Export agency service fee is among the key factors businesses need to consider when choosing a service provider. However, fees may vary between providers depending on the shipment value, type of goods, and scope of services. So, how are these fees calculated, what costs do they include, and how can businesses estimate an appropriate budget before exporting?
1. What Is an Export Agency Service Fee?
An export agency service fee is the remuneration (service charge) paid by the principal (manufacturer or cargo owner) to the appointed export agent (Export Entrustment Company) for handling all or part of the procedures required to export goods overseas on the principal’s behalf.
General formula:
Export Agency Service Fee = Percentage Rate (%) × Total Value of the Consigned Shipment
2. How Much Does an Export Agency Service Cost Today?
In the market, export agency service fees are generally calculated as a percentage of the shipment value or as a fixed fee per shipment. The actual rate depends on the service provider’s pricing policy, transaction size, and operational complexity.
Reference Export Agency Service Fee Rates in the Market
| Shipment Value | Reference Fee |
| Below VND 100 million | Approximately 3% |
| From VND 100–200 million | Approximately 2% |
| Above VND 200 million | Approximately 1% |
| Charged per shipment | Approximately VND 7 million/shipment |
Note: The figures above are for reference purposes only and can help businesses prepare an initial budget. They are not standard rates applicable to all service providers. Businesses should request a direct quotation from the appointed export agent before signing a contract, as actual fees may vary considerably depending on the type of goods and scope of work.
3. Factors Affecting Export Agency Service Fee
Export agency service fees depend on several factors, not just the value of the goods. Businesses should consider the following aspects to understand how fees are calculated and plan their budgets accordingly:
- Shipment value and volume: High-value shipments may qualify for lower service fee percentages, while smaller shipments may be subject to a minimum fee.
- Type of goods: Goods requiring export licenses, quarantine procedures, or specialized inspections generally involve additional processing time and documentation costs.
- Export market and transportation method: Documentation requirements, rules of origin, and transportation methods for each destination market can affect the overall export cost.
- Scope of agency services: Service packages covering customs declarations, document processing, or export license applications may have different fees from basic export agency services.
4. Example of How to Estimate Export Agency Service Fee
Suppose a business has a shipment valued at VND 300 million, exported by sea, and receives a quotation from a service provider with an export agency fee of 1.5%. The estimated costs are illustrated below:
| Cost Item | Estimated Cost |
| Shipment value | VND 300,000,000 |
| Export agency service fee (1.5%) | VND 4,500,000 |
| Freight and related charges | VND 15,000,000 |
| Additional documentation and processing costs | VND 2,000,000 |
| Total estimated costs excluding goods value | VND 21,500,000 |
Note: The figures above are provided solely to illustrate the budgeting process and do not represent actual market quotations. Actual costs depend on the shipping route, delivery terms, and scope of services. The table does not include any additional taxes or charges that may arise.
This example shows that export agency service fees account for only part of the overall export budget. Therefore, when comparing service providers, businesses should evaluate the estimated total cost and clearly identify which items are already included in each quotation.
5. What Costs Are Included in the Total Export Expenses?
To avoid underestimating their budgets, businesses should request a detailed breakdown of each expense rather than asking only about the export agency service fee.
- Export agency service fee: The amount paid to the appointed export agent under the service contract.
- Freight charges: Domestic and international transportation costs, depending on the shipping method and route.
- Customs and documentation fees: Customs declaration, document processing, and related service charges if they are not included in the agency service package.
- Licensing and specialized inspection fees: Additional costs incurred when goods are subject to relevant regulatory requirements.
- Warehousing and surcharges: Charges that may arise from cargo storage, container detention, or changes to delivery and collection schedules.
- Taxes and service invoice charges: Applicable taxes and other related charges in accordance with relevant regulations and contractual terms.
Not every shipment incurs all the costs listed above. Businesses should determine their actual expenses based on the type of goods, delivery terms, transportation contract, and scope of services.
>>> Read more: Import Entrustment Fee: Calculation and Cost Breakdown
6. When Should Businesses Hire an Export Agency Service?
Businesses without a dedicated import-export department or sufficient experience in handling international trade procedures may encounter difficulties when preparing documents, submitting customs declarations, and controlling expenses. In such cases, Export Entrustment Services offer a practical solution, providing professional support, minimizing procedural errors, and helping businesses maintain control over delivery schedules.
Truong Thanh Logistics provides import and export agency services, supporting businesses with documentation, customs procedures, and shipment coordination based on their actual requirements.
With a team of more than 100 experienced professionals, offices in Hanoi, Hai Phong, Da Nang, and Ho Chi Minh City, together with a network of over 200 international agents, Truong Thanh Logistics can coordinate shipments to various international markets.
To receive advice on a suitable service arrangement, businesses should provide information about the type of goods, shipment value, export destination, and delivery terms. Based on these requirements, Truong Thanh Logistics will determine the appropriate scope of services, recommend an implementation plan, and provide a detailed quotation, helping businesses estimate their export expenses before proceeding.
Frequently Asked Questions About Export Agency Service Fee
Question 1: What percentage of the shipment value does an export agency service fee usually account for?
The reference rate is generally around 1–3% of the shipment value, depending on the service provider’s pricing policy, transaction size, and procedural complexity. Some providers charge a fixed fee per shipment instead of applying a percentage-based rate.
Question 2: How can businesses obtain an accurate quotation for export agency services?
Businesses should provide information about the type of goods, shipment value, export destination, transportation method, and documentation requirements. If the goods are subject to specialized inspections or require export licenses, these requirements should be communicated from the beginning so that the service provider can calculate the full costs.
Question 3: Can export agency service fee be recorded as business expenses?
Yes. Export agency service fees may qualify as deductible expenses when calculating corporate income tax (CIT), provided that all applicable requirements are met, including valid supporting documents, a service contract, non-cash payment where required, and expenses serving legitimate business purposes.
Question 4: Should businesses choose the export agency with the lowest service fee?
Not necessarily. Businesses should consider the scope of services, experience in handling export documentation, pricing transparency, and the provider’s responsibilities when unexpected issues arise. It is advisable to prioritize providers offering transparent costs and suitable services rather than choosing solely based on the lowest fee.
Export agency service fees depend on shipment value, the characteristics of the goods, and the scope of services offered by each provider. To control budgets and minimize unexpected expenses, businesses should carefully review quotations and clearly define the responsibilities of each party before signing a contract.
If you need advice on a suitable export agency arrangement, contact Truong Thanh Logistics and send us your shipment details for a tailored cost estimate.
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