// Basic Knowledge

Bunker Surcharge, is a fee that shipping companies add to base freight rates to counterbalance the changing cost of fuel. BOC charges allow carriers to stabilize their income by passing some of the fuel cost volatility onto shippers.

The Harbor Maintenance Fee (HMF) is a federal fee levied on the value of cargo imported or shipped through U.S. ports. Established under the Water Resources Development Act of 1986, the primary purpose of the HMF is to fund

Think of Port to Port shipping like booking a flight that gets you from Point A to Point B, but doesn’t take you any further. In this case, Point A is the departure port (where the goods are loaded onto the ship), and Point B is the destination port (where the goods are unloaded).

A customs bond is a form of insurance that protects the U.S. Treasury if an importer fails to pay required duties, taxes, fines, or fees on their imports. These bonds are purchased from government-licensed surety companies and are a critical requirement for importing goods into the United States, ensuring compliance with Customs and Border Protection (CBP) regulations.

Understanding the dimensions of shipping containers, pallets, and boxes is essential in the world of global trade. These measurements form the backbone of efficient logistics operations, determining not only how much cargo can be moved but also how it will be packed

Blind shipping is a process where the origin of a shipment is hidden from the recipient.This means that the customer does not know where the product is being shipped from or who the original supplier is. Instead, the customer believes the goods are coming directly from the seller.

NAC rate, or Named Account Contract rate, is a customized freight rate negotiated between a shipping company and a specific customer, typically based on the customer’s shipping volume, routes, and long-term commitment. It often results in significant cost savings compared to other standard rates, such as spot or tariff rates.

Freight All Kinds is shorten for FAK, is a pricing and classification strategy used in the shipping industry, particularly in less-than-truckload (LTL) shipping. At its core, FAK is a simplified freight classification system that groups various types of cargo into broader categories, allowing for a more streamlined pricing structure.

An NVOCC is defined as a type of ocean carrier that does not operate its own vessels but facilitates the transport of cargo by arranging for space on existing shipping lines. Acting as intermediaries, NVOCCs connect shippers with actual carriers while managing the complexities of shipping logistics.

Certificate of Origin (CO) is a document that certifies the country where the goods were produced or manufactured. It is a crucial requirement in international trade, often demanded by customs authorities to determine the applicable tariffs, duties