Waytron has a long-term and stable relationship with many carriers. With our strong strength, professional team, scientific system and sound network, Waytron can provide our customers with one-stop global logistics services, which are now can be involved in many countries such as USA, Canada, Europe, Australia and southeast Asia, and so on. Waytron can handle FCL, LCL, and special shipments, also providing reliable SOC service and competitive rates for TP trades, especially to USA and Canada inland locations, such as Dallas, El Paso, Portland, Houston, Calgary and Winnipeg.
Waytron Overseas Department is in charge of working with the overseas agents, including D/O, Customs Clearance, Door Delivery and Transshipment to ensure the high-quality services.
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Shipping charges are complex and influenced by multiple factors. Different types of fees play distinct roles in the transportation process. The following is a detailed introduction to the main types of shipping charges, accompanied by practical examples to help understand their calculation logic and application scenarios.
Base freight is the core component of shipping charges, calculated based on the weight, volume, or quantity of goods. In sea freight, it is usually charged per weight ton (W) or measurement ton (M); in air freight, it is often calculated based on the actual weight or dimensional weight (length × width × height ÷ 6000, in centimeters), taking the larger value. For example, when shipping a batch of furniture weighing 10 tons and with a volume of 15 cubic meters from Shanghai, China to Los Angeles, the United States, sea freight is charged by measurement ton. If the freight per measurement ton is $100, the base freight is 15×100 = $1500.
The BAF is directly related to fluctuations in international fuel prices and is used to compensate shipping companies for additional costs caused by changes in fuel costs. For example, if fuel prices rise during a certain period, the shipping company may impose a 10% BAF on the base freight. If the base freight for a batch of goods is $2000, the BAF is 2000×10% = $200.
Due to exchange rate fluctuations, shipping companies may charge a CAF to avoid losses from currency conversion. Suppose freight is settled in US dollars, but the currency of the shipping company's country depreciates. They may impose a 5% CAF. If the base freight is $1000, the CAF is 1000×5% = $50.
During peak seasons with high transportation demand, such as before Christmas and Black Friday in European and American countries, shipping companies impose a PSS to ease capacity shortages. For example, when shipping a batch of electronic products during peak season, with a base freight of $3000, the PSS may be $500.
This includes the Terminal Handling Charge (THC) at the port of origin and surcharges at the port of destination. The THC at the port of origin is used to pay for terminal handling and other operations. For example, when exporting goods from Chinese ports, the THC for a 20 - foot container may be 750 RMB. Surcharges at the port of destination vary by port. In some congested ports, a congestion surcharge may be imposed.
When the weight or size of goods exceeds the standard limits of the means of transportation, additional fees are required. For example, when air - shipping a batch of industrial equipment with a single piece weighing over 100 kg, the airline may charge an overweight surcharge of $10 per kg.
When transporting hazardous goods (such as chemicals, lithium - ion batteries), high surcharges are imposed due to the need for special packaging, labeling, and transportation conditions. For instance, when transporting electronic products containing lithium - ion batteries, in addition to the base freight, a hazardous cargo surcharge of 20% of the base freight may be added.
For goods such as fresh food and pharmaceuticals that require temperature - controlled transportation, shipping companies charge a temperature - controlled surcharge. For example, when transporting fresh fruits using a refrigerated container, in addition to the container rental, a temperature - controlled fee of $50 per day may be charged.
To ensure the safety of goods during transportation, shippers can purchase cargo transportation insurance. The insurance premium is usually calculated as a certain percentage of the value of the goods. For example, if the insured value of the goods is $10000 and the insurance rate is 0.5%, the insurance premium is 10000×0.5% = $50.
This includes customs declaration handling fees, duties, value - added tax, etc. For example, when importing a batch of clothing worth $5000 from China to the United States, with a tariff rate of 10% and a VAT rate of 8%, the tariff is 5000×10% = $500, the VAT is (5000 + 500)×8% = $440. Adding the customs declaration handling fee of $100, the total customs clearance fees are 500 + 440 + 100 = $1040.
If goods stay in the warehouse at the port of origin or destination beyond the free storage period, warehousing fees will be incurred. For example, if goods are stored in the destination port warehouse for 3 days overdue, with a warehousing fee of $10 per cubic meter per day and a cargo volume of 5 cubic meters, the warehousing fee is 3×10×5 = $150.
| Type of Fee | Definition | Example |
|---|
| Base Freight | The core freight calculated based on the weight, volume, or quantity of goods | Shipping 15 cubic meters of furniture from Shanghai to Los Angeles by sea, with a freight of $100 per measurement ton, the base freight is $1500 |
| Bunker Adjustment Factor (BAF) | A compensatory fee due to fluctuations in fuel prices | Base freight of $2000, with a BAF of 10% of the base freight, i.e., $200 |
| Currency Adjustment Factor (CAF) | A fee due to exchange rate fluctuations | Base freight of $1000, with a CAF of 5% of the base freight, i.e., $50 |
| Peak Season Surcharge (PSS) | A fee imposed during peak shipping seasons | Shipping electronic products during peak season, with a base freight of $3000 and a PSS of $500 |
| Port Surcharges | Fees for operations at the port of origin or destination | THC of 750 RMB for a 20 - foot container when exporting from Chinese ports; congestion surcharges at some congested ports |
| Overweight/Over - size Surcharge | Additional fees for overweight or over - sized goods | Air - shipping an industrial equipment weighing over 100 kg, with an overweight surcharge of $10 per kg |
| Hazardous Cargo Surcharge | Fees for transporting hazardous goods | Transporting products with lithium - ion batteries, with a hazardous cargo surcharge of 20% of the base freight |
| Temperature - Controlled Surcharge | Fees for temperature - controlled transportation | Refrigerated transportation of fruits, with a temperature - controlled fee of $50 per day |
| Insurance Premium | The cost of insuring goods during transportation | Goods worth $10000, with an insurance rate of 0.5%, and an insurance premium of $50 |
| Customs Clearance Fees | The total of customs declaration, duties, VAT, etc. | Importing $5000 worth of clothing to the US, with customs clearance fees including $500 in duties, $440 in VAT, and a $100 customs declaration handling fee, totaling $1040 |
| Warehousing Fees | Fees for overdue storage of goods | Goods stored 3 days overdue at the destination port, with a 5 - cubic - meter volume, and a warehousing fee of $150 |
