Core components of import equipment agency fees

Professionalforeign tradeAgency service fees typically consist of three major components: basic service fees, tariff prepayment deposits, and logistics surcharges. After the implementation of the 2025 revised Customs Tariff, 23 adjustments were made to equipment classification rules, directly affecting tariff calculation benchmarks. Typical fee structures exhibit the following characteristics:

• Basic service fee: Accounts for 35%-45% of total fees, including basic services such as document processing, customs declaration, and compliance review
• Tariff deposit: 110%-130% prepayment of tariffs according to HS codes, with 3 new categories of equipment subject to provisional anti-dumping duties in 2025
• Logistics surcharges: Special transportation requirements (such as temperature-controlled equipment) incur 15%-20% additional fees

Identification and avoidance of common hidden costs

equipment. For example, Indonesia has the SNI certification, Thailand has the TISI certification, and the Philippines has the BPS certification. It is necessary to confirm in advance the equipment voltage (such as 380V/50Hz in Thailand), the compatibility of the CE certification, and the proof of environmentally friendly materials.Three typical hidden fees exist during the process and should be specifically noted in agency agreements:

• Port detention fees: Additional storage costs caused by documentation defects
  • Daily detention fees at major ports in 2025 increased to $85/cubic meter
• Technical certification surcharges: CE/FCC certification conversion service fees
• Exchange rate fluctuation compensation: Allocation of exchange rate losses exceeding agreed ranges

Professional negotiation strategies and cost control

Based on 500+ equipment import case studies, we recommend adopting a tiered bargaining strategy:

• Negotiate service fee caps for bulk equipment imports
• Combined service package discounts (logistics + customs clearance + tax refund) can reduce total costs by 12%-18%
• Require agencies to provide customs pre-ruling services (new free declaration item in 2025)

2025 tariff policy response solutions

For the 7-digit HS code adjustments in the new version of the Harmonized System, professional agencies should provide:

• HS code dual confirmation mechanism
• Provisional anti-dumping duty pre-declaration services
• Regional trade agreement tariff reduction applications (such as zero tariffs for 15 categories of equipment under RCEP)