Core Accounting Treatment Principles for Import Equipment Agency Fees

According to the latest revised Accounting Standards for Business Enterprises No. 4 - Fixed Assets in 2025, import equipment agency fees should be differentially treated based on the nature of the expenses:

• Procurement service fees: Customs declaration fees, transportation insurance fees, etc. should be included inoriginal value of fixed assets
• Agency service fees:Import RepresentationService fees and document processing fees are recommended to be included inadministrative expenses
• Special case handling: Agency fees incurred during equipment installation and debugging periods can be capitalized

Common operational errors warning for enterprises

Our audit practice reveals that 67% of enterprises have the following processing deviations:

• Confusion in the calculation basis of customs duty dutiable value
  • Incorrect operation: Including the full amount of agency fees in the dutiable value
  • Correct operation: Only including fees directly related to equipment transportation
• Improper VAT input tax deduction
  • Incorrect operation: Uniformly deducting at 13% tax rate
  • Correct operation: Differentiating between logistics 6%, agency 6%, and equipment 13% tax rates

Optimization solutions under 2025 customs new policies

Key control points in practical operations

It is recommended that enterprises establish a three-level expense collection system:

1. Clarify expense breakdowns during contract signing stage
   • Require agency companies to provide detailed quotation lists
   • Distinguish the proportion between trade service fees and technical service fees
2. Standardized voucher management
   • Request the agency company to issue a special VAT invoice
   • Maintain complete cost allocation documentation

Application recommendations for the latest tax policies

The Import Equipment Tax Management Measures implemented from 2025 clearly state:

• Smart customs declaration system integration costs are eligible for15% additional deductionPreferences
• Overseas technical certification agency fees applyCross-border service tax exemption policy
• The capitalization period for import equipment commissioning agency fees is shortened to90 days