Container Freight Station (CFS) Fee

Definition of CFS Fee

Container freight station charges are fees charged by container freight stations or terminal operators to shippers or freight forwarders and usually cover services in multiple links. For LCL shipments, the main tasks of container freight stations are to receive, consolidate, and split goods and provide related services such as warehousing during the transportation of goods. The specific fees are calculated based on factors such as the volume, weight, and quantity of the goods and the storage duration.

These fees are an essential part of LCL transport and must be considered by freight forwarders and shippers when budgeting logistics costs. Understanding the composition of these fees can help companies make cost estimates in advance and avoid sudden cost overruns.

Main components of container freight station fee

Container freight station fees generally include the following components:

• Loading and unloading fee: After the goods have been unloaded from the container transport vehicle, they must be handled at the container freight station. The fees vary depending on the quantity, weight, and volume of the goods and the difficulty of loading and unloading.
• LCL and devanning fee: LCL goods must be consolidated into a container at the container freight station and then devanned at the destination port. These critical processes involve labor and equipment, so they also incur corresponding fees.
• Storage costs: Goods may need to be stored temporarily in the container freight station, especially if there are delays or uncertainties in the transport between the destination and the place of departure. Storage costs are generally calculated based on the storage time and are usually charged after the free storage period has expired.
• Cargo inspection fee: To ensure that the goods comply with the relevant regulations, the container freight station may conduct cargo inspections, including weight, size, labeling, etc. This cost is usually borne by the shipper or consignee and depends on the complexity of the inspection.
• Another service fee: Some container freight stations may also provide additional services, such as marking, packaging, sorting, etc., which may involve additional costs.