Who is responsible for paying the fees for customs declaration export agency?

Resolved
NO.20251116*****

[Challenge] *****, [Solution] *****, [Process & Cost] *****

Access Full Plan
Our company recently has a batch of goods to export and plans to find a customs declaration agency to handle customs clearance matters. However, we are unclear about who should pay the customs declaration export agency fees. Should it be us, the client, or could it be the consignee? Under what circumstances would different parties be responsible for paying the fees? We hope friends who understand related knowledge can help answer, thank you!
Trade Experts Q&A
Trade Experts Q&A

Consult with Our Trade Experts

Quick, reliable advice for all your trade needs, from sourcing to shipping.

Trade Expert Insights Answers

The payment responsibility for customs declaration export agency fees is usually determined through negotiation between the trading parties in the contract. Generally, it is common for the client to pay, meaning the exporting company itself pays the customs declaration agency fees. This is because the client has a direct (entrustment) relationship with the customs declaration agency, entrusting them to handle customs clearance business, so bearing the costs is reasonable.

However, if the trade contract explicitly stipulates that the consignee shall bear the related export fees such as customs declaration agency fees, then the consignee will pay. For example, some large purchasers may require to bear these costs to better control logistics costs and supply chain processes. Additionally, when trade terms specify that certain fees are to be borne by a specific party, it can also affect the payer of the customs declaration agency fees. For instance, under DAP (Delivered at Place) terms, the seller is responsible for all risks and expenses of transporting the goods to the designated destination, which may include customs declaration agency fees. In such cases, the seller (client) may pay. In summary, the key lies in the specific agreement in the trade contract.

Most of the time, the exporter pays because the exporter hires the agency for their own business needs, and paying the fees is reasonable. Unless it's agreed with the consignee beforehand that they will pay.

The payer of the fees depends on how the trade terms are set. Under FOB terms, local fees like customs declaration are usually borne by the exporter, unless there are special agreements on fee responsibility in the trade terms.

Generally, if there are no special agreements, the company entrusting the customs declaration agency pays the fees. If the consignee wants to control the customs clearance process and is willing to pay, that's also possible; it mainly depends on the negotiation between the two parties.

From an operational perspective, it is common for the client to pay the fees when entrusting an agency for customs declaration export. However, if both parties negotiate and the consignee is willing to bear the cost to facilitate the transaction, the exporter will also agree.

There is no absolute rule on who pays the fees. If the consignee has special requirements, such as designating the customs broker, then it is possible for them to pay the fees; everything needs to be discussed and agreed upon.

Usually, the client pays the fees, as they are the ones entrusting the customs declaration agency. However, if the exporter wants the consignee to pay, they should raise this during negotiations and reach an agreement.

In actual business practice, it is more common for exporting companies to pay the customs declaration agency fees. But if the consignee believes they can save costs by handling customs clearance themselves, they might take on the fees.

This depends on who has more leverage between the exporting company and the consignee. The party with more leverage may decide the payer of the fees, and it still needs to be negotiated in conjunction with the trade situation.

If the exporting company wants to attract the consignee, they might proactively bear the customs declaration agency fees; if the consignee is in a hurry to receive the goods, they might also be willing to pay the fees. In any case, negotiation is important.

User-submitted questions and answers reflect personal opinions, not the official stance of this website.

You May Also Like

How Much Do One-Stop Export Agency Fees Cost? Come and Find Out!

A company plans to use a one-stop export agency service and wants to understand the fee structure. They are unsure if the charges are based on a percentage of order value, a fixed fee, or other methods. The best answer indicates that there are no fixed standards for one-stop export agency fees. Commonly, they are charged at 1%-5% of the order value, or a fixed fee ranging from a few hundred to several thousand yuan. Additional charges may apply depending on the complexity of the business. It is recommended to communicate business details with the agency to obtain an accurate quote.

How Much Is the Agency Fee for Imported Snacks Usually? Come and Find Out!

Some people want to become imported snack agents and are asking about the agency fee. The agency fee for imported snacks has no fixed standard and is influenced by factors such as brand influence, agency region, and agency level. For well-known brands, the agency fee ranges from 50,000 to 150,000 yuan; in first-tier cities, it's 30,000 to 100,000 yuan; in third and fourth-tier cities, it's 10,000 to 50,000 yuan. For platforms like Zhongmaoda, the basic package agency fee is around 30,000 to 80,000 yuan. The specific amount needs to be discussed in detail with the brand owner.

How Much Does It Cost to Be an Agent for Imported Starbucks Mugs? Come Find Out!

If you want to become an agent for imported Starbucks mugs and are inquiring about agency fees, including whether there is a franchise fee, initial stocking fee, etc., and their specific amounts. The best answer states that agency fees are influenced by various factors, such as brand authorization fees of 50,000 - 100,000 yuan, initial stocking fees of 100,000 - 300,000 yuan, store renovation fees of 50,000 - 200,000 yuan, and operating capital of 50,000 - 100,000 yuan. The initial investment is approximately 250,000 - 700,000 yuan, and specific details need to be communicated with Zhongmaoda.

What is the general fee for import inspection agency services? How is it calculated?

Want to understand the fees for import inspection agency services, recently have imported goods that need agency inspection, asking about the charging standards, and whether there are differences in fees for different types of goods. The best answer points out that there is no fixed standard for import inspection agency fees, which are influenced by factors such as the type of goods, complexity, quantity, value, and inspection location. The calculation methods are diverse, and to accurately know the fees, you need to explain the specific situation of the goods to the agency.

Do I need to pay stamp duty when using an agent for export? Come and find out!

Inquires whether stamp duty needs to be paid when a company uses an agent for export, what the basis for taxation is if it is payable, and whether there are regional differences in regulations. The best answer states that using an agent for export generally requires stamp duty, with the amount stated in the agency contract serving as the basis for taxation. Although basic regulations are nationally unified, there may be minor differences in implementation and collection in some regions. It is recommended to consult the local tax authorities.

How exactly are import safety valve agency fees calculated? Does anyone know?

The company plans to import safety valves and is looking for an agent, inquiring about the calculation method for import safety valve agency fees. The best answer states that agency fee calculation is complex; basic agency fees are generally charged at 1%-5% of the cargo value, and also involve customs declaration fees (around 300 - 800 RMB per declaration), transportation fees, document fees, warehousing fees, etc. It's essential to communicate clearly with a legitimate agent in advance regarding all fees.