A
- Additional Handling Charge (AHC)
- Applied to packages that need special handling because of their size, weight or packaging.
- Advance Charges
- Fees a carrier pays on the customer's behalf, like port or terminal fees, then bills back on the invoice.
B
- Bunker Adjustment Factor (BAF)
- A fuel-cost surcharge applied to ocean freight rates, fluctuating with bunker fuel prices.
C
- Chassis Split Fee
- Charged when a container and the chassis moving it are positioned at different locations, requiring an extra move to unite them.
- Congestion Surcharge
- Applied when port or terminal congestion adds cost or delay to standard operations.
- Currency Adjustment Factor (CAF)
- A surcharge that offsets exchange-rate fluctuations on international ocean freight.
D
- Demurrage
- A fee charged when a container isn't picked up from the port within the allotted free time.
- Detention
- A fee charged when a container isn't returned to the carrier within the allotted free time after leaving the port.
- Documentation Fee
- Covers the administrative cost of preparing shipping and customs documents.
E
- Export Service Fee
- Covers administrative processing for outbound customs filings and carrier documentation.
- Extended Free Time
- A paid option that pushes back the date demurrage or detention charges start accruing.
F
- Free Time
- The number of days a container can sit at a terminal, or with the consignee, before storage, demurrage or detention charges begin.
- Fuel Surcharge (FSC)
- A variable charge that adjusts freight pricing for ground and air moves based on current fuel costs.
G
- General Rate Increase (GRI)
- A broad rate increase applied by carriers across a trade lane, typically announced in advance.
H
- Hazmat Fee
- An additional charge for handling and documenting hazardous or regulated cargo.
- Heavy Lift Charge
- Applied when cargo exceeds standard weight limits and requires special equipment to load or unload.
I
- Import Service Fee
- Covers administrative processing for inbound customs filings and carrier documentation.
- Inside Delivery Fee
- Charged when delivery requires moving cargo beyond the truck, into a building or to a specific floor.
L
- Late Payment Fee
- Applied to invoices not paid within the agreed payment terms.
- Liftgate Fee
- Charged when a shipment needs a liftgate to load or unload without a loading dock.
N
- No-Show Fee
- A charge applied when booked cargo doesn't arrive for loading within the required window before departure.
O
- Out-of-Gauge Surcharge
- Applied to cargo exceeding standard container dimensions, requiring special handling or equipment.
- Overweight Surcharge
- Applied when a shipment exceeds the standard weight limit for its mode of transport.
P
- Peak Season Surcharge (PSS)
- An additional charge applied during high-demand shipping periods when capacity is tight.
- Pre-Pull Fee
- Charged when a container is pulled from the port ahead of the scheduled pickup appointment to avoid demurrage.
R
- Re-Delivery Fee
- Charged when a delivery attempt fails and a second attempt is required.
- Residential Delivery Fee
- Applied when the delivery address is a private residence rather than a commercial location.
- Reweigh Fee
- Charged when a shipment's actual weight is verified and differs from what was originally declared.
S
- Security Surcharge
- Covers costs related to mandatory cargo security screening and compliance programs.
- Storage Fee
- Charged when cargo remains at a warehouse or terminal beyond the agreed free period.
T
- Terminal Handling Charge (THC)
- Covers the cost of handling a container at the origin or destination port terminal.
- Transshipment Fee
- Applied when cargo must move through an intermediate port or hub before reaching its final destination.
W
- Waiting Time Fee
- Charged when a truck driver is held at pickup or delivery beyond the standard free waiting period.
- Weight Break
- The shipment weight at which the price per unit drops to a lower rate, making it cheaper to round up to the next bracket.
Still have questions?
Send us a message and we'll take it from there.