I. Overview of Cost Structure
The total cost of exporting a container by sea can be divided into four parts:
Total Cost = ① Ocean Freight + ② Surcharges + ③ Origin Charges + ④ Destination Charges
| Cost Category | Amount (Reference) | Proportion | Payer |
|---|
| ① Basic Ocean Freight | $1,200-2,000 | 60%-70% | FOB: Buyer pays / CIF: Seller pays |
|---|
| ② Various Surcharges | $300-800 | 15%-25% | Usually combined with ocean freight |
| ③ Origin Charges | ¥2,500-5,000 | 10%-20% | FOB: Seller pays |
| ④ Destination Charges | $800-1,500 | 15%-25% | CIF: Buyer pays / DDP: Seller pays |
II. Ocean Freight Reference Rates (2026 Data)
| Route | 20GP (Reference) | 40GP/40HQ (Reference) |
|---|
| China → Europe (Base Port) | $1,200-2,000 | $2,000-3,500 |
|---|
| China → Mediterranean | $1,500-2,500 | $2,500-4,000 |
| China → Southeast Asia | $300-800 | $500-1,200 |
| China → Middle East | $1,000-1,800 | $1,500-2,800 |
| China → East Coast South America | $2,000-3,500 | $3,000-5,000 |
| China → Africa | $1,500-2,500 | $2,500-4,000 |
| China → Australia | $800-1,500 | $1,200-2,500 |
The 2025 SCFI Composite Index averaged 1,581 points, reaching a year-high of 2,571.73 points at the end of May 2026. Freight rate fluctuations are the norm.
III. Common Surcharges
| Surcharge | Reason | Reference Amount | Negotiability |
|---|
| BAF | Fuel price fluctuations | $100-500/container | 🟡 Limited |
|---|
| CAF | Exchange rate fluctuations | 5%-15% of freight | 🟡 Limited |
|---|
| PSS | Peak season supply and demand | $200-1,000/container | 🔴 Difficult |
|---|
| EBS | Fuel price surge | $50-200/container | 🟡 Limited |
|---|
| THC | Terminal handling charge | ¥550-850/20GP | 🔴 Fixed |
|---|
| ORC | South China fixed charge | ¥600-1,000/20GP | 🔴 Fixed |
|---|
IV. Origin Charges
| Charge Item | Reference Amount | Explanation |
|---|
| Trucking Fee | ¥800-2,500 | Based on distance |
|---|
| THC (Terminal Handling Charge) | ¥550-850/20GP | Consistent across ports |
|---|
| Booking Fee | ¥200-400 | Collected by freight forwarder |
|---|
| Documentation Fee (DOC) | ¥300-500 | For B/L and other document processing |
|---|
| Customs Declaration Fee | ¥150-350 | Collected by customs broker |
|---|
| Seal Fee | ¥25-50 | One per container |
|---|
V. Destination Charges
| Charge Item | Reference Amount |
|---|
| DTHC (Destination THC) | €150-250 (Europe) |
|---|
| Import Customs Clearance Fee | $100-200 |
| Destination Trucking Fee | $300-600 |
| Storage Fee (Overdue) | $50-100/day |
VI. Total Cost Calculation Example
Shenzhen → Hamburg, 1×20GP, FOB Terms
| Charge Item | Amount | Covered By |
|---|
| Shenzhen Trucking Fee (50km) | ¥1,200 | Seller |
|---|
| THC + Booking + Documentation + Customs + Seal | ¥1,630 | Seller |
|---|
| Total Origin Charges | ¥2,830 | Seller’s Responsibility |
|---|
| Ocean Freight (Shenzhen → Hamburg) | $1,500 | Buyer’s Responsibility |
|---|
| Destination DTHC + Customs + Trucking | €650 | Buyer’s Responsibility |
|---|
Get a Quote: 13075678958 | info@zhbfwl.com
