Seal Fee

Seal Fee is a common surcharge in foreign trade logistics, referring to the fee charged by shipping lines, terminals, or carriers for affixing a seal (usually a high-security bolt seal) to a cargo container. The seal is used to lock the container doors, ensuring that the cargo is not illegally opened or swapped during transit, and is an important part of customs supervision and supply chain security. This fee is usually paid by the shipper at the port of loading, but may also be borne by the consignee at the port of destination, depending on the trade term (e.g., under FOB it is often paid by the shipper, under CIF it may already be included in the freight). Note: Seal Fee is different from Lead Seal Fee, which is mostly used for ordinary seals; it is also different from Customs Seal Fee, which is a regulatory seal applied by customs and may cost more. In practice, the seal fee is often listed together with document fees, terminal handling charges (THC), etc., in the local charges list. The amount is relatively small (about USD 5-20 per container), but it must be clearly stated in the quotation whether it is included to avoid disputes with customers. In addition, if the seal is damaged or lost, a replacement will incur extra charges and may affect customs clearance.