Differences in Rates and Services Between Shipping Line CFS and NVOCC Consolidated CFS

Differences in Charges and Services Between Shipping Line CFS and NVOCC Co-load CFS

The differences in charges and services between Shipping Line CFS and NVOCC Co-load CFS relate to which Co-load service, tariff, and contracted route the CFS is designated under for LCL cargo. These differences affect the charge items, operational scope, in-gate and gate-out procedures, the responsible party for notices, and the point of contact for incident confirmation.

From the perspective of a shipper or cargo owner, both involve “delivering cargo to the CFS” and “receiving cargo from the CFS.” However, the CFS designated under the shipping line’s LCL service and the CFS designated by an NVOCC or co-loader for their own consolidation service may have differing applicable tariffs, CFS cut-off times, issuers of Arrival Notices and D/Os, storage fees, and acceptance conditions for special cargo.

Importantly, “Shipping Line CFS” and “NVOCC Co-load CFS” do not necessarily imply physically different warehouses. The same CFS facility may serve as a shipping line-designated CFS for some shipments and as an NVOCC or co-loader-designated CFS for others.

Therefore, it is essential not to judge charges and service contents solely by the warehouse name. Instead, verify which service is being used, which tariff applies, and who handles billing and notifications.

This article addresses the fundamental differences between Shipping Line CFS and NVOCC Co-load CFS, including CFS charges, receipt and delivery operations, export and import-side operational scope, Co-load arrangements, additional charges, and items to verify when selecting. Detailed procedures for incident notification are covered separately in the article “Accident Notification Destinations for Co-loaded Cargo.”

In this article, shipper is used for export-side quotation, Booking, cargo delivery, and CFS in-gate contexts. Cargo owner is used for import-side release, charges, incident response, and liability contexts. The two terms are used according to the relevant operational context and are not treated as interchangeable labels.

Scope Covered in This Article

Item	Content Covered in This Article	Content Covered in Other Articles
Shipping Line CFS	Concept of CFS designated based on shipping line’s LCL service or tariff system	Latest tariffs of individual shipping lines and route-specific rates
NVOCC Co-load CFS	Concept of CFS designated as a service by NVOCC or co-loader	Contract and rate sheets of individual NVOCCs
Difference from Facility Ownership	Distinction between physical CFS owner and the designated entity in terms of services	Capital relationships of CFS operators and facility contracts
CFS Charge	Why the scope of work cannot be determined by the charge name alone	Confirmed amounts on individual rate sheets
RT	Basics of Revenue Ton, calculation methods, and conversion examples	Company-specific rounding rules, minimum charge, and surcharge conditions
Export CFS	Scope of activities such as in-gate, acceptance, sorting, storage, and vanning	Operational procedures and in-gate reservations of individual CFS
Import CFS	Concepts of devanning, sorting, preparation for gate-out, and storage fees	Pickup and gate-out reservations for import co-load CFS
Co-load	Cases where designated CFS differs between prime freight forwarder and actual co-loader	Contract structures and general liability relationships for Co-load
Arrival Notice / D/O	Issuing parties, billing parties, and their relation with import-side CFS	Details on delays of Arrival Notice and D/O procedures
Special Cargo	Additional charges and acceptance conditions for dangerous goods, overlength cargo, heavy cargo, etc.	Detailed acceptance standards for each cargo category
Accident Response	Reasons why confirmation contacts differ depending on the service used	Accident notification contacts for co-loaded cargo and formal claim procedures
Freight Forwarder Involvement Scope	Explanation of billing and arrangement scope using the Standard Five Classifications	Contract and clause details applied to each category

What Is a Shipping Line CFS?

A Shipping Line CFS often refers, in practical terms, to the CFS specified in LCL services offered or sold by a shipping line.

The shipping line does not necessarily own or directly operate the CFS facility. Sometimes, the shipping line designates a third-party CFS operator and uses their facility as part of its LCL service.

For shipments using a Shipping Line CFS, the following conditions may be provided based on the shipping line's or its agent’s service terms:

• Designated in-gate or gate-out CFS
• CFS cut-off times
• CFS charges and local charges
• Acceptance conditions for dangerous or special cargo
• Import-side Arrival Notice
• D/O issuance and cost settlement
• Storage fees and conditions for cargo gate-out

However, even for Shipping Line CFS, rates are not uniformly set nationwide or across all trades. Charges vary by port, trade route, shipping line, type of cargo, quantity, weight, volume, and operational conditions.

