Dalian Port Clarifies Sea Freight Charges for Exporters

Have you ever reviewed a seemingly reasonable ocean freight quote, only to be surprised by a long list of mysterious "Local Charges" on the final invoice? These fees often lurk beneath the surface like hidden icebergs, ready to sink your budget with unexpected costs.

This comprehensive guide focuses on Dalian Port, one of China's busiest shipping hubs, to demystify common local charges in international shipping. Understanding these fees is crucial for exporters to maintain cost control and avoid disputes.

Dalian Port Local Charges: Your Complete Fee Breakdown

Beyond the basic ocean freight costs, numerous local charges apply at origin and destination ports. These fees are typically levied by terminals, ports, or freight forwarders. Here's your detailed guide to Dalian's most common charges (Note: Prices may fluctuate based on market conditions).

2. Port Charge: Dalian's Infrastructure Fee

This distinctive Dalian Port fee supports maintenance and development of port infrastructure. Unlike THC, not all ports impose this specific charge.

3. Port Security Charge: Safety Maintenance

This fee funds security personnel and equipment to ensure safe port operations, typically a modest per-container charge.

4. Document Charge: The Bill of Lading Fee

Shipping lines or forwarders charge this fee for preparing and issuing the bill of lading - the crucial document that serves as your cargo's ownership certificate.

Standard rate: Approximately ¥200 (≈$28) per shipment

5. Document Handling Charge: Paperwork Processing

Distinct from the document fee, this covers the labor costs for processing, transmitting, and archiving shipping documents.

Standard rate: Approximately ¥50 (≈$7) per shipment

6. Customs Clearance Fee: Export Authorization

Paid to customs brokers for handling export declarations (or import clearance for incoming shipments).

Standard rate: Approximately ¥150 (≈$21) per shipment

7. Tally Fee: Cargo Verification

Agents charge this for verifying cargo quantities and conditions during handovers.

8. Container Stuffing Fee: Loading Labor

The manual labor cost for loading goods into containers at warehouses or factories.

9. Unloading Fee: Cargo Discharge

The counterpart to stuffing charges, covering unloading from transport vehicles.

10. Container Picking Fee: Empty Container Retrieval

Costs for collecting empty containers from designated depots, often fluctuating based on yard locations.

11. Inspection Charge: Mandatory Cargo Checks

Applies to goods requiring compulsory inspection (determined by HS codes), with variable costs based on product type and value.

12. Commodity Inspection Agent Fee: Inspection Facilitation

Agent fees for handling mandatory inspection procedures, also determined by HS codes.

13. Container Inspection Fee: Special Cargo Requirements

Additional sanitation inspections for food, pharmaceuticals, or other sensitive goods to ensure container cleanliness.

14. Surrender Charge: Express Release Option

An optional fee for "telex release" allowing cargo collection without original bills of lading (costs vary by shipping line).

Average rate: Approximately ¥200 (≈$28) per shipment

15. Transport Charge: Trucking Costs

Variable fees for container movement between depots, warehouses, and terminals, influenced by distance and cargo type.