Skip to content 
Shipping local charges are the costs directly related to ports, shipping and other parties involved in the transportation of goods. The following are some common local charges and their explanations.
Shipping local charges Item
The following is an example of full container export from Tianjin port in China, summarizing the common shipping local charges:
Harbor miscellaneous charges
187RMB/20GP;314RMB/40GP or 40HQ. 40GP and 40HQ RMB charges are usually the same, and sometimes the ocean freight charges are the same.
Port Security Fee
20RMB/20GP;30RMB/40GP or 40HQ.
Manifest transmission fee
RMB 100/ticket, if there is a split-ticket manifest, split-ticket customs declaration, it will be charged according to the number of split-ticket. This fee is also called entry fee or information entry fee, manifest entry fee.
shipping local charges
THC fee
725-825 yuan/20GP;1150-1230 yuan/40GP or 40HQ.This fee is not fixed, different shipping companies have different fees. Basically, it is about $800 for a 20-foot container and $1200 for a 40-foot container.
THC fee related post:
DOC documents / bill of lading fees
Most of them are 450 yuan / BL, there are a few shipping companies charge 500 yuan / BL. If you want the shipping company to do electric release, issue electric release bill of lading (surrendered BL / telex release BL), there will be additional electric release fee (telex release fee) – electric release fee Generally 200-500 yuan, different shipping companies charge differently.
Shipping local charges related video:
Seal Fee
Generally 40-50 RMB/ a. Seal is also called seal, container. Seals are also called seals, container seals, high security seals and so on. Each seal has a unique number, this number will be displayed on the bill of lading together with the box number.
Seals are usually made of steel and are very strong. Lead seals are used to seal the container door. Once the door is sealed with a seal, it can never be opened again unless the seal is destroyed, effectively protecting the goods inside from theft. Shipping company delivery, as long as the seal is intact, even if the consignee found that the goods are short, is not the responsibility of the shipping company.
shipping local charges
CHC Manifest Audit Fee
30RMB/20GP, 50RMB/40GP or 40HQ, this fee is quite strange, which was not there before. I do not know from when onwards, Tianjin port exports began to have this fee. How it is reviewed, who reviews it, and what the procedure is like are not generally known. Because the cost is not much, it seems that no customer asked about this matter, only know that it is called manifest audit fee, referred to as CHC. so the author is also not too clear.
Customs declaration fee
100-200 RMB/ ticket (within 5 items). Cargo owners or consignors can find their own customs broker to declare customs, can also be entrusted to the freight forwarder to declare customs. According to different goods, the number of items, the charges vary.
According to the new version of customs declaration form, one page of customs declaration form can declare up to 8 items, and one ticket can declare up to 50 items. If the number of items exceeds one page, an extra charge of RMB 50/page will be levied. If there are more than 50 items, the customs declaration should be made in separate tickets.
If you’d like to learn more about customs declaration fee of shipping local charges, click through to check it out:
shipping local charges
Packing fee
This cost needs to be based on the specific goods and packaging single inquiry, crating ease of different degrees, the cost may vary greatly. Generally 400-800 yuan / 20GP, 600-1200 yuan / 40GP or 40HQ. when the owner or consignor does not haul their own cabinets, but direct delivery to the export port yard only (this is the legendary internal loading).
In fact, this fee includes not only the cost of loading, but also the cost of typing the bill and the cost of picking up the box – loading yard to take the bill of lading released by the shipping company (called S/O in South China) to typing the bill, and then go to the designated yard to bring up the empty boxes, ready to load.
We specialize in freight shipping to USA, and can provide ocean freight and air freight service from China to USA.
Shipping from China to the USA
Understanding shipping local charges is a critical part of your overall freight planning. When organizing shipping from China to USA, importers often overlook the fees applied at the origin port. However, expenses like Terminal Handling Charges (THC), customs declaration fees, and document processing fees drastically impact your final shipping cost calculation. Accurately estimating these origin costs before your cargo leaves the factory ensures your import budget remains intact.
Furthermore, local port operations directly influence your transit time and US customs clearance. If you fail to pay manifest transmission fees or secure the proper container seal early, the origin port will delay your departure. These initial delays stall your freight from China to USA, creating a domino effect that complicates your arrival at American ports. By working closely with your forwarder to clear all local origin charges quickly, you guarantee a smooth, uninterrupted journey when shipping from China to the USA.
To learn more about optimizing your supply chain and managing import fees, read our Complete guide to shipping from China to the USA.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are local charges when shipping from China to the US?
Local charges are unavoidable fees applied at the Chinese origin port before your cargo sails to the United States. These include expenses like Terminal Handling Charges (THC), container seal fees, and customs declaration costs. If you ignore these fees in your budget, your final shipping costs will quickly increase. Work with your freight forwarder to calculate these origin charges early and protect your import profit margins.
How do Terminal Handling Charges (THC) affect my import budget?
Terminal Handling Charges cover the physical movement of your containers at both the Chinese departure port and the US arrival port. The total cost depends on your container size and the specific shipping line you choose. Because these fees vary between carriers, you must ask your forwarder for a complete breakdown of local charges before booking your freight from China to the USA.
Can unpaid local charges in China delay my US customs clearance?
Yes, unpaid origin charges can severely disrupt your supply chain. If you fail to pay fees like the manifest transmission cost or the container packing fee in China, the shipping line will not release your official documents. Without a valid bill of lading, you cannot complete your US customs clearance, trapping your inventory at the American port and adding heavy storage penalties.
Shipping from China to the USA
Proper freight planning requires a deep understanding of origin local charges. When organizing shipping from China to USA, many importers mistakenly overlook fees like Terminal Handling Charges (THC), customs declaration costs, and manifest transmission fees. These origin expenses significantly impact your overall shipping cost calculation. To avoid unexpected budget overruns, you must account for these port-related charges long before your cargo leaves the factory.
Furthermore, settling these local fees promptly is critical for maintaining your delivery schedule. If administrative charges or container seal fees remain unpaid, the departure port will withhold your essential export documents. Missing paperwork instantly stalls your freight from China to USA, causing a ripple effect that extends your transit time and severely complicates your eventual US customs clearance. Working closely with your forwarder to clear all local charges immediately ensures a seamless supply chain when shipping from China to the USA.
To learn more about optimizing your import budget, read our Complete guide to shipping from China to the USA.
Frequently Asked Questions About Shipping from China to the USA
What are shipping local charges when importing from China to the US?
Shipping local charges are origin port fees applied before your cargo leaves China for the United States. These include Terminal Handling Charges (THC), container seal fees, customs declaration costs, and manifest transmission fees. Importers must account for these mandatory expenses in their initial freight budget to avoid unexpected cost overruns and protect their profit margins.
How do Terminal Handling Charges (THC) affect my shipping costs to the USA?
Terminal Handling Charges cover the physical movement and loading of your containers at Chinese departure ports. The total THC fee depends on your specific container size, like a 20-foot or 40-foot container, and the shipping line you select. Since these rates vary between carriers, you should ask your freight forwarder for a detailed breakdown of all origin charges before booking your ocean freight.
Can unpaid local origin charges in China delay my US customs clearance?
Yes, failing to pay local origin charges in China can severely disrupt your entire supply chain. If you do not settle expenses like manifest fees or container packing costs, the shipping line will hold your essential export documents. Without a released bill of lading, you cannot complete your US customs clearance, which leaves your inventory trapped at the American arrival port.