Hidden Costs in International Shipping
- Nancy Kong
- 3 days ago
- 3 min read
1. Origin Fees (China Side)
Even if a supplier gives you a low freight quote, origin charges can add up.
Common hidden origin costs:
Export customs documentation fee
Factory-to-port trucking
Warehouse handling fees
Origin terminal handling charges (OTHC)
Container loading fees
Suppliers don’t always include these in FOB or EXW quotes, so it’s important to clarify.
2. Destination Charges (Buyer’s Country)
This is one of the biggest areas where new importers get surprised.
Typical destination charges:
DTHC (destination terminal handling charge)
Port storage fees
Container cleaning or inspection fees
De-vanning fees
Local delivery
Customs exam fees
Even if freight prices drop, destination fees often stay high.
3. Customs Duties & Taxes
Freight agents sometimes quote shipping only, not duties.
You may need to pay:
Import duty (varies by HS code)
GST/VAT
Anti-dumping duties
Special tariffs
To avoid surprises, always ask for a landed cost estimate before shipping.
4. Customs Clearance Fees
These fees are paid to customs brokers for handling your import documentation.
Possible extra fees:
Customs filing charges
Document inspection fee
Commodity-specific clearance charges
Bond charges (for U.S. imports)
If customs requests additional documents, more charges may apply.
5. Demurrage & Detention Charges
These are some of the costliest surprises.
Demurrage:
Charges when your container stays too long at the port.
Detention:
Charges when you keep the container beyond the free days.
Mistakes like late documents, customs exams, or delayed trucking can easily trigger these fees.
6. Insurance Costs
Many shippers skip insurance, but uninsured shipments come with risk.If you do purchase insurance, check for:
Extra fees for fragile items
High-value cargo premiums
War or political risk surcharges
Shipping insurance is essential but often overlooked in cost planning.
7. Seasonal Surcharges
Shipping during peak seasons can trigger special fees.
Examples include:
Peak Season Surcharge (PSS)
General Rate Increase (GRI)
Congestion surcharge
Fuel surcharge (BAF)
Costs rise especially around:
Chinese New Year
Black Friday season
Q4 holiday rush
8. Additional Packaging & Labeling Fees
For fragile or regulated items, suppliers may charge extra for:
Reinforced packaging
Palletizing
Barcode or FBA labeling (for Amazon)
Moisture-proof materials
These small charges can add up across large shipments.
9. Last-Mile Delivery Costs
If your shipment includes door delivery, check for:
Remote area surcharges
Unexpected unloading fees
Additional manpower fees
Appointment-based delivery charges
These appear especially in LTL trucking or DDP deliveries.
10. Currency Fluctuation & Banking Fees
When paying suppliers or shipping companies:
Bank transfer fees
Exchange rate margin
Transfer handling charges
These hidden financial costs affect your final cost per unit.
How to Avoid Hidden Shipping Costs
To keep your budget predictable:
✔ Ask for a full landed cost (including duties and destination fees)
✔ Use DDP services when possible (all-in-one pricing)
✔ Confirm all charges before booking freight
✔ Ship before peak seasons
✔ Work with transparent freight forwarders
Contact Information
Whatsapp: +86-18098151030Nancy/+91-9952044576Mallesh Gujjala/+86-181 2571 3582Rose/+86-13416222617Jack/+86-15918480524CC/+86-18125730121Kimi
Email: nancy@gmrglobal.co
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Thank you for reading. I look forward to further communication with you!
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