Pricing & Surcharges
THC (Terminal Handling Charge)
Fees charged by the port or terminal for loading, unloading, and handling containers or cargo. Applied at origin and/or destination and often listed separately from ocean freight.
In depth
THC covers the terminal's cost of moving a container between the vessel and the yard — craneage, yard handling, and associated documentation. It is charged at both the port of loading and the port of discharge, and which party pays depends on the Incoterm and the way the carrier has quoted. THC is one of the most common sources of unexpected cost, because a rate quoted as "ocean freight only" may exclude THC at either or both ends, and destination THC often lands on the consignee after arrival when it is too late to negotiate. Amounts vary substantially by port and container size.
Key points
- Terminal charge for moving containers between vessel and yard
- Applies at both origin and destination
- Who pays depends on the Incoterm and the quote basis
- A frequent source of unexpected destination charges