Administrative Fee/ B/LFee/ DocFee (available in other notation):
fees for paperwork. This service covers the creation and processing of all standard transport documents (e.g. B/l or Delivery Order etc). Usually applied per Bill of Lading/ Transport Document.
All in rate:
meaning that the cost of transportation includes all the additional fees provided for under the conditions of carriage. For example, in the case of freight under LILO, this means that in the U.S., except for freight, loading and unloading, also includes all related costs, such as BAF, CAF, etc.
Arbitrary Destination (DPA):
service of providing carrier transport of cargo from a Primary port (Base port) to a secondary port (Arbitrary port / destination port) by feeder or barge. Applicable to all destination ports defined as 'Arbitrary Ports' in a Base Rate tariff.
Basic Ocean Freight (BAS/OF):
this covers the service of transportation of cargo from the first port of loading to the last port of discharge. It is applicable to all shipments. Applied per container
Basic Service Rate Additional (BSRA):
is the charge levied by shipping companies to importers for LCL cargo, including the port charges, transport to an unpacking depot (see CFS) subsequent sorting and storage of the goods and finally loading onto a vehicle collecting the goods for delivery to the buyer.
Bunker Adjustment Factor (BAF):
an adjustment to shipping companies' freight rates to take into account fluctuations in the cost of fuel oil (bunkers) for their ships.
Carrier Security Service (ISPS/SEC/SER):
a service provided by the carrier to perform due diligence in maintaining vessel security compliant to the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code (ISPS Code) which is a comprehensive set of measures to enhance the security of ships and port facilities. This service is applicable to all shipments. Applied per container.
Change of Destination Service (COD):
this is a service provided by carrier upon the customers request to amend the destination/delivery after a container is gated in at the port of origin, but prior to the arrival at the port of discharge.
This service will not apply in the following scenarios:
  • Return shipment,
  • Re-export,
  • Inland change request,
  • Extending inland haulage (Imports process).
Applied per container.
Charge for nomination for inspection:
the rate for work on putting the container on the ground clearance (Customs, health, etc.). Charged at the rate the port, in fact.
Container Cleaning Fee (CCL):
this fee covers the additional costs for extra or special cleaning and is applicable when the container does not meet the standard cleanliness criteria (inside and outside) upon empty return from the customer. This service of additional cleaning of the container may also be triggered by customer request. Applied per container.
Currency Adjustment Factor (CAF):
is an adjustment to shipping companies' freight rates to take into account the effect over time of fluctuations in currency exchange rates.
Demurrage penalties/demurrage fee (DMR):
this fee is applicable when the customer holds carrier equipment in the terminal for longer than the agreed amount of free time. It can be incurred for both exports (early drop-off) and imports (late pick-up). Export: demurrage days are counted from containers removal to terminal (full) to container loading, minus free days. Import: demurrage days are counted from container discharge to its removal from terminal (full), minus free days. Applicable to all containers that remain at a terminal location longer than agreed free time. Applied per container.
Detention penalties/detention fee (DET for import/DTS for export):
import: imposed for excess usage container since its removal from the terminal (full) until the return of empty containers at the port, minus free days. Export: counted from pick-up empty to removal to terminal (full) minus free days. This fee is applicable to all containers that remain in the customers possession longer than the agreed free time. Not applicable for shipper owned containers.
Electronic Data Interchange Fee (EDI):
this fee is generated when the carrier arranges submission of electronic data, on behalf of the customer, to ports / Customs or other Government entities. The fee is applied based upon the customers request. Exception: In Greece and Israel, this fee is mandatory and will be applied to all shipments. Applied per Bill of Lading (B/L) / Transport Document (TPdoc).
Emergency Risk Surcharge (ERS):
this fee covers additional costs faced by the carrier when moving cargo in dangerous regions including those that are threatened by hazards, violence or piracy.The charge covers extra bunker cost (due to longer routing and/or faster sailing), insurance coverage, and additional security measures. The fee will be applied to bookings that are from, to or transited through the affected areas.
Freight Collection Fee (CLF):
the fee applied when the carrier:
  • Collects freight charges locally,
  • Collects freight charges in a local currency.
The fee is applied to all shipments and is set by local authorities which means this fee may apply to both import or export shipments.
Since this fee is mandated by local authorities, the charge may take the form of a fixed fee or a percentage of the total freight.
Applied per Bill of Lading (B/L) / Transport Document (TPdoc) or Applied per container or Applied as a percentage of freight.
Fumigation Service (FUM):
the service of fumigating /de-fumigating cargo when requested by the customer or when it is a legal requirement. Written confirmation that fumigation/defumigation has been performed is provided to the customer via their preferred communication method. Applied per container.
Heavy Weight Charge/ Heavy Weight Service (HWS):
this service covers the additional operational expenses incurred for handling heavy cargo that weighs more than the standard limit for a shipment. The carrier can provide this service as long as the cargo does not weigh more than the legal safety limit. This service is applicable to heavy weight shipments that are within legal limits allowed for transport. These limits may vary among the countries. Usually 20ft containers exceeding the weight of 14,000 kg tare (container) are subject to a heavy weight surcharge. An empty 20ft container weighs approximately 2,300 kg. 40ft containers are not subject to a heavy weight surcharge. Both 20ft and 40ft containers can carry a load of more than 28,000 kg.