What Is NVOCC Co-load CFS?

NVOCC Co-load CFS refers to a CFS designated by an NVOCC or co-loader to consolidate LCL cargo from multiple shippers and assemble consolidated containers according to the destination or the vessel schedule.

An NVOCC may designate export-side and import-side CFS locations based on its own Co-load schedule, overseas agency network, Co-load partners, trade routes handled, and destination-side service capabilities.

When the prime freight forwarder who receives the Booking from the shipper and the NVOCC or co-loader who actually organizes the consolidated container differ, the designated CFS and applicable charges may follow the conditions set by the actual co-loader.

With NVOCC Co-load CFS, the following parties may be distinct:

• Prime freight forwarder receiving the Booking from the shipper
• Issuer of the House B/L
• Actual co-loader
• Export-side CFS
• Shipping line
• Import-side agent
• Issuer of the Arrival Notice
• Issuer of the Delivery Order (D/O)
• Import-side CFS

Charges and Services May Differ Even at the Same CFS Facility

The difference between a Shipping Line CFS and NVOCC Co-load CFS is not just about the physical warehouse.

Even if the address, warehouse operator, and work location are the same, the charges billed to the shipper or freight forwarder can vary depending on the Co-load service used, the contracting party, and the applicable tariff.

Check Items	Physical CFS Facility	Service Specification	Practical Notes
Facility Name	May have the same warehouse name	Different designation conditions by shipping line or NVOCC	Do not judge the service content by the warehouse name alone.
Tariff Sheet	There may be a base rate set by the CFS operator	Shipping line or NVOCC local charges tariff may apply	Confirm the actual invoicing party and applicable tariff.
Scope of Work	The same facility may perform similar operations	The scope of work included in the contract may differ	Check which operations are included in the CFS Charge.
In-gate Reception	The same reception counter may be used	Booking number or service code differs	Confirm the applicable Booking, not only the CFS location.
Billing	CFS may invoice directly	Billing may be through the shipping line, NVOCC, or agent	Check the billing route to prevent duplicate or unresolved charges.

Basic Comparison Between Shipping Line CFS and NVOCC Co-load CFS

Comparison Item	Shipping Line CFS	NVOCC Co-load CFS	Practical Points to Verify
Service Basis	Shipping line’s LCL service or tariff structure	Co-load service provided by an NVOCC or co-loader	Confirm under whose service the Booking is made.
CFS Designation	Designated by the shipping line or its agent	Designated by the NVOCC or co-loader	Do not determine the CFS solely from the name of the prime freight forwarder.
Physical Facility	May use a third-party-operated CFS	May use the same facility as a Shipping Line CFS	Distinguish facility ownership from the applicable tariff and service.
Tariff	Shipping line’s local charge schedule or tariff	NVOCC or co-loader’s tariff	Verify the effective date, port, route, and cargo conditions.
Export-side Guidance	Shipping line or shipping line’s agent	Prime freight forwarder, NVOCC, or co-loader	Confirm the official issuer of the in-gate instructions.
Import-side Guidance	Usually handled by the shipping line’s agent	Handled by the NVOCC or destination-side agent	Confirm the issuer of the Arrival Notice and D/O.
Cargo Handling	Subject to the shipping line’s service terms	The NVOCC may set its own acceptance conditions	Confirm dangerous goods, overlength cargo, heavy cargo, and other special conditions in advance.
Co-load	The relationship may be relatively simple when the shipping line directly provides the LCL service	The prime freight forwarder and actual co-loader may differ	Confirm the identity of the actual co-loader.
Incident Verification	Check records held by the shipping line, agent, and CFS	Check records held by the prime freight forwarder, NVOCC, co-loader, CFS, and agents	Distinguish the contractual contact point from the party performing the actual operation.

CFS Charges Are Not a Uniform National or Industry-Wide Fixed Tariff

CFS charges are not a single fixed rate common nationwide or across all service providers.

Even under the same name “CFS Charge,” unit prices, minimum charges, billing units, and scope of work may vary according to the following factors:

• Export or import
• Port and CFS location
• Shipping line or NVOCC
• Route and destination
• Cargo weight and volume
• General cargo or dangerous goods
• Overlength cargo, heavy cargo, or other special cargo
• After-hours or holiday operations
• Whether transshipment or re-consolidation is involved
• Storage duration
• Whether repacking, inspection, or drayage is required

When reviewing a tariff, confirm not only the unit prices but also the applicable period, billing units, minimum charges, rounding procedures, included operations, and additional charges.

