GlossaryEN1 min readUpdated: Jun 26, 2026
Merchant Haulage Contracts in Container Shipping
Merchant haulage is the arrangement in which the shipper – not the shipping line – organises and pays for inland transport of the container to or from the port.
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Source: https://www.freightos.com/freight-resources/glossary/merchant-haulage/
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Merchant haulage is the arrangement in which the shipper – not the shipping line – organises and pays for inland transport of the container to or from the port. The carrier's contractual responsibility is limited to the ocean leg; the landside portion falls entirely under the shipper's or freight forwarder's control. This gives the cargo owner full authority over truck choice, timing, and routing, which can translate into cost savings when the shipper holds strong contracts with hauliers. The trade-off is liability: under merchant haulage, the shipper bears the risk of loss or damage during inland transit. Carrier haulage, by contrast, extends the liner's responsibility door-to-door under a single bill of lading. The choice between the two is a standard commercial decision made when booking a full-container-load (FCL) shipment.
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