Booking service fee:
FCL (Full Container Load) 500-1000 RMB,
LCL (Less than Container Load) charged per cubic meter
Port Handling Charge (THC): The 2025 standard is 580-780 RMB per 20GP container.
Collection of government fees: Inspection fee (charged at 0.15%-0.3% of the cargo value), customs inspection fee (actual cost reimbursement)
Why is there a significant difference in quotes from different agencies?
Market monitoring data for 2025 shows that the differences in export agency quotations primarily stem from:
Differences in service depth: Whether it includesExport DrawbackOperations (typically charging a refund amount of 1%-3%), foreign exchange verification, and other value-added services
Differences in channel resources: The space guarantee capability of first-class freight forwarders directly impactsMaritime TransportationAdditional charges (e.g., the 2025 peak season surcharge PSS is approximately $500 per container).
Differences in compliance costs: AEO-certified enterprises can save 3-5 working days of port storage fees due to lower inspection rates.
What new fee-based services should we be aware of in 2025?
According to the latest international trade regulations, it is recommended to pay special attention to:
Carbon tariff surcharge: Under the EU CBAM mechanism, steel products are required to prepay carbon emission costs (approximately 2%-5% of the cargo value).
Data Security Certification Fee: GDPR Compliance Data Processing Service (2000-5000 RMB/year)
RCEP Rules of Origin Service Fee: Application for Regional Preferential Tax Rate (Document Review Fee: 300-800 RMB)
How to Avoid Hidden Fee Traps?
Based on 20 years of experience in handling agency disputes, the following measures are recommended:
Request a detailed quotation sheet: Pay special attention to the last-mile delivery costs under DDP terms (which can reach up to $800 per container in some countries).
Clarify the basis for cost calculation: The marine insurance premium is calculated at 110% of the CIF value, with a rate of approximately 0.2%-0.5%.
Agreed exchange rate fluctuation mechanism:It is recommended to use the Bank of China's spot exchange selling rate 3 days prior to the T/T payment.
Can the agency fee for 2025 be negotiated?
Professional agencies typically offer flexible solutions:
Annual Export Volume Tiered Pricing: Customers with over 100 cabinets can receive a 15%-20% discount on service fees.
Combo Service Discount:Using customs declaration + tax refund + foreign exchange services simultaneously can save 5%-8% in overall costs.
Payment Term Incentive Policy: A 30-day payment term typically incurs financial costs ranging from 1.5% to 3%.
What expenses may incur unexpected costs?
According to the data from the General Administration of Customs for January to June 2025, special precautions should be taken against:
Customs classification dispute fee: Late declaration fee due to commodity code dispute (0.5‰ of the cargo value per day)
Penalty for false reporting of hazardous chemicals: Penalties for missing UN packaging certification (maximum fine of 50,000 yuan per violation)
Anti - dumping margin: Some products require a temporary deposit of 36.5%-255%.