I. What items are included in the basic service fee of a freight forwarder?

standardsExport AgencyThe fee usually includes:

• Basic?Ocean shipping?Fees(billed by FCL or LCL)
• Customs declaration service fee(including document preparation, customs declaration)
• Document Processing Fee(bill of lading fee, certificate of origin, etc.)
• : THC (Terminal Handling Charge), document fee, seal fee, port construction fee, etc. These fees are like Russian nesting dolls. If youre not careful, new charging items will pop up(THC/terminal handling charge)
• Basic transport insurance(some freight forwarders include basic insurance types)

II. How is sea freight calculated? What is the difference between FCL and LCL?

The mainstream pricing methods in 2025:

• Full Container Load (FCL): Charged by container type (20GP/40HQ, etc.)
  • e.g., Southeast Asian routes 20GP approx. $800-$1200
• Less than Container Load (LCL): Billed by the greater of volumetric weight or actual weight
  • Billing formula: Length(m) × Width(m) × Height(m) × 1000 ÷ Volumetric factor (usually 6)

III. What surcharges are easily overlooked?

New fees to pay special attention to in 2025:

• Low Sulphur Surcharge (LSS): New environmental regulations from the International Maritime Organization
• Data declaration fee: Upgrades to various countries' customs electronic declaration systems
• Special packaging fee: Involving special cargo such as dangerous goods/fragile items
• Anti-terrorism security fee: Key monitored routes such as the US and EU

IV. How is the chargeable weight determined?

Freight forwarders use thegreater of the two principle for billing:

• Volumetric weight (CBM) > Actual weight: Billed by volumetric weight
• Volumetric weight (CBM) ≤ Actual weight: Billed by actual gross weight
• Special categories (such as steel) may useper-piece billing

V. Is the customs declaration fee included in the quote?

Three situations to pay special attention to:

• Normal customs declaration: Usually included in the basic service fee
• customs inspection: An additional inspection service fee is incurred (approx. ￥500-2000)
• Special supervision zone: Customs declaration for bonded zones/free trade zones is billed separately

VI. How is the cargo insurance fee calculated?

It is recommended to purchaseSeparate transport insurance:

• Premium = Cargo value × Rate (usually 0.1%-0.3%)
• Special attentionwar risk insurance/Strike RiskAdditional clauses
• In 2025, it is recommended to insure againstcyber attacks(to cover electronic document risks)

VII. Who is responsible for the destination port fees?

It must be clearly stated in the contract:

• FOB terms: The buyer is responsible for the destination port fees
• CIF terms: The seller needs to pay the basic unloading fee
• DDP terms: Includes all customs clearance and taxes

VIII. What fees are incurred for a return shipment?

Example of return shipment cost composition:

• Return freight: 150%-200% of the original freight
• Port demurrage：$50-$200/天
• Customs fine: 10%-30% of the cargo value
• Destruction fee(in extreme cases): approx. ￥3000/cubic meter

IX. How to compare quotes from different freight forwarders?

Price comparison checklist:

• Exchange Rate Lock - in: Confirm the quote currency and exchange rate base date
• Validity Period: Sea freight rates are usually valid for 7-15 days
• Hidden Costs: Compare miscellaneous fees such as telex release fees/amendment fees
• Service response: Assessment of emergency handling capabilities

X. How to effectively reduce freight costs?

Practical advice for 2025:

• Intelligent booking system: Lock in space 45 days in advance
• Packaging optimization: Reducing the volume by 15% can lower the freight cost
• Consolidated shipping: Consolidate with 3 or more peers
• Tariff planning: Reasonably use the RCEP agreement tariff rates