These charges are made by the terminal operator in respect of container movements:
- before departure, from the seller’s vehicle to the stack and thence to the departing means of transport
- at the destination, from the arriving means of transport to the stack and thence to the buyer’s vehicle
They are a potential cause of confusion, because carriers vary in their practice – some include “destination” THC’s in their freight rates, and others do not.
The Incoterms rules are clear that when the THC’s are the responsibility of the seller, the buyer should not be charged again for the same service.
However there is a potential “grey area” here – especially in respect of
terminal handling charges at the port of destination when the “C” or “D”
Incoterms rules are used.