What are the general charges for international shipping?
In international maritime transport, the various fees to be paid according to regulations for the use of port waters, channels, berths (docks, buoys, anchorage, etc.), loading and unloading and application for various services provided by the relevant port authorities, such as pilotage, tugs, etc. during the entry and exit of ships and the berthing at the port are collectively referred to as "port use fees". Let's have a look!
Such charges are charges levied on the ship owner, and are usually based on the gross tonnage or net tonnage of the ship. Such expenses include the following aspects:
1. Ship tonnage tax
This is a kind of tariff levied by the customs of sovereign countries when international ships enter the port. Generally, the tax rate is divided into several levels according to the net tonnage of the ship, and the tax period is 1 month, 3 months or 1 year. In a tax period, no matter how many times the same ship enters the port, only one ton tax will be charged. In the trade and navigation agreement signed with the country where the port is located, if there is a "preferential country clause", it can enjoy the most-favoured-nation treatment and be levied at the preferential tax rate.
2. Port charges
This is the fee that should be paid to the port authority according to the regulations due to the use of the water area, channel and berthing place of the port during the ship's entering and leaving the port and berthing in the port. Some ports collect port fees by dividing them into various categories, such as dredging fees, port administration fees, sluice fees, etc. The port charges of ships are usually levied on the basis of the gross tonnage or net tonnage of ships, which are combined at the port of entry and exit.
3. Pilotage fee
When international ships enter and leave the port, they are generally forced to pilot, so the ship owner must pay the pilotage fee according to the port pilotage regulations. The methods for calculating and collecting pilotage fees at different ports are also different. Some are calculated and collected according to the ship's tonnage, and some are calculated and collected according to the dual factors of ship's draught and tonnage.
4. Tug fee, berthing fee, mooring fee, etc
These fees are collected by the management department that provides these services at the prescribed rate, which is generally paid by the ship owner except for the time charter.
5. Light beacon fee, quarantine fee, customs clearance fee, etc
These expenses shall be stipulated by the relevant administrative authorities and collected from the shipowner.
In addition to the above expenses, the ship-related expenses may also include garbage dumping fee, ship handover inspection fee, fumigation fee, transportation fee, fire fighting fee, agency fee, etc.
Such expenses are incurred due to goods, and their amount is directly related to the type and quantity of goods. It includes cargo port charges, handling charges, stacking charges, leveling charges, opening and closing charges, storage charges, lighterage charges, tally charges, etc. The above expenses shall be borne by the ship owner, the cargo owner or the charterer in accordance with the provisions of the bill of lading or the charter party, except that the cargo port charges shall be borne by the cargo owner.
3、 Others
1. Crew expenses: including captain's borrowing, crew's medical treatment and repatriation expenses, etc.
2. Miscellaneous charges: mainly including communication and postal charges, handling charges, miscellaneous charges, etc
Remarks: The above content is only an internal opinion and is for reference only.