Container Moving Charge refers to the fee incurred when a container needs to be moved from one location to another during container transportation due to cargo inspection, transshipment, storage adjustment, internal terminal handling, etc. This fee is usually charged by the terminal, yard, or shipping company, and is common in scenarios such as customs inspection, rebooking, customs withdrawal, and yard shifting. Usage scenarios include: when customs requires opening the container for inspection, the container must be moved from the yard to the inspection area; when the shipping company adjusts stowage, the container must be moved from one vessel to another; when the terminal moves containers due to changes in storage plans. Notes: Container Moving Charge is usually not included in the basic ocean freight and is an additional surcharge, so it is necessary to clarify who bears it (shipper, consignee, or freight forwarder); charging standards vary greatly among different ports and shipping companies, so it is recommended to confirm before booking; if it is incurred due to customs inspection, relevant proof should be kept for recovery from the responsible party. Difference from other terms: Container Moving Charge is different from Terminal Handling Charge (THC), which is a terminal handling fee; it is also different from drayage, which is the transport fee from port to warehouse. Container Moving Charge emphasizes the act of 'moving' itself, rather than loading/unloading or transportation.
📝 Examples
1. Due to a customs spot check, our container needs to be moved from the yard to the inspection area, and the terminal charged a container moving fee of RMB 500. Please confirm who should bear this cost. (Note: For container moving fees caused by customs inspection, the responsibility for the cost must be clarified.)
2. The shipping company temporarily adjusted the stowage plan and moved the container originally scheduled for the 'Ever Given' to the 'Ever Long', resulting in a container moving fee of USD 80 per container. (Note: Container moving fees arising from transshipment operations are usually borne by the shipping company or freight forwarder.)
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