Policies · Pricing and Surcharges
Pricing and Surcharge Policy
Freight prices move every day — fuel, currency, port charges, peak season. We show you what's in the base price, what's a surcharge, and when surcharges change. We don't add hidden fees. If a surcharge has to go up mid-booking, we tell you within 1 business day and you can cancel without penalty.
What's in a quote
Base freight (carrier cost). Origin local charges (port / airport handling, documentation, terminal). Destination local charges (UK port / airport, customs entry, terminal release). Our forwarder fee (booking, documents, support). Currency adjustment factor (CAF) where applicable. Fuel surcharge (BAF / FAF) at quote date. Cargo insurance if you opt in. VAT where applicable.
What's NOT in a quote
Import / export duty (payable by Importer of Record direct to HMRC). Demurrage and detention (only if you delay container return). Storage beyond free time. Customs inspection fees (HMRC red/yellow channel). Document amendment fees (if consignee, vessel, AWB change after issuance). Re-routing (if destination changes after booking). Out-of-hour delivery premiums. Special handling (lift gate, two-man, ISPM 15 stamps) — on request.
Standard surcharges
Fuel surcharge BAF / FAF: monthly, sea and air. Peak season surcharge PSS: China–UK Aug–Nov, India–UK Sep–Nov, Black Friday / Christmas. Currency adjustment CAF: if GBP/USD moves >3% between quote and execution. General rate increase GRI: monthly carrier base rate changes. Emergency / war risk surcharge: Red Sea diversion, port closure, war. Security surcharges: ACC (air), CSI (US-bound). Customs / regulatory: HMRC pre-arrival fee, BCP / Common User Charge, IPAFFS pre-notification fee.
Documentation fees
B/L issuance / release £35. AWB issuance £25. Certificate of Origin (Chamber of Commerce stamp) £45 + Chamber fee. EUR.1 movement certificate £35 + customs fee. Letter of Credit document handling from £150. Telex release £35. Surrendered B/L £25. Amendment after issuance £45 per amendment.
Storage and demurrage
FCL container UK port days 1–5: free (varies by port / carrier). Days 6–10: £45/day. Days 11+: £80/day. Failed delivery — consignee unavailable: £45 first / £75 second. Re-delivery: £45. After 2 failed attempts: held at carrier port / terminal storage rates until instructions received. Heavy / oversize pieces: bespoke.
Quote validity and changes
Sea / air spot quote: 7 days. Road UK domestic: 14 days. Contracted (volume): 30 days with monthly review. Project / oversize: 14 days. AI voice indicative: indicative only — written quote required for booking. Changes after booking: mid-month GRI between quote and load → re-quote, you can cancel without penalty. Currency move >3% → CAF applied with 5 days' notice. Force majeure → re-quote, refundable cancellation. Goods differ materially → re-quote based on actual. Customs inspection → pass-through. We confirm any change in writing within 1 BD; you may cancel within 24 hours of change notice.
No hidden fees
We do NOT charge: booking confirmation fee, documentation creation fee beyond documented items above, late booking fee unless we explicitly agree expedited handling, holiday surcharge beyond carrier PSS, margin on insurance premium (pass-through), margin on HMRC / customs / security pass-throughs. See something on an invoice you don't recognise? Raise within 30 days — we explain or remove.
Last reviewed 2026-06-06.