I.Agency export,What are the basic chargeable items included in the frit?

The fee structure of a professional agency typically includes the following core items:

• Basic Service Costs: Charged at 0.8%–1.5% of the cargo value (special rate applies to the ceramic raw materials category)
• customs clearanceInspection Application Fee: Including commodity inspection / hazardous chemicals declaration (frit HS code subject to special supervision)
• Logistics Transportation Fees: Includes domestic transportation, port handling, and international freight charges
• Cost of Document Processing: Document services such as CO/invoice authentication (requirements are particularly stringent in the Middle East)
• Risk surcharge: Special handling fee for nitride components (subject to specific component ratios)

II. Why do quotes from different agencies vary so significantly?

Industry data for 2025 shows that export quotations for frit agents of the same cargo value can differ by as much as 30%, primarily constrained by:

• Differences in service scope:
  • Include or notExport tax refundPayment of services
  • Hazardous Chemical Transportation Qualification Level (UN Certification Category)
• Business Operating Costs:
  • Port VIP Lane Access
  • Long-term freight rate agreement with the cooperative carrier

III. Which method of calculating frit agency fees is more reasonable?

According to the "Guidelines for Export Services of Special Chemical Products" issued by the General Administration of Customs in 2024, it is recommended to adopt a hybrid billing model:

• Cargo value ratio + fixed fee: 1% of the cargo value + a base handling fee of RMB 2,000
• a stepped charging standard: For goods valued under USD 500,000, the rate is 1.2%; for the portion exceeding USD 500,000, the rate is 0.8%.
• Additional charge for special circumstances: An additional safety-handling fee of RMB 500 per ton will be charged for the nitrified frit.

IV. How to Effectively Reduce Agency Export Costs?

Based on ceramic raw material export cases from the past three years, four optimization strategies are recommended:

• Packaging standardization: Using UN-certified packaging to reduce inspection rates (can save 10% in demurrage fees)
• Optimization of Filing Strategy: Skillfully apply the declaration technique of breaking down frit compositions
• Transportation batch consolidation: A freight discount is available upon reaching a full 20GP container load.
• Long-term agreement lock-in: Rates for annual orders exceeding 500 tons are negotiable

V. What new charges will be introduced for frit exports in 2025?

Special attention should be paid to the cost changes brought about by the three new industry regulations:

• The carbon tariffsPre-registration fee: New Reporting Items Under the EU CBAM Mechanism
• Electronic Traceability Label Fee: New anti-counterfeiting labeling requirements added to GCC certification in the Middle East
• Transportation Monitoring Equipment Fee: Mandatory installation of GPS temperature-control devices for hazardous chemicals

Extended Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I handle some of the procedures myself to reduce the cost?
A: In theory, you could handle the commodity inspection and other steps on your own, but since frit is listed in the Catalogue of Hazardous Chemicals (2025 edition), it is recommended to entrust a qualified agency that holds a Dangerous-Goods Packaging Certificate to manage the entire process.

Q: Does the agency fee include a VAT special invoice?
A: A legitimate agency company can issue a 6% special VAT invoice (under the modern services category), but the 11% transportation fee invoice related to frit shipping needs to be confirmed separately.

Q: How are fees calculated if customs inspection occurs?
A: Demurrage and storage charges arising from routine inspections (not due to subjective fault) are generally borne by the agency company, but special inspections for frit (such as composition testing) must be settled based on the actual costs incurred.

Q: Does the payment cycle affect the fee structure?
A: A 2% fee discount applies for full payment in advance via TT; payment by L/C incurs an additional 0.5% risk margin.