Port Dues refer to the total of various fees paid to port authorities or relevant institutions when a ship enters or leaves a port or berths within the port, typically including tonnage dues, pilotage, tugboat fees, mooring/unmooring charges, wharfage, lighthouse dues, garbage disposal fees, etc. In foreign trade and shipping, port dues are an important component of voyage costs, usually borne by the shipowner or charterer according to charter party terms (e.g., FIOST, liner terms), and may be passed on to cargo interests through freight or surcharges. Usage scenarios are commonly seen in charter parties, liner bookings, port agency settlements, and demurrage calculations. Notes: Fee items and rates vary greatly among ports, so the responsible party should be confirmed in advance; port dues differ from 'Port Surcharge', which is an extra charge levied by the carrier on cargo interests, whereas port dues are actual service fees incurred at the port; additionally, port dues may be confused with 'Terminal Handling Charge' (THC), which usually refers to the cost of handling containers at the terminal, while port dues cover a broader scope.
📝 Examples
1. According to the charter party, port dues at the loading port, including pilotage and tugboat fees, shall be borne by the charterer. (Note: Clarifies the party responsible for port dues under the charter party)
2. When quoting, the freight forwarder reminded the client that port dues at the destination port must be paid by the consignee directly against the port authority's invoice to avoid late payment penalties. (Note: Reminds of payment responsibility and overdue risk)
💡 Foreign Trade Tips
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