Charge name 

Included? 

Definition 

Charge unit 

Also known as 

Automated Manifest System (AMS) filing 

Yes 

Cost of processing and managing electronic manifest data for your container(s). 

Per Bill of Lading (B/L) 

Chassis usage fee 

Origin: No 

Destination: Yes, see your NRA for the number of free days included at destination. 

Fee for a chassis for transporting containers. See your NRA for the number of free days included at destination. 

Per-day basis. 

Chassis rental charge 

Clean truck fee 

Yes 

Fee for any trucks used to transport goods that are not zero-emission. 

Per truck. 

Documentation fee 

Yes 

Charges for processing documents related to the shipment. 

Per Bill of Lading (B/L).  

Doc fee or Processing fee 

Origin detention and demurrage charges 

Yes: Free days for origin detention and demurrage varies by location. See your NRA for details. 

Fees for extended use of the container at the terminal beyond the allowed free time. 

Per container, per day, after the "free time" period has expired. The charge varies based on the port, see your NRA for charge rates. 

Charge total: The total detention/demurrage time that exceeds the free time. Charge amounts are applied according to WMSC's tariff filing rules. 

Storage charges or Quay rent 

Destination detention and demurrage charges 

Yes: Free days for destination detention and demurrage varies by location. See your NRA for details. 

Fees for extended use of the container at the terminal beyond the allowed free time. 

Per container, per day, after the "free time" period has expired. The charge varies based on the port, see your NRA for charge rates. 

Charge total: The total detention/demurrage time that exceeds the free time. Charge amounts are applied according to WMSC's tariff filing rules. 

Destination dray 

Yes 

The cost of transporting freight from the port to the destination. 

Based on distance, timing, equipment needed, carrier type, packaging type, weight and special handling requirements. 

Dray fuel surcharge 

Yes 

Fee to cover the fluctuating cost of fuel used for dray. 

Difference between original and updated fuel price divided by the vehicle MPG, then multiplied by total distance. 

Environmental fuel fee (EFF) 

Yes 

An ocean carrier surcharge to cargo owners to offset the increased cost of using cleaner fuels with lower sulfur content. 

Percentage per ton, set by carrier. 

Fuel surcharge 

Yes 

Fee charged by transport companies to cover the fluctuating costs of different types of fuel for multiple transportation modes. 

Typically calculated as a percentage of the base fuel rate. Can also be a flat rate. 

Ocean freight 

Yes 

The cost of the actual transport of goods by sea. Rail transport on the route is included in your estimate. 

Per container, based on container size and port.  

Sea freight or Marine freight 

Pier pass 

Yes 

A program at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach that charges a fixed Traffic Mitigation Fee (TMF) on import and export containers to reduce congestion and improve air quality by encouraging off-peak cargo movement. 

Per container. 

Port security fees 

Yes 

Fee that covers the costs of maintaining and enforcing the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code. 

Rate set by carrier based on required security level of cargo. 

Importer Security Filing (ISF) 

Yes 

Fee for security filing required by US CBP for ocean freight shipments. Required prior to departure. 

Per shipment. 

Terminal Handling Charge (THC) 

Yes 

Fees charged by the terminal for loading and unloading containers. 

Per container. 

Wharfage 

Verified Gross Mass (VGM) filing 

Yes 

Fee for filing VGM documentation, to ensure safe stowage and weight distribution on the vessel. 

Per container. 

Bill of lading fee 

Yes 

Cost of issuing a bill of lading, a document issued by a carrier acknowledging receipt of cargo. 

Per Bill of Lading (B/L). 

B/L Fee or BOL Fee 

Bunker Adjustment Factor (BAF) 

Yes 

An ocean shipping industry surcharge for fuel cost fluctuations that is calculated based on bunker fuel prices and adjusted periodically. 

Per Twenty-foot Equivalent Unit (TEU) or per container. 

Fuel adjustment factor or Bunker surcharge 

Security charge 

Yes 

Fees associated with security measures taken at ports. 

Per shipment. May be per kilogram or per piece, depending on terms and conditions set by the shipping or freight company. 

Security fee or Security surcharge 

Charge name 

Included? 

Definition 

Charge unit 

Also known as 

Destination customs clearance 

No 

Costs related to the clearance of goods through customs. Does not include duties, taxes and fees. 

Typically per shipment or per customs entry. 

Brokerage fee 

Duty & taxes 

No 

Import/export taxes imposed by the government. 

Duty is often calculated as a percentage of the declared value of the goods. The specific calculation method depends on the type of goods and the tariff regulations of the country they are being imported into. 

Customs duty or Import duty 

Duty outlay service charge 

(disbursement fee) 

No 

Fee charged by the customs broker to process duty outlay. 

Depends on customs broker, usually a percentage of the duty charge.  

Extra Load/overweight surcharge 

No 

Charges for containers exceeding the weight limit. 

The weight of the cargo. 

Overweight penalty or Heavy weight charge 

Fumigation fees 

No 

Costs for fumigation of the container, if required by customs. 

Depends on the circumstances and requirements of the shipment. Often required for certain types of goods, especially agricultural products. 

Pest control charges or Disinfection charges 

Origin inland transportation 

No 

Costs related to the transportation of the container to the port. 

Can be calculated on a per mile/kilometer basis, or at a flat rate depending on the distance. Some carriers may also charge based on the weight (per kilogram or ton) or volume (per cubic meter) of the shipment. 

Haulage or Trucking 

Insurance 

No 

Cost of insuring the goods during transport. 

Based on the value of the goods being shipped, and the type of coverage needed. 

Cargo insurance or Freight insurance 

Miscellaneous fees 

No 

Any other fees not included, such as fees for special documentation, handling of hazardous materials, etc. 

These can vary widely depending on various factors such as the type of goods being transported, the shipping method, and the start and end points of the journey. 

Local origin charges 

No 

Fees related to the handling of containers at the origin or destination ports. 

These charges can vary widely depending on the specific ports and countries involved in the shipment. It's important for shippers to fully understand these charges in advance to avoid unexpected costs. 

Pick up/drop off charges 

Port congestion surcharge 

No 

Additional charges when a port is congested, and ships are forced to wait for a berth. 

Typically based on either container size (per Twenty-foot Equivalent Unit (TEU) or Forty-foot Equivalent Unit (FEU) or per bill of lading. 

Congestion fee 

Quarantine inspection charges 

No 

Fees for any quarantine inspections required by customs. 

Typically per shipment. May be based on the weight or size of the shipment, or the time it takes to inspect. 

Quarantine fees 

Seal fee 

No 

Cost for the seal of the container. 

Per container. 

Warehousing 

No 

Fees for storage of the container at a warehouse if necessary. 

Per day, per pallet, per square meter or per cubic meter. 

Storage fee