Common Sea Freight Surcharges and Their Meanings

What are the common surcharges in ocean freight?

In addition to ocean freight, shipping companies often impose various surcharges due to extra costs arising from specific cargo, specific routes, or specific ports. Understanding the meanings and charging conditions of common surcharges can help you read freight quotations and avoid fee confusion. This article sorts out common ocean shipping surcharges into three categories: "cargo factors, route and port factors, and market and currency factors."

1. Cargo-Related Surcharges

Over Weight Surcharge

Charged when the weight of a single piece of cargo carried exceeds a certain limit. Different shipping companies have different weight limits for a single piece of cargo. The overweight surcharge generally increases with the weight of the cargo and is levied each time the cargo is transshipped.

Over Length Surcharge

Charged when the length of a single piece of cargo carried reaches or exceeds a specified limit. Different shipping companies have different length limits for cargo, and it is likewise levied each time the cargo is transshipped.

2. Surcharges for Route and Port Factors

Additional for Optional Destination

When the cargo owner has not specified the discharge port at the time of consignment and requests to choose among two or more pre-selected discharge ports, the carrier charges a surcharge due to the increased procedures and costs.

Direct Additional

When the cargo owner requests to ship a batch of goods meeting a specified quantity to a non-basic port, the carrier charges an additional surcharge to compensate for the extra costs incurred.

Transshipment Surcharge

If goods destined for a non-basic port need to be transshipped en route, the carrier charges a surcharge because of the increased expenses for transshipment and chartering procedures. The transshipment surcharge is not necessarily equal to the carrier's transshipment expenses and second-leg freight; the resulting profit or loss is borne by the carrier.

Port Surcharge

In certain ports where loading and unloading conditions are poor, efficiency is low, or port charges are high, the carrier's operating costs increase, so the carrier charges a port surcharge to the cargo owner.

Port Congestion Surcharge

Due to congestion at the discharge port, the vessel has to berth for a long time after arrival, causing loss of schedule. The carrier charges the cargo owner a port congestion surcharge.

Additional for Alteration of Destination

When the cargo owner requests to change the original discharge port, and the change is permitted by customs and accepted by the carrier, the cargo owner must pay a surcharge. Any costs for shifting and restowing cargo arising from the change are also borne by the cargo owner; if the freight to the new discharge port is higher than that to the original destination port, the cargo owner pays the difference, but if it is lower, the difference is not refunded.

Deviation Surcharge

When the customary route is blocked and the vessel must deviate, the carrier charges a deviation surcharge to the cargo owner for the increased shipping expenses.

III. Market and Currency-Related Surcharges

Currency Adjustment Factor (CAF)

The shipping company charges this to compensate for economic losses caused by currency devaluation in freight payment. It is generally calculated as a certain percentage of the basic freight rate in line with the extent of currency depreciation.

Bunker Adjustment Factor / Bunker Surcharge

Due to rising crude oil prices increasing vessel operating expenses, the shipping company collects a bunker surcharge from the cargo owner. In addition to the above, there are also cleaning charges, ice additional, and others; shipping companies may also temporarily impose certain fees based on new circumstances.

Further reading: Complete Guide to Sea and Air Freight Surcharge Abbreviations for quick abbreviation lookup; Basic Structure of International Container Transport Costs for an overall framework of fees; Overview of Domestic Sea Freight Cost Structure for comparison of domestic trade costs.

Ocean Freight Surcharge FAQs

Q: Why are there multiple surcharges such as overweight and over-length for the same voyage?

A: Surcharges are fees charged by shipping lines to compensate for the extra costs caused by specific cargo or specific routes—overweight/over-length cargo affects loading, unloading, and stowage; optional port, transshipment, or detour increases carrier operations; port congestion causes schedule delays. Different surcharges target different costs, and the same shipment may be subject to several at once.

Q: Will surcharges be charged repeatedly?

A: Cargo-related surcharges such as overweight and over-length are usually charged again for each transshipment; market-related surcharges such as bunker fuel and currency depreciation are dynamically adjusted by shipping lines according to market conditions. When signing a transport contract, it is recommended to confirm the billing method and validity period of each surcharge with your freight forwarder.

Bofeng Logistics specializes in one-stop logistics services including domestic container shipping, international shipping (FCL/LCL), Hong Kong and Macau logistics dedicated lines, as well as trucking, customs clearance, and warehousing. Contact phone: 130-7567-8958 (Manager Huang), call now to get a customized quote!

Disclaimer: This article was compiled by the Bofeng Logistics team and verified as of August 2026. Ocean freight rates, surcharges, port charges and policies may change with market conditions and current carrier requirements; actual charges are subject to the rates published by the carrier or logistics provider at the time of booking.