Handling Charge

Handling Charge refers to fees incurred during foreign trade logistics operations such as cargo handling, loading/unloading, sorting, and warehousing. It is usually separate from main freight charges like ocean freight or air freight, and is collected by freight forwarders, ports, airports, or warehouses from cargo owners. Usage scenarios include: Terminal Handling Charge (THC), airport ground handling fees, warehouse loading/unloading fees, container devanning fees, LCL handling fees, etc. Notes: Handling charges are sometimes already included in the freight quotation, and sometimes require additional payment; when signing contracts, the allocation of costs must be clearly specified. Handling charge standards vary greatly across different ports and freight forwarders, which can easily lead to hidden costs. Handling charges differ from freight and surcharges (such as bunker adjustment factor and peak season surcharge) in that they target specific operational actions rather than transport distance or time. They overlap with but are not equivalent to 'terminal charges' or 'loading/unloading fees': terminal charges specifically refer to fees collected by ports, while handling charges have a broader scope. It is recommended to list handling charges separately in quotations to avoid subsequent disputes.