IMO surcharge:
is applied when transporting goods classified by the UN as hazardous (in accordance with the IMDG code (International Marine Dangerous Goods code)) , the shipping company imposes a surcharge on the sea freight. This relates to the additional handling required for planning the goods at the terminal and onboard the ship.
General rate increase (GRI):
planned increase of a base rate from a certain date.
Merchant Haulage Service (MHH):
service of coordinating 3rd party logistics services (Merchant Haulage arrangements) on behalf of the customer. This service is applied based upon the customer's request for the carrier to coordinate inland haulage on a merchant haulage Bill of Lading. The customer holds the contract with the haulage provider. The carrier can refuse to offer this service.
Panama Canal Fee (PCC):
a fee to cover the costs associated with transit of the Panama Canal. This fee is applicable to all shipments moving through the Panama Canal. Applied per Container.
Pick-Up/Drop-Off Service (PIO):
a service provided by the carrier to allow the pick-up or drop-off of empty containers at an alternate container depot than the one stated on the Bill of Lading is Place of Receipt / Place of Delivery, where merchant haulage is involved. The service is applied upon request from the customer and when it is operationally feasible for the carrier. Applied per Container.
Peak Season Surcharge (PSS):
this fee remains in effect for the duration of a typical Peak Season. This is a seasonal fee applied during high volume shipping periods in certain trades. The fee is applicable to all shipments that move in these trades during the high volume periods.
Port Security (PSI for import/PSE for export):
a service to maintain port security compliant to the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code (ISPS Code) which is a comprehensive set of measures to enhance the security of ships and port facilities. The service is applied to origin/export as well as destination/import shipments. The ISPS Code is a global initiative and part of SOLAS (the international convention for the Safety of Life at Sea) and constitutes a legal obligation for the contracting parties to follow. Applied per Container.
Rates for additional operations:
the rates for any port is not provided for in the usual way of handling container (repacking, weighing, sealing, labeling, etc.). Charged at the rate the port, in fact.
Storage:
the rate for excess storage of cargo at the port. Is calculated from the moment of unloading at the terminal until the time of export from the terminal. Charged are charged at port rates. Usually quoted for TEU, s increasing the scale (longer the carrier is in port, the more expensive each day of storage).
Suez Canal Fee (SCC/STT):
a fee to cover the costs associated with transiting the Suez Canal. This fee is applicable to all shipments moving through the Suez Canal. Applied per Container.
Switch Transport Document Service (SWC):
this service is provided by the carrier to 'switch' transport documents (B/L's) to show new parties by issuing a 2nd set of documents. A 'switch' is used to prevent the shipper from being visible to the buyer and protects the interests of the cargo intermediary. The service is applicable upon the customers request for this service.
T1 Documentation Fee (T1 Doc/T1D):
this fee is applied to cover the costs related to issuing T1 documents. T1 documents are required for European Union tax regulations when transporting non-community goods between two locations in the EU Customs area. This fee is applicable for all European Union shipments and allows taxes to be suspended until the cargo reaches its final destination. Applied per T1D document issued.
Electronic Cargo Release Service (TLX):
this service is also known as a 'Telex-release' and allows the cargo to be released at destination upon proof of identity of the receiver as consignee, provided all 3 original B/L's have been surrendered by the consignee, or an authorized agent of the consignee, at another carriers office location. In order to allow this all 3 original B/L's must be surrendered at another carriers office location (not the discharge port). The carrier will add this service to the shipment, once the B/L's have been surrendered. This service is applied upon the customer's request. Applied per Bill of Lading (B/L) / transport document.
Terminal handling charge (THC):
levied by CY and CFS operators for goods passing through their operations. THC are additional costs, on top of the sea freight, charged by the shipping company for the handling of containers at the container terminal before being loaded onboard a vessel. Examples include the unloading of the container from a truck, stacking and transport from the stacking location to just below the crane. This concerns FCL (Full Container Load) shipments.
Terminal Handling Service Destination (DTHC/DHC):
this service covers the cost of handling a container at the destination port or terminal. This service is applicable to all shipments. Applied per container.
Terminal Handling Service Origin (OTHC/OHC):
this service covers the cost of handling a container at the origin port or terminal. This service is applicable to all shipments. Applied per container Origin.
Value Added Tax (VAT):
the carrier pays Value Added Tax (VAT) to local authorities, and this cost is charged to the customer. Applicable to all shipments where VAT payment is a market practice. Applied per Bill of Lading (B/L) / transport document.
Waiting Time Fee (WTI):
this fee is applied to shipments when trucks have to wait due to customer delays. This fee is applicable whenever trucks are not able to depart from a customers depot at the planned time.
Wharfage Fee (WFC):
this fee is assessed by a port authority or port operator to the carrier for the usage of a port's wharf. The fee is then charged back to the customer in order to provide transparency and to share the costs. This fee will be applicable to shipments moving to/from port terminals that charge wharfage fees. Applied per Container.
Winter Surcharge (WSC):
is imposed for all containers to cover extra costs related to serving the port due to harsh weather, convoy restrictions, ice conditions etc. This surcharge is only effective during winter season. Applied per container.