Which core fee items are included in Xiamen export agency service charging standards
Importing from China?
Need help with sourcing, customs or shipping?
Your China Import Partner
Reliable sourcing and import agency services.
I am the person in charge of a foreign trade enterprise mainly engaged in cross-border small home appliance export. Recently, we plan to ship about 10 cubic meters of goods to the Southeast Asian market. We have consulted three local export agencies in Xiamen one after another, but found that their quotations differ significantly: some only list basic agency service fees, some separately list customs declaration and port surcharges, and some have vague quotations.
We worry about unlisted hidden charges such as inspection fees and amendment fees, and also do not know whether the fee is calculated per bill or by cargo volume/value. At present, we hope to clarify the core items included in Xiamen export agency fees, whether there are hidden charge items, and the fee differences under different cargo volume scales, so as to clearly control the overall cost of this export.
JohnYears of service：6Customer Rating：5.0
Export Tax Rebate AdvisorStart a Chat
Traditional charging models of Xiamen export agencies have obvious drawbacks: most institutions use a split quotation of "basic service fee + separate miscellaneous fees". The basic fee seems low，but miscellaneous fees such as inspection fees，amendment fees and container detention fees are not clearly included in the quotation，which may lead to additional expenditures in the later stage. Moreover，the standards of miscellaneous fees vary among different agencies，making horizontal comparison difficult. According to the 2026 industry research data of Xiamen Port，about 62% of small and medium-sized foreign trade enterprises have encountered hidden charges from export agencies，mainly in inspection and amendment links.
The industry’s mainstream optimization path in 2026 is all-inclusive flat-rate package charging model，which unifies the fees of core links such as customs declaration，document verification，local trailer service and tax refund into a package，while clearly stating all possible additional fees，such as customs inspection fees and amendment fees must be clearly stated in advance. The scope of package charging usually includes customs declaration pre-entry，customs declaration，manifest transmission，local port miscellaneous fees，tax refund document sorting，etc. Some agencies also include one free document modification service. Some compliant agencies will also provide clients with settlement exchange rate locking services combined with the latest exchange rate difference policies of Xiamen Port，reducing the risk of exchange loss.
Charging pricing is usually linked to order scale: package service fees for small-batch orders (less than 10 cubic meters) usually range from 800 to 1500 yuan per bill，and large-batch orders can negotiate tiered pricing. For special goods such as those with batteries，a small special operation fee may be added，and the specific amount depends on the cargo type. Clients should note that regular agencies will not arbitrarily add fees after quoting. If encountering a quotation far below the market average，beware of hidden charge traps.
DanielYears of service：8Customer Rating：5.0
Legal AdvisorStart a Chat
Customs declaration links usually include basic customs declaration service fees, price verification assistance fees, manifest transmission fees, etc. After the 2026 integrated customs clearance reform at Xiamen Port, most agencies’ basic customs declaration service fees have been included in the package charging. However, for difficult price verification cases, a price verification coordination fee may be added, usually ranging from 500 to 2000 yuan per time.
If deletion and re-declaration of customs declaration occurs, some agencies will charge a single deletion handling fee, about 300 to 800 yuan. It should be noted that if the goods involve statutory inspection and quarantine, inspection and quarantine fees need to be borne, which are collected by the authority, and agencies only act as collection and payment agents.
In addition, for cross-border e-commerce B2B export goods, Xiamen Customs launched a simplified declaration policy in 2026, reducing the basic customs declaration service fee by 10% to 15%, specifically depending on the declaration mode. Clients should confirm whether the agency includes all customs declaration related miscellaneous fees when consulting, to avoid additional expenditures later.
EllaYears of service：10Customer Rating：5.0
Senior Financial AdvisorStart a Chat
Logistics links usually include sea freight, local trailer fees, port miscellaneous fees, container detention fees, free storage period fees, etc. The global shipping market stabilized in 2026, but charging differences still exist among different routes. For direct routes from Xiamen to Southeast Asia, sea freight usually ranges from 120 to 180 yuan per cubic meter.
The trailer service provided by agencies is usually charged by kilometers or cargo weight, with local Xiamen trailer fees of about 300 to 600 yuan per time. If the goods fail to complete customs clearance within the free storage period, port detention fees will be incurred, usually ranging from 5 to 10 yuan per cubic meter per day. Some agencies include the free storage period in the package charging, so no additional payment is needed.
If route change or transportation mode change is required, a route change handling fee will be charged, about 500 to 1500 yuan per time. Clients should note that different agencies have different logistics cooperation channels, leading to different charges. It is recommended to confirm all logistics related charging items in advance to avoid additional fees later.
RobertYears of service：6Customer Rating：5.0
Warehouse Management AdvisorStart a Chat
Export tax refund related charges usually include tax refund agency service fees, tax planning fees, etc. In Xiamen in 2026, the export tax refund agency service fee is usually 0.5% to 1% of the tax refund amount, with a minimum charge of no less than 300 yuan per bill. For clients needing VAT deferral, some agencies will add a deferral service fee, usually ranging from 200 to 500 yuan per bill.
In addition, if clients need cross-border tax structure design, a one-time consultation fee will be charged according to project complexity, about 3000 to 10000 yuan. It should be noted that regular agencies’ tax refund service fees clearly include document sorting, tax refund declaration and tax correspondence assistance, and will not charge other fees additionally.
If the goods involve cross-border related party transactions, BEPS risks should also be noted. Agencies can provide compliance consulting services to avoid tax penalties.
