Abstract: Integrating agricultural carbon sinks into horizontal carbon compensation is crucial for unlocking their value and enhancing regional ecological governance. In this study, carbon compensation credits were empirically calculated for inter-provincial horizontal compensation within each of the seven geographical regions in China. Using data on energy, agriculture, and other sectors from 31 provinces from 2005 to 2021, the"physical amount"of carbon compensation for each province was measured. By introducing carbon emissions into the trans-log production function and applying ridge regression, the shadow prices of carbon emissions were determined and adopted as compensation standards. Additionally, the"monetary amount"of carbon compensation for each province was also calculated and adjusted using the Pearl growth curve. The results are as follows: (1) Carbon emissions from energy consumption and the net agricultural carbon sinks in the seven geographical regions have shown increasing trends, with increases ranging from 35.6% to 241.2% for energy consumption and from 4.93% to 62.9% for agricultural carbon sinks. (2) The order of land carbon intensity, from highest to lowest, is as follows: East China > North China > South China > Central China > Northeast China > Southwest China > Northwest China, with values ranging from 362.3 to 2 441.5 t·km^-2. Significant differences exist in land carbon intensity across geographical regions, reflecting varying environmental pressures. (3) The shadow prices of carbon emissions are rising, ranging from 234.6 to 2 200.9 yuan·t^-1, with adjusted values ranging from 172.6 to 326.9 yuan·t^-1. (4) The total carbon compensation amounts have risen year by year across the seven geographical regions, ranked as follows: East China > North China > South China > Northeast China > Northwest China > Southwest China > Central China, ranging from 2.60 to 105.85 billion yuan, with increases ranging from 68.5% to 582.7%. (5) Provinces with high carbon payment or compensation intensities are concentrated in East China, North China, South China, and Northeast China. Shanxi, Shandong, Liaoning, Jiangsu, Guangdong, and Shaanxi are high-payment areas, while Jilin, Anhui, Jiangxi, Fujian, Guangxi, and Hainan are high-compensation areas in these geographical regions.