Ocean freight surcharges are additional fees charged by shipping companies to cover various expenses incurred in the shipping process. Understanding these charges is crucial for businesses involved in international trade, as they can significantly impact overall shipping costs. Here are the common types of ocean freight surcharges:

1. Bunker Adjustment Factor (BAF): A surcharge to adjust for fluctuations in fuel prices, helping carriers manage variations in operating costs.

2. Currency Adjustment Factor (CAF): This fee compensates for changes in exchange rates affecting the shipping cost.

3. Peak Season Surcharge (PSS): Applied during high-demand periods, typically in the lead-up to holidays, to manage increased shipping volume and costs.

4. Terminal Handling Charge (THC): A fee for the services related to loading and unloading containers at ports.

5. Container Imbalance Charge (CIC): This surcharge compensates carriers for repositioning empty containers to address supply-demand discrepancies.

6. Documentation Fee: Charged for administrative tasks related to shipping documents, such as Bills of Lading.

7. Demurrage and Detention Fees: Fees incurred when containers are not returned or picked up in a timely manner, leading to additional storage costs at ports.

8. Panama canal surcharge ( PCS ): This surcharge applies to the ocean freight through the Panama Canal.

9. Suer canal surcharge ( SCS ) : This surcharge applies to the ocean freight through the Suez Canal.

10. Security Surcharges: Fees for additional security measures implemented at ports to ensure safe transit of goods.

These surcharges can be dynamic and vary based on market conditions, so it’s essential for shippers to stay informed about the current rates applied by carriers .