Main Charge Items

Charge Item	General Meaning	Possible Included Operations	Points to Confirm
CFS Charge	Charge related to cargo handling within the CFS	Unloading, acceptance, sorting, storage, vanning, or devanning	The scope of work varies according to the tariff.
THC	Charge related to container handling at the terminal	Handling within the CY or terminal	Confirm whether it overlaps with or is separate from the CFS Charge.
D/O Fee	Charge related to cargo-release instructions for import cargo	D/O issuance and related administration	Confirm the issuing party and payment conditions.
Document Fee	Charge related to document preparation or processing	B/L, Arrival Notice, and other document processing	Confirm the document type and charging unit.
Storage Charge	Storage fee after the applicable free-storage period	Continued storage within the CFS	Confirm the start date, free period, and calculation of days.
In-gate / Gate-out Charges	Charges related to cargo acceptance or release	Unloading, loading, or gate-out assistance	Confirm whether they are included in the CFS Charge.
Special Cargo Charges	Additional charges for cargo requiring special handling	Dangerous goods, overlength cargo, heavy cargo, liquids, or odorous cargo	Confirm both acceptance and charges.
After-hours Charges	Fees for handling outside normal operating hours	Early-morning, nighttime, or holiday in-gate or gate-out	Confirm the advance-reservation requirement and minimum charge.
Drayage Charges	Short-distance transportation charges between a CFS, warehouse, and CY	Transfer to another facility, CY in-gate, or transfer after refusal of acceptance	Confirm whose instruction caused the charge to arise.

What Is RT?

RT stands for Revenue Ton and is a unit used to determine the chargeable quantity for LCL freight or CFS charges.

The Weight/Measurement method generally compares weight and volume according to a prescribed conversion method and applies whichever produces the larger chargeable quantity.

However, the definition of RT is not uniform across all tariffs. The principal calculation methods include the following:

Calculation Method	Weight-side Calculation	Volume-side Calculation	Chargeable RT
1 CBM / 1,000 kg Method	Weight in kg ÷ 1,000	Volume in CBM	The larger of the weight tonnage or CBM
40 Cubic Feet Method	Weight in kg ÷ 1,000	Volume in CBM ÷ approximately 1.1327	The larger of the weight tonnage or Measurement Ton
Minimum Charge Method	Weight conversion specified in the tariff	Volume conversion specified in the tariff	The larger of the calculated value or minimum charge RT
Rounding-up Method	Weight conversion specified in the tariff	Volume conversion specified in the tariff	The quantity rounded up to the prescribed unit

When one Measurement Ton is defined as 40 cubic feet, 40 cubic feet equals approximately 1.132672 CBM and may be treated in practice as approximately 1.133 CBM.

Other tariffs define one RT as the greater of one CBM or 1,000 kg. Therefore, the word “RT” in a quotation or tariff does not by itself establish the applicable calculation method.

Specific Examples of RT Calculation

Cargo Condition	1 CBM / 1,000 kg Method	40 Cubic Feet Method	Practical Notes
Weight 1,000 kg / Volume 0.9 CBM	Weight 1.0 RT and volume 0.9 RT: 1.0 RT applies	Weight 1.0 RT and volume approximately 0.795 RT: 1.0 RT applies	Both methods produce the same result.
Weight 600 kg / Volume 1.1 CBM	Weight 0.6 RT and volume 1.1 RT: 1.1 RT applies	Weight 0.6 RT and volume approximately 0.971 RT: approximately 0.971 RT applies	A minimum charge of one RT may increase the chargeable quantity to one RT.
Weight 500 kg / Volume 2.0 CBM	Weight 0.5 RT and volume 2.0 RT: 2.0 RT applies	Weight 0.5 RT and volume approximately 1.766 RT: approximately 1.766 RT applies	The same cargo produces different chargeable quantities under the two methods.
Weight 1,500 kg / Volume 1.0 CBM	Weight 1.5 RT and volume 1.0 RT: 1.5 RT applies	Weight 1.5 RT and volume approximately 0.883 RT: 1.5 RT applies	The weight side applies to this heavy cargo.

Actual billing may also be affected by minimum charges, rounding to 0.1 RT or one RT, heavy-cargo surcharges, revised measurements, and differences between declared and measured quantities.

