Calculation Method for Ocean Freight Collect and Deliver Charges

Sea-Land Freight is a common international logistics transportation method, which transports container goods to the destination port by sea and then delivers them to the final delivery location via truck. This approach is suitable for bulk cargo transportation in cross-border trade, especially common in international trade. So, how are the specific costs of sea-land freight calculated? This article will analyze from multiple perspectives and combine relevant news information to help everyone better understand this process.

Firstly, the cost of sea-land freight mainly consists of the following parts

One, ocean freight

Ocean freight is the most critical part of the entire transportation process. This cost usually includes two main components basic freight and additional charges. The basic freight depends on the distance of the route, the pricing standards of shipping companies, and market supply and demand conditions. For example, if there is an oversupply of ships on a certain route, the basic freight may decrease; conversely, it may rise. Additional charges include items such as fuel adjustment fees BAF and port congestion surcharges PSS, with standards varying by shipping company.

According to reports from China Shipping Weekly, in recent years, due to global supply chain tensions, many shipping companies have added extra fee items to their services, such as emergency scheduling fees or peak season surcharges, further increasing overall ocean freight costs. When planning sea-land freight, enterprises need to closely monitor changes in the shipping market to reasonably estimate ocean freight costs.

Two, inland transportation costs

After the goods arrive at the destination port, they need to be transported by truck to the destination warehouse or designated delivery point. This part is known as inland transportation costs, which mainly include the cost of truck transportation and possible tolls, bridge fees, loading and unloading fees, etc. The level of inland transportation costs is closely related to the transport distance and also influenced by local traffic conditions. For instance, in some economically developed areas, due to more vehicle restriction measures, transportation time may be extended, thereby increasing costs.

According to Modern Logistics News, with the development of new energy vehicle technology, more and more companies are beginning to try using electric trucks to complete short-distance distribution tasks. This not only helps reduce carbon emissions but can also effectively alleviate urban congestion problems. However, currently, the application range of electric trucks is still limited, and for long-distance transportation, diesel-powered trucks remain the mainstream choice.

Three, warehousing and value-added service costs

In addition to the above two main costs, we must also consider storage costs incurred during the period when goods are at the port and related value-added service costs. Warehousing costs refer to the rent paid for storing goods in the dock yard or warehouse; value-added services cover various operational stages such as packaging reinforcement, labeling, and sorting. Although these costs seem insignificant, improper handling can have a significant impact on the total cost.

It is worth noting that according to International Trade News, with the rapid development of the cross-border e-commerce industry, more and more e-commerce platforms are paying attention to overseas warehouse construction. By pre-stocking goods in nearby warehouses in target countries, it is possible to shorten delivery cycles and avoid high air freight costs. However, this also means that when formulating sea-land freight plans, enterprises must comprehensively consider the balance between inventory management strategies and logistics costs.

Four, exchange rate fluctuation risks

Finally, it is worth mentioning that due to cross-border transaction activities, exchange rate fluctuations can also have a significant impact on the overall cost of sea-land freight. Especially for enterprises using the US dollar settlement model, changes in the RMB/USD exchange rate will directly affect their actual payment amounts. When signing contracts, both parties should reach a consensus on exchange rate terms and, if necessary, take hedging measures to avoid potential losses.

In summary, sea-land freight, as an efficient international logistics solution, has a complex and diverse cost structure covering many aspects. To ensure smooth business operations, enterprises should fully understand the specifics and changing patterns of each cost and flexibly adjust strategies based on their own circumstances. At the same time, they can also obtain more precise cost estimation results through consulting services provided by professional third-party logistics companies. In short, mastering logistics cost control techniques will become an indispensable part of enhancing corporate competitiveness in the context of globalization.