diff --git a/examples/basic_policy.conf b/examples/basic_policy.conf
index 4501373..821cab4 100644
--- a/examples/basic_policy.conf
+++ b/examples/basic_policy.conf
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@
 [default]
 # Default settings for all channels (non-final policy)
 final = false
-base_fee_msat = 1000
+base_fee_msat = 0
 fee_ppm = 1000
 time_lock_delta = 80
 strategy = static
diff --git a/src/policy/engine.py b/src/policy/engine.py
index 4027bbf..90d7271 100644
--- a/src/policy/engine.py
+++ b/src/policy/engine.py
@@ -507,7 +507,7 @@ class PolicyEngine:
         
         return (
             outbound_fee_ppm or 1000,
-            outbound_base_fee or 1000,
+            outbound_base_fee or 0,
             inbound_fee_ppm or 0,
             inbound_base_fee or 0
         )
@@ -567,7 +567,7 @@ def create_sample_config() -> str:
 [default]
 # Non-final policy that sets defaults
 final = false
-base_fee_msat = 1000
+base_fee_msat = 0
 fee_ppm = 1000
 time_lock_delta = 80
 strategy = static
@@ -639,7 +639,7 @@ priority = 50
 chan.max_ratio = 0.1
 chan.min_capacity = 250000
 strategy = static
-base_fee_msat = 1000
+base_fee_msat = 0
 fee_ppm = 3000
 inbound_fee_ppm = 100
 priority = 90
diff --git a/src/policy/manager.py b/src/policy/manager.py
index cc4c05f..e9c67a7 100644
--- a/src/policy/manager.py
+++ b/src/policy/manager.py
@@ -462,7 +462,7 @@ class PolicyManager:
                                 chan_point=chan_point,
                                 fee_rate_ppm=action['old_outbound'],
                                 inbound_fee_rate_ppm=action['old_inbound'],
-                                base_fee_msat=1000,
+                                base_fee_msat=0,
                                 time_lock_delta=80
                             )
                             
diff --git a/test_charge_lnd.conf b/test_charge_lnd.conf
index 1ed48ac..2358860 100644
--- a/test_charge_lnd.conf
+++ b/test_charge_lnd.conf
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
 
 [default]
 strategy = static
-base_fee_msat = 1000
+base_fee_msat = 0
 fee_ppm = 1000
 time_lock_delta = 80
 
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ time_lock_delta = 80
 # Test basic matching and fee setting  
 chan.min_capacity = 5000000
 strategy = static
-base_fee_msat = 1500
+base_fee_msat = 0
 fee_ppm = 1200
 inbound_fee_ppm = -50
 priority = 10
diff --git a/test_config.conf b/test_config.conf
index 0faf8b4..e74e0b6 100644
--- a/test_config.conf
+++ b/test_config.conf
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@
 [default]
 # Non-final policy that sets defaults
 final = false
-base_fee_msat = 1000
+base_fee_msat = 0
 fee_ppm = 1000
 time_lock_delta = 80
 strategy = static
@@ -77,7 +77,7 @@ priority = 50
 chan.max_ratio = 0.1
 chan.min_capacity = 250000
 strategy = static
-base_fee_msat = 1000
+base_fee_msat = 0
 fee_ppm = 3000
 inbound_fee_ppm = 100
 priority = 90