If the declared weight or volume differs from the measurement taken at the CFS, the chargeable quantity may be revised using the measured figures.

Concept of Export CFS Charges

An export CFS Charge does not necessarily cover only the delivery of cargo to the warehouse.

Depending on the tariff or service terms, it may include all or part of the following operations:

• Unloading from the truck
• CFS reception and warehousing procedures
• Verification of case marks, quantity, weight, and volume
• Sorting by destination or Booking
• Temporary storage until vanning
• Vanning into the container
• Drayage from the CFS to the CY or another location
• Related administrative processing within the CFS

Overtime work, dangerous goods, overlength cargo, heavy cargo, odorous cargo, liquid cargo, repacking, inspection, label application, palletizing, and long-term storage may be charged separately.

Export-side Operation	May Be Included in the CFS Charge	May Incur Additional Charges	Matters to Confirm
Standard Unloading	May be included	Special vehicles or heavy cargo may incur additional charges	Confirm the vehicle and handling conditions.
Reception and Sorting	Often included	Special counting or inspection may incur additional charges	Distinguish standard checks from additional work.
Temporary Storage	May be included for a limited period	Long-term or segregated storage may incur additional charges	Confirm the free-storage period and start date.
Vanning	May be included in the base charge	Special stowage, securing, or machinery may incur additional charges	Confirm the applicable stowage conditions.
Drayage	Included under some tariffs	Separately billed under other tariffs	Confirm the scope from the CFS to the CY.

Concept of Import CFS Charges

An import CFS Charge relates to unloading cargo from an arriving consolidated container, sorting it by House B/L or cargo owner, and preparing it for release.

The following operations may be involved on the import side:

• CFS in-gate of the container
• Devanning
• Sorting by House B/L or cargo owner
• Verification of quantity and packaging condition
• Handling within the CFS
• Preparation for gate-out
• Cargo handling at gate-out
• Storage for a specified period

Even after an Import Permit has been obtained, cargo may not be available for release until devanning and sorting have been completed.

Storage charges may arise after the free-storage period expires. Depending on the tariff, the calculation may begin from the vessel-arrival date, CFS in-gate date, devanning-completion date, or the date when the cargo becomes available for gate-out.

Main Characteristics of Shipping Line CFS

Item	Main Characteristics	Potential Advantages	Points to Note
Rate Structure	May be based on the shipping line’s local-charge tariff	Published rates or standard charge items may be easier to identify	The tariff alone may not establish the complete scope of work.
Schedule	Linked to the shipping line’s vessel service	May be easier to align with vessel-schedule information	Skipped port calls, delays, and CFS work schedules require separate confirmation.
Import-side Guidance	Provided by the shipping line or its local agent	The relationship with the Master B/L side may be easier to understand	A different party may issue the House B/L.
Cargo Handling	Follows the shipping line’s service conditions	Standardized acceptance conditions may apply	Special cargo is not accepted uniformly.
Liability Relationships	May involve the shipping line, agent, and CFS	The party responsible for the ocean leg may be easier to identify	The term “Shipping Line CFS” does not by itself identify the Contracting Carrier.

Main Characteristics of NVOCC Co-load CFS

Item	Main Characteristics	Potential Advantages	Points of Caution
Service Design	Based on the NVOCC’s Co-load network	May serve numerous destinations and small shipments	Confirm the actual co-loader and any transit points.
CFS Designation	Determined by route, destination, Co-load partner, and planned vanning location	May allow the CFS to be selected for the relevant service	The prime freight forwarder’s location and designated CFS may differ.
Pricing Structure	NVOCC-specific tariff or quotation conditions	May provide flexible pricing according to route and cargo conditions	It may not be directly comparable with a shipping line tariff.
Import-side Guidance	Handled by the NVOCC or destination-side agent	May provide guidance on a House B/L basis	Confirm the issuer of the Arrival Notice and D/O.
Stakeholders	May involve the prime freight forwarder, NVOCC, co-loader, CFS, and overseas agents	May allow flexible coordination	Separately confirm the contractual contact, billing party, and actual operators.

When Using a CFS Designated under a Co-load Arrangement

Under a Co-load arrangement, the prime freight forwarder receiving the Booking from the shipper may use another NVOCC or consolidator instead of arranging its own consolidated container.

