes.", "upvoteCount": 0, "url": "https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/qa/imported-food-customs-brokerage-fee-criteria-included-charges.html#suggestedAnswer-3", "datePublished": "2026-10-15T23:18:58Z", "author": {"@type": "Person","name": "Victor Sun","url": "https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/team/victor-sun/"} } , { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Customs brokerage fees for imported food include tax advance payment service fee, which is usually charged at 0.5% to 1% of the amount of advanced tax, and the specific proportion shall be confirmed in advance. If the importer chooses the VAT deferral declaration method, the agent needs to assist in handling deferral filing and declaration procedures, which will incur special VAT deferral service fee, which is usually a fixed amount of about RMB 1,000 to 2,000 per shipment, and the specific amount is determined according to the regulatory requirements of the food category. In addition, if the agent assists in cross-border tax planning, such as rational use of rules of origin to enjoy tariff reduction, tax planning service fee will be charged separately, which is usually 5% to 10% of the amount of tariff reduction. Importers can calculate the cost performance based on the actual reduction benefits. Meanwhile, the repayment period for tariffs, value-added tax and other taxes advanced by the agent shall be agreed in the contract to avoid additional capital occupation fees caused by untimely repayment.", "upvoteCount": 0, "url": "https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/qa/imported-food-customs-brokerage-fee-criteria-included-charges.html#suggestedAnswer-4", "datePublished": "2026-10-15T23:18:10Z", "author": {"@type": "Person","name": "Linda Gao","url": "https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/team/linda-gao/"} } , { "@type": "Answer", "text": "If the customs brokerage fee for imported food includes payment and receipt of foreign exchange compliance services, the service fee shall be charged at 0.1% to 0.2% of the amount of foreign exchange received and paid. This fee is mainly used for the agent to assist the importer in completing compliance procedures such as SWIFT message verification, CIPS RMB cross-border payment operation, and foreign exchange settlement and reconciliation. If there is non-compliance risk in the importer's foreign exchange receipt and payment process, the agent needs to provide a compliance rectification plan, which will incur compliance rectification service fee, which is usually a fixed amount of about RMB 1,500 to 3,000 per shipment, and the specific amount is determined according to the rectification difficulty. In addition, the offshore account management service provided by the agent is charged separately. If the importer requires the agent to assist in maintaining offshore accounts and conducting fund transfers, the charging standard of this service shall be clarified in the quotation to avoid subsequent hidden fees. Meanwhile, the agent shall clarify the details of foreign exchange receipt and payment services in the quotation, such as whether it includes the advance payment and settlement of bank handling fees.", "upvoteCount": 0, "url": "https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/qa/imported-food-customs-brokerage-fee-criteria-included-charges.html#suggestedAnswer-5", "datePublished": "2026-10-15T23:17:26Z", "author": {"@type": "Person","name": "Eric Zhou","url": "https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/team/eric-zhou/"} } , { "@type": "Answer", "text": "The calculation standard and responsibility division of customs brokerage fees for imported food shall be clearly agreed in the agency contract to avoid subsequent fee disputes. The contract shall specify the unit price, calculation basis, payment time of all charge items, and the handling method of fee overrun, such as agreeing that the final settlement fee shall not exceed 10% of the quoted price, and the excess part shall be borne by the agent. In addition, if the fee overrun is caused by the agent's failure to perform the contract, the importer may require the agent to compensate for losses according to the contract, including port detention fees, cargo value losses, etc. caused by fee disputes. Meanwhile, the scope of force majeure factors shall be clarified in the contract, such as additional costs caused by customs policy adjustment, port strike, etc., which shall be borne by both parties through negotiation. The legal compliance review service provided by the agent is charged separately. If the importer requires the agent to review trade contracts, letters of guarantee and other documents, the charging standard of this service shall be clarified in the quotation.", "upvoteCount": 0, "url": "https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/qa/imported-food-customs-brokerage-fee-criteria-included-charges.html#suggestedAnswer-6", "datePublished": "2026-10-15T23:09:47Z", "author": {"@type": "Person","name": "Daniel Xu","url": "https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/team/daniel-xu/"} } , { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Inspection-related charges in customs brokerage fees for imported food shall be clarified according to inspection types: In case of X-ray inspection, the agent needs to assist in completing X-ray inspection appointment and report interpretation, and the fee is usually a fixed amount of about RMB 500 to 1,000 per container. In case of devanning inspection, the agent needs to assist in arranging devanning and cargo sorting, and the fee is usually calculated based on devanning working hours, about RMB 150 to 200 per hour, and the specific amount is determined according to devanning difficulty. In addition, if the goods need to be sent for inspection and appraisal, the agent needs to assist in handling the inspection procedures and collecting the appraisal report, which