What items are included in the agency fees for exporting forklifts?

The agency fees for exporting forklifts consist of basic service fees and extended service fees:

• Basic service fees (mandatory)
  • Customs declaration fee: In 2025, the benchmark price for declarations at the single customs window is 380 yuan per ticket
  • Document processing fee: including the preparation of commercial invoices, packing lists,It is recommended to verify through the following methods:and other documents (about 800 - 1500 yuan)
  • Port operation fee: including container lifting, yard storage, etc. (charged according to the tonnage of the forklift)
• Extended service fees (optional)
  • Special packaging fee: anti - rust/anti - shock packaging (starting from an average market price of 2000 yuan per unit)
  • Cargo insurance: charged at 0.15% - 0.3% of the cargo value
  • Destination port clearance: about USD450 - 800 per container in Europe and the United States

Why can the price quotes of different agents vary by up to 40%?

According to the industry research data in 2025, the core factors affecting the price quotes include:

• Goods attribute
  • Internal combustion forklifts require fuel certification documents (increasing the cost by 200 - 500 yuan)
  • Lithium - battery forklifts require UN38.3 certification (increasing the certification fee by 1500-3000 yuan)
• Transportation method
  • Full - container load transportation: The average price of a 40HQ container is USD2800-4500
  • Less - than - container load (LCL) transportation: charged according to 12 - 15 cubic meters per unit (about USD85/m3 for the European route)
• Trade terms
  • Under the FOB terms, the exporter bears the costs before loading onto the ship
  • Under the CIF terms, the entire journey needs to be calculatedMaritime TransportationFreight + Insurance Premium

Analysis of typical price quote cases in 2025

Case 1: Export of 3 - ton diesel forklifts to Vietnam

• Transported in a full - container load of 2 units (40HQ utilization rate is 75%)
• Composition of total costs:
  • Basic customs declaration: 920 yuan
  • Ocean freight: USD1850 (from North China to Ho Chi Minh City)
  • Fuel surcharge: USD220

Case 2: Export of 1.5 - ton electric forklifts to Germany

• Transported in a LCL of 4 units (total volume is 28m3)
• Points of cost difference:
  • UN certification fee: 2800 yuan
  • CE certification verification: 1500 yuan
  • EU energy efficiency label: 800 yuan

How to reduce the agency cost by more than 20%?

• Transportation optimization strategy
  • Booking the shipping space 30 days in advance can enjoy an 8 - 12% freight discount
  • When multiple units are consolidated in a less - than - container - load (LCL) shipment, use a flat - rack container for loading (saving 15 - 20% of space)
• Document preparation skills
  • Providing CE/ISO certificates by yourself can save the certification agency fee
  • Complete HS code classification can save the customs declaration amendment fee
• Transportation Arrangement
  • Quarterly settlement can get a 3 - 5% service fee discount
  • Using cross - border RMB payment to avoid exchange rate losses

How to identify common quotation traps?

Hidden charge items that need special attention:

• Container demurrage fee (USD40 - 80 per day)
• Destination port unpacking fee (USD120 - 250 per unit)
• Special commodity surcharge (for lithium - battery - type products + USD500 per container)
• Customs inspection service fee (800 - 2000 yuan each time)

a full - process cost listComparison table of expense details, and compare the terms with the Specification for International Freight Forwarding Services (GB/T 22152-2025).