The designated CFS, CFS cut-off, charges, import-side CFS, Arrival Notice issuer, and D/O issuer may therefore be governed by the actual co-loader’s service conditions.

If the shipper or inland delivery provider relies only on the prime freight forwarder’s company name, location, or previously used CFS, the cargo may be delivered to the wrong CFS.

At a minimum, the following items should be confirmed:

• Actual co-loader
• Official Booking number
• Name and address of the designated CFS
• CFS cut-off
• Applicable tariff
• Acceptance conditions for dangerous goods and special cargo
• Import-side CFS
• Arrival Notice issuer
• D/O issuer
• Billing party and payment conditions

Relationship Between the Arrival Notice, D/O, and Import-side CFS

For import LCL cargo, the Arrival Notice is used to confirm the final ETA, import-side CFS, D/O issuer, local charges, and pickup conditions.

When a Shipping Line CFS is used, the shipping line’s local agent may issue the Arrival Notice or charge information. Under an NVOCC Co-load service, the House B/L issuer or its destination-side agent may handle the Arrival Notice and D/O procedures.

Item to Confirm	Details to Confirm	Contact Point	Notes
Arrival Notice Issuer	Party issuing the formal arrival notice and invoice	House B/L issuer or agent	Distinguish informal arrival information from the formal Arrival Notice.
D/O Issuer	Entity authorizing cargo release	NVOCC, shipping line, or agent	Confirm whether it is also the party receiving payment.
Import-side CFS	Facility where the cargo is devanned and stored	Arrival Notice, agent, or CFS	Confirm the name, address, and gate-out reservation method.
Earliest Gate-out Date	Date when cargo becomes available for pickup after devanning and sorting	CFS or agent	The vessel-arrival date and earliest gate-out date may differ.
Storage Charges	Free-storage period, start date, and daily rate	CFS or tariff	Do not assume that calculation starts when the Arrival Notice is received.

Special Cargo and After-hours Operations

Neither a Shipping Line CFS nor an NVOCC Co-load CFS necessarily accepts all cargo at standard rates.

Cargo / Operation	Additional Confirmation	Examples of Additional Charges	Practical Notes
Dangerous Goods	UN No., Class, Packing Group, and SDS	Dangerous goods handling, declaration, and segregation charges	Confirm acceptance by both the CFS and vessel.
Overlength Cargo	Dimensions, handling equipment, and stowage method	Overlength surcharge and special handling charges	Confirm whether a standard forklift can handle the cargo.
Heavy Cargo	Individual weight, floor-load capacity, and heavy equipment	Heavy-cargo surcharge and crane charges	Confirm the capacity of the CFS equipment.
Odorous or Liquid Cargo	SDS, packing, leakage risk, and effect on other cargo	Segregated storage, repacking, and cleaning charges	The cargo may be rejected even when it is not dangerous goods.
Temperature-Controlled Cargo	Storage temperature, applicable segments, and working hours	Temperature-control and dedicated-storage charges	A standard CFS may not be able to provide the required service.
After-hours Operations	Work date, time, reservation, and available personnel	After-hours surcharge and minimum operation charge	Same-day requests may not be accepted.

Why Comparing Charges Alone Is Risky

A lower CFS Charge does not necessarily produce a lower total cost or operational burden.

Comparison Item	Potential Issue with an Apparently Cheaper Service	Additional Charges or Effects	How to Compare
CFS Location	Far from the shipper or collection point	Inland delivery costs, additional time, and drayage charges	Compare the total cost from the collection point to the CFS.
CFS Cut-off	Early in-gate deadline	Advance storage, rearrangement, or schedule effects	Confirm compatibility with the cargo-completion date.
Storage Charges	Short free-storage period or early start date	Storage charges	Compare the calculation start date and free days.
Gate-out Reservation	Difficult to secure a reservation slot	Vehicle waiting, redelivery, or storage charges	Confirm the reservation method and congestion conditions.
Special Cargo	Low standard rate but high special-cargo surcharges	Special handling, segregation, or repacking	Obtain a quotation based on the actual cargo.
Arrival Notice	Unclear issuer or information route	Customs clearance delay, storage charges, or delivery changes	Confirm the import-side agent in advance.
D/O Procedures	Issuer or payment method takes time to confirm	Gate-out delay and additional administration	Confirm the D/O issuance conditions.