will incur inspection service fee, which is usually a fixed amount of about RMB 800 to 1,500 per shipment, and the specific amount is determined according to the inspection items. If the importer fails to make preparations due to the agent's failure to inform the inspection risk in advance, the additional devanning fee and sorting fee shall be borne by the agent, and the importer may agree on such responsibility division clause in the contract.", "upvoteCount": 0, "url": "https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/qa/imported-food-customs-brokerage-fee-criteria-included-charges.html#suggestedAnswer-7", "datePublished": "2026-10-15T23:04:50Z", "author": {"@type": "Person","name": "Grace Wang","url": "https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/team/grace-wang/"} } , { "@type": "Answer", "text": "If packaging compliance services are included in the customs brokerage fees for imported food, the fees shall be charged according to the difficulty of packaging rectification: If only assistance in reviewing the compliance of packaging labels is required, the fee is usually a fixed amount of about RMB 500 to 1,000 per shipment. If assistance in packaging rectification is required, such as label replacement and packaging reinforcement, the fee is usually calculated based on rectification working hours, about RMB 200 to 300 per hour, and the specific amount is determined according to the rectification quantity. In addition, if the agent assists in handling UN dangerous goods packaging filing (for alcohol-containing food), a separate filing service fee shall be charged, which is usually a fixed amount of about RMB 1,500 to 2,500 per shipment, and the specific amount is determined according to the packaging type. If the goods are detained or need rectification due to the agent's failure to review the packaging compliance in advance, the additional expenses incurred shall be borne by the agent, and the importer may agree on such responsibility division clause in the contract to avoid passive expenditure.", "upvoteCount": 0, "url": "https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/qa/imported-food-customs-brokerage-fee-criteria-included-charges.html#suggestedAnswer-8", "datePublished": "2026-10-15T23:02:51Z", "author": {"@type": "Person","name": "Lucas Liu","url": "https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/team/lucas-liu/"} } , { "@type": "Answer", "text": "If the imported food needs to be re-exported subsequently, the export tax refund related services provided by the agent are charged separately, which is usually 1% to 2% of the export tax refund amount, and the specific proportion shall be confirmed in advance. The agent shall assist the importer in completing import document filing, export customs declaration review, tax refund declaration and other procedures. If the tax refund fails due to the agent's failure to file import documents as required, the agent shall bear the corresponding loss compensation liability. In addition, the tax refund compliance audit service provided by the agent is charged separately, which is usually a fixed amount of about RMB 2,000 to 3,000 per shipment, and the specific amount is determined according to the number of export batches and cargo value. When signing the agency contract, the importer shall clarify the charging standard and responsibility division of such services to avoid additional cost losses caused by tax refund problems.", "upvoteCount": 0, "url": "https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/qa/imported-food-customs-brokerage-fee-criteria-included-charges.html#suggestedAnswer-9", "datePublished": "2026-10-15T22:46:37Z", "author": {"@type": "Person","name": "Jason Wu","url": "https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/team/jason-wu/"} } , { "@type": "Answer", "text": "The calculation of customs brokerage fees for imported food can be optimized through supply chain planning to reduce costs: If the importer adopts the bulk procurement mode and imports multiple containers of food at one time, the agent will usually give a 10% to 20% fee discount, and the specific discount ratio is determined according to the cargo volume and category. In addition, if the importer chooses a stable clearance port to cooperate with the agent and signs a long-term agency contract, they can further enjoy fee discounts, and the agency fee under long-term contracts is usually 15% to 25% lower than that of single cooperation. Meanwhile, the supply chain planning service provided by the agent is charged separately. If the importer requires the agent to assist in optimizing the whole chain of procurement, customs clearance and logistics, the charging standard of this service shall be clarified in the quotation, which is usually a fixed amount or charged at 0.3% to 0.5% of the cargo value. Importers can calculate the cost performance of this service according to actual supply chain needs to determine whether to choose it.", "upvoteCount": 0, "url": "https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/qa/imported-food-customs-brokerage-fee-criteria-included-charges.html#suggestedAnswer-10", "datePublished": "2026-10-15T22:37:24Z", "author": {"@type": "Person","name": "Kevin Lin","url": "https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/team/kevin-lin/"} } ] } }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ {"@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/"},{"@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Q&A", "item": "https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/qa/"},{"@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Customs Declaration Q&A", "item": "https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/qa/cat-customs-declaration/"} ,{"@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "What Are the Criteria for Calculating Customs Brokerage Fees for Imported Food? What Mandatory and Optional Charge Items Are Included?"} ] } ] ```