GlossaryEN1 min readUpdated: Jun 22, 2026
Unloading fee
An unloading fee is the charge levied by a carrier, freight forwarder, or terminal operator for physically removing goods from a transport vehicle or vessel at the destination.
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Source: https://de.wiktionary.org/wiki/Abladegeb%C3%BChr
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Incoterms 2020 Simulator: Who bears costs & risk?
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Definition & Explanation
An unloading fee is the charge levied by a carrier, freight forwarder, or terminal operator for physically removing goods from a transport vehicle or vessel at the destination. It covers the labor, equipment, and time involved in the discharge operation and typically appears as a separate line item on freight invoices, particularly where unloading is not included in the base rate. In road transport, the fee often applies only under special conditions – heavy cargo, upper-floor delivery, or the absence of a loading dock. In ocean freight, an equivalent charge is commonly known as the terminal handling charge (THC) or discharge fee. It is distinct from the loading fee charged at the point of origin, and from storage costs that arise only once goods have been offloaded. Which party – buyer or seller – bears this cost depends on the agreed Incoterm and should be explicitly stated in the contract.
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