Selection Flow for Shipping Line CFS and NVOCC Co-load CFS

1. Confirm the destination, quantity, weight, volume, and required schedule.
2. Confirm the available shipping line LCL and NVOCC Co-load services.
3. Identify the actual export-side and import-side CFS facilities.
4. Obtain the applicable CFS Charge and other local-charge tariffs.
5. Confirm the RT definition, minimum charge, and rounding rules.
6. Confirm which export-side and import-side operations are included in the CFS Charge.
7. Confirm additional charges for dangerous goods, overlength cargo, heavy cargo, and other special cargo.
8. For a Co-load arrangement, identify the actual co-loader and designated CFS.
9. Confirm the Arrival Notice and D/O issuers.
10. Confirm storage charges, gate-out reservations, after-hours operations, and drayage conditions.
11. Compare total costs, including ocean freight, CFS charges, inland delivery, and delay effects.
12. Record the charges, service scope, and selection rationale before finalizing the Booking.

Scope of Involvement under the Freight Forwarder’s Standard Five Classifications

The Standard Five Classifications used in this article are not classifications established by law or industry-wide consensus. They serve as an analytical framework within this series for organizing the scope of freight forwarder involvement.

Standard Five Classifications	Typical Involvement in CFS Charges and Services	Contractual Position with the Shipper	Main Points to Confirm	Practical Notes
Simple Intermediary	Relays charges and information from shipping lines, NVOCCs, or CFS operators	Does not undertake transportation in its own name	Whether the applicable charges and conditions were accurately communicated	Do not confuse relaying rate information with guaranteeing the final charge.
Cargo Transportation Service Provider	Provides LCL services using Actual Carriers and CFS operators	May bear contractual responsibility under a cargo transportation service contract	Whether an appropriate CFS, tariff, and subcontractor were selected	Separate subcontractor billing from contractual responsibility to the shipper.
NVOCC / House B/L Issuer	Issues a House B/L and undertakes LCL transportation including CFS services	Highly likely to be the Contracting Carrier	Charges, delivery location, CFS, liability limitation, and notification deadlines	Costs under the Master B/L may not correspond to charges billed to the shipper.
Door-to-Door Single Contractor	Integrates collection, CFS, ocean transport, customs clearance, and inland delivery	Provides multiple stages as one integrated service	Total cost, including CFS charges, and the subcontractor for each segment	This does not guarantee that no individual or additional charge will arise.
Agent/Coordinator for Specific Operations	Coordinates specific tasks such as CFS Booking, rate confirmation, D/O collection, or gate-out reservations	Responsible only for specifically delegated operations	Scope of delegation and the matters actually confirmed	Does not necessarily bear responsibility for the entire LCL transport or all charges.

Contracting Carrier and Actual Carrier are legal or contractual concepts and are not alternative classifications that replace the Standard Five Classifications used in this article.

Operational activities such as in-gate handling, storage, vanning, devanning, drayage, inspection, document issuance, or gate-out reservations do not themselves constitute a sixth classification.

For example, the prime freight forwarder may act as an NVOCC / House B/L Issuer and Contracting Carrier, a co-loader may arrange the CFS and vessel, a CFS operator may perform the CFS work, and the shipping line may perform the ocean carriage.

Each party’s contractual position, involvement under the Standard Five Classifications, billing route, and actual operational role must be confirmed separately.

Points of Contact for Incident Confirmation

When damage, wet damage, contamination, or a quantity shortage is identified during CFS in-gate, storage, vanning, devanning, or gate-out, the notification recipients cannot be determined solely by whether the facility is described as a Shipping Line CFS or NVOCC Co-load CFS.

Item to Confirm	Main Contact	Documents to Check	Notes
Contractual Contact Point	Prime freight forwarder or House B/L issuer	Quotation, Booking, and House B/L	Distinguish the contractual counterparty from the actual operator.
CFS Operations	Export-side or import-side CFS	In-gate, vanning, devanning, and gate-out records	Secure the records promptly after the incident is identified.
Co-load	Actual co-loader	Co-load records, stowage information, and container number	The prime freight forwarder may not hold all operational records.
Ocean Transport	Shipping line or Master B/L contact point	Master B/L and container movements	Confirm the relationship with the House B/L side.
Insurance	Insurance company or handling insurance agent	Photographs, incident notice, and survey documents	Notify promptly without waiting for liability to be determined.

Detailed notification recipients, concurrent notification, notification records, and the distinction from a formal Claim Letter are covered in “Accident Notification Destinations for Co-loaded Cargo”.