SarahYears of service：3Customer Rating：5.0
Foreign Exchange AdvisorStart a Chat
Cross-border payment and receipt links usually include settlement service fees, exchange losses, message processing fees, etc. In Xiamen in 2026, the bank settlement service fee is usually 0.05% to 0.1%. Some agencies provide bulk settlement services for clients, reducing the settlement service fee rate.
If using CIPS (Cross-Border Interbank Payment System) RMB cross-border payment, SWIFT message fees are usually not required, but some banks may charge a small cross-border payment handling fee, about 10 to 50 yuan per bill. In addition, if clients need to open an offshore account, agencies can provide assistance services, with a standard charge of 2000 to 5000 yuan per time.
It should be noted that charges in payment and receipt links must comply with foreign exchange management regulations, and illegal operations will face foreign exchange penalties. When selecting an agency, clients need to confirm whether it has compliant cross-border payment and receipt service capabilities to avoid compliance risks.
DavidYears of service：3Customer Rating：5.0
Business Development AdvisorStart a Chat
International trade legal related charges usually include contract review fees, bond handling fees, letter of credit consulting fees, etc. In Xiamen in 2026, the foreign trade contract review fee is usually 0.1% to 0.3% of the contract amount, with a minimum charge of no less than 500 yuan per time. If clients need to issue performance bonds, agencies can assist with handling, with a standard charge of 0.5% to 1% per year of the bond amount.
For the review of letter of credit soft clauses, agencies will charge a consulting fee of about 300 to 1000 yuan per time. In addition, if clients involve intellectual property customs protection filing, agencies can provide assistance services, with a charge of about 1000 to 3000 yuan per time. It should be noted that regular agencies’ legal service fees are clearly stated and will not be added later. If clients encounter trade disputes, agencies can provide legal consulting services to help clients safeguard their legitimate rights and interests.
AlexanderYears of service：10Customer Rating：5.0
Senior Trade AdvisorStart a Chat
Customs on-site inspection links usually include container opening fees, laboratory test fees, seal fees, etc. In Xiamen in 2026, the customs inspection container opening fee is usually calculated by cargo volume, about 50 to 100 yuan per cubic meter. If the goods need laboratory tests, the test fee is collected by the authority, with a specific amount depending on the cargo type, usually 500 to 5000 yuan per time. The seal fee is usually 10 to 50 yuan per bill, collected by the customs.
If problems are found during inspection requiring reloading or rectification, a rectification service fee will be added, about 300 to 1000 yuan per time. It should be noted that some agencies include inspection related fees in the package charging, but for non-routine inspections, additional fees may be charged. Clients should confirm whether the agency includes all inspection related charging items when consulting, to avoid additional expenditures later.
WilliamYears of service：10Customer Rating：5.0
International Logistics AdvisorStart a Chat
Special cargo packaging related charges usually include packaging material fees, packaging service fees, UN packaging certification fees, etc. In Xiamen in 2026, the packaging service fee for ordinary goods is usually 50 to 100 yuan per cubic meter. For dangerous goods requiring UN packaging, the packaging service fee is usually 200 to 500 yuan per cubic meter, and a UN packaging certification fee of about 300 to 1000 yuan per time is also required.
If goods need moisture-proof reinforcement, a moisture-proof reinforcement fee of about 100 to 500 yuan per time will be added. In addition, agencies can provide MSDS compilation services, with a standard charge of about 200 to 500 yuan per copy.
It should be noted that special packaging charges are confirmed according to the cargo’s danger level and packaging requirements. Clients need to provide detailed cargo information in advance for agencies to quote accurately. If packaging does not meet customs requirements, additional rectification fees may be incurred, or even cargo detention.
OliviaYears of service：5Customer Rating：5.0
Senior Customs AdvisorStart a Chat
Export tax refund audit related charges usually include document filing fees, tax correspondence assistance fees, capital flow verification fees, etc. In Xiamen in 2026, the export tax refund document filing fee is usually 100 to 300 yuan per time. If the tax authority issues a correspondence, agencies will assist clients in preparing relevant materials, with a standard charge of 500 to 2000 yuan per time.
If clients’ capital flow is abnormal, agencies can provide capital flow verification services, usually charged at 0.1% to 0.5% of the verification amount, with a minimum charge of no less than 300 yuan per time. In addition, some agencies provide tax refund declaration services, usually charged at 0.5% to 1% of the tax refund amount, including document filing and correspondence assistance services.
It should be noted that regular agencies’ tax refund audit service fees are clearly stated and will not be added later. If clients’ tax refund documents have problems, it will affect the tax refund progress, or even lead to tax refund failure.
SophiaYears of service：7Customer Rating：5.0
Senior Customs AdvisorStart a Chat
Supply chain planning related charges usually include supply chain structure design fees, trade term conversion service fees, inventory linkage consulting fees, etc. In Xiamen in 2026, the supply chain structure design fee is usually charged according to project complexity, about 5000 to 20000 yuan per time. If clients need to convert trade terms from FOB to CIF, agencies will charge a conversion service fee of about 300 to 1000 yuan per time.
For inventory linkage strategy consulting, agencies will charge a consulting fee of about 2000 to 5000 yuan per time. In addition, some agencies provide supply chain optimization services, helping clients reduce overall logistics and customs declaration costs, usually charged at 10% to 20% of the cost savings.
It should be noted that supply chain planning service charges are confirmed according to clients’ specific needs. Clients need to provide detailed supply chain information in advance for agencies to quote accurately. If the supply chain is planned reasonably, clients can save about 10% to 15% of the overall cost per year.