Common Practical Issues

Common Issue	Main Cause	Reference Documents	Key Points for Judgment	Initial Response
Charges differ for two shipments using the same CFS	Different shipping line or NVOCC tariffs apply	Quotation, tariff, and Booking	Distinguish the physical facility from the applicable service contract.	Confirm the applicable tariff and billing party.
The final RT is higher than the quotation	Different calculation method, measured quantity, or rounding rule	Quotation conditions, measurement record, and tariff	Confirm the weight, volume, minimum charge, and rounding.	Obtain the detailed calculation basis.
Charges other than the CFS Charge are billed	Special operations were not included in the base charge	Tariff, work records, and quotation	Distinguish standard operations from additional operations.	Confirm the work performed and prior approval.
The cargo is instructed to enter a CFS different from the one previously used	The actual co-loader designated another CFS	Booking Confirmation and in-gate instructions	Confirm the identity of the actual co-loader.	Confirm the official CFS and CFS cut-off.
The import-side CFS differs from the initial information	Change in onward service or destination-side agent	Arrival Notice and agent information	Confirm the official import-side CFS.	Revise customs clearance and delivery arrangements.
A delayed Arrival Notice results in storage charges	Delayed information sharing or connection confirmation	Cargo status, Arrival Notice, and storage tariff	Distinguish cargo delay from document delay.	Confirm the calculation start date and free-storage period.
A surcharge is billed even though the cargo is not dangerous goods	Special handling or segregation was required	SDS, CFS response, and tariff	Distinguish dangerous goods classification from special handling.	Confirm the work performed and charging basis.
A cheaper CFS Charge results in higher inland delivery costs	The in-gate or pickup location is farther away	CFS address, inland delivery quotation, and total quotation	Do not compare only ocean-related charges.	Recalculate the total cost.
Multiple invoices appear to duplicate the same charge	The shipping line, NVOCC, agent, and CFS invoice separately	Invoices, tariffs, and quotation	Determine whether the charges relate to the same or different work.	Compare the charge items with the actual scope of work.

Common Misconceptions

Misconception	Actual Understanding	Practical Notes
A Shipping Line CFS is always owned by the shipping line.	A shipping line may designate a third-party-operated CFS.	Distinguish the facility owner from the service provider.
Shipping Line CFS rates are uniform nationwide.	Rates vary according to the port, route, shipping line, and cargo conditions.	Confirm the tariff applicable to each shipment.
An NVOCC Co-load CFS is always a different physical facility from a Shipping Line CFS.	The same physical CFS may be used.	Confirm the applicable service and tariff.
The CFS Charge includes every CFS operation.	Special handling, storage, repacking, and other operations may be charged separately.	Confirm the included scope of work.
RT is calculated in the same way under every tariff.	The one-CBM method and 40-cubic-foot method may both be used.	Confirm the conversion formula, minimum charge, and rounding rule.
The RT shown in the quotation will always be used for the final invoice.	The quantity may be revised based on the weight and volume measured at the CFS.	Confirm the measurement record and reason for any revision.
Selecting the lowest CFS Charge always produces the lowest total cost.	Inland delivery, storage, drayage, and additional work may increase the total cost.	Compare the total Door-to-Door cost.
Cargo should be delivered to the prime freight forwarder’s usual warehouse.	The actual co-loader may designate a different CFS.	Confirm the official in-gate instructions for each Booking.
Cargo can be gated out immediately after vessel arrival.	Devanning, sorting, and gate-out preparation must first be completed.	Confirm the official earliest gate-out date.
When a Shipping Line CFS is used, only the shipping line needs to be notified of an incident.	The House B/L issuer, CFS operator, prime freight forwarder, and insurance parties may also require notification.	Notify both contractual contact points and actual operators as necessary.

Decision Checklist

Check Point	Party to Confirm	Items to Confirm	Action if Problems Arise
When Comparing Quotations	Prime Freight Forwarder / Shipping Line / NVOCC	Whether the service is a shipping line LCL service or NVOCC Co-load service	Obtain comparable quotations under the same conditions.
When Confirming Charges	Party Providing the Charges	Unit prices and scope of the CFS Charge, THC, D/O Fee, and other charges	Obtain a breakdown by charge item.
When Confirming RT	Shipping Line / NVOCC / CFS	Conversion formula, minimum charge, rounding, and measured-quantity adjustment	Confirm a calculation example in writing.
Before Booking	Prime Freight Forwarder / NVOCC	Actual co-loader and designated CFS	Do not arrange inland delivery before confirmation.
Before CFS In-gate	CFS / Prime Freight Forwarder	CFS cut-off, Booking number, required documents, and reservation	Obtain the official in-gate instructions.
When Confirming Special Cargo	CFS / Co-loader	Acceptance, additional charges, and packing conditions	Consider repacking or an alternative service.
When Confirming Export Operations	CFS / NVOCC	Unloading, storage, vanning, and drayage included in the CFS Charge	Obtain quotations for excluded operations.
Before Import Arrival	Import-side Agent	Arrival Notice, D/O issuer, and import-side CFS	Do not finalize delivery arrangements while the information remains uncertain.
Before CFS Gate-out	Import-side CFS	Devanning completion, earliest gate-out date, storage charges, and reservation method	Arrange pickup according to the official gate-out conditions.
When Confirming Additional Charges	Billing Party / Prime Freight Forwarder	Work performed, charging basis, and prior approval	Compare the tariff with the work records.
When an Incident Occurs	Prime Freight Forwarder / House B/L Issuer / CFS / Insurance Parties	Incident segment, photographs, CFS records, and notification deadlines	Preserve evidence and notify the required parties concurrently.
When Selecting the Next Shipment	Shipper / Freight Forwarder	Actual total cost, operational efficiency, delay history, and billing clarity	Apply the actual performance to the next selection.

Example 1: RT Differs Between the One-CBM Method and the 40-Cubic-Foot Method

Assume that the cargo weighs 500 kg and measures 2.0 CBM.

Under a tariff defining one RT as the greater of one CBM or 1,000 kg, the weight factor is 0.5 RT and the volume factor is 2.0 RT. The chargeable quantity is therefore 2.0 RT.

Under a tariff defining one Measurement Ton as 40 cubic feet, or approximately 1.1327 CBM, the volume factor is calculated as 2.0 CBM divided by approximately 1.1327 CBM, producing approximately 1.766 RT. Because this is greater than the weight factor of 0.5 RT, approximately 1.766 RT is the base chargeable quantity.

In practice, rounding to 0.1 RT or one RT and minimum charge rules may also apply. The unit rate, RT formula, minimum charge, and rounding method must therefore all be confirmed.

Example 2: Charges Differ Despite Use of the Same CFS Facility

Two export LCL shipments are delivered to the same CFS address. One uses the shipping line’s LCL service, while the other uses an NVOCC Co-load service.

The physical warehouse and basic operations are the same, but the applicable tariffs, minimum charges, and treatment of drayage differ, producing different final invoices.

The review should focus on the Booking party, actual co-loader, applicable tariff, and operations included in the CFS Charge rather than the warehouse name alone.

The different charges may be valid because the shipments are handled under different service contracts.

Example 3: Cargo Is Delivered to the Wrong CFS in a Co-load Arrangement

The shipper delivers the cargo to a CFS previously used by the prime freight forwarder. For the current Booking, however, a different co-loader is being used and another CFS has been designated.

The cargo must be moved by drayage to the correct CFS, resulting in additional inland delivery, unloading, and redelivery charges. The cargo also misses the CFS cut-off and must be rebooked on a later vessel.

The Booking Confirmation, in-gate instructions, email records, and identity of the party that provided the CFS information should be reviewed.

For each Co-load shipment, the official CFS name, address, Booking number, and CFS cut-off must be confirmed instead of relying on the prime freight forwarder’s name or previous arrangements.

Example 4: Storage Charges Arise after a Delayed Arrival Notice

The import LCL cargo arrives as scheduled, but information exchange between the NVOCC and destination-side agent is delayed. The Arrival Notice is consequently issued late to the importer.

By the time the importer begins the D/O and inland delivery procedures, most of the free-storage period has elapsed and storage charges arise at gate-out.

The actual arrival date, devanning-completion date, earliest gate-out date, Arrival Notice issuance date, and start date of the free-storage period should be confirmed separately.

Responsibility for the storage charges depends not only on the tariff but also on the obligation to issue the Arrival Notice, the information-exchange history, whether the importer could reasonably have confirmed the arrival through another route, and the timing of each party’s response.

Summary

The difference between Shipping Line CFS and NVOCC Co-load CFS is not simply warehouse ownership or facility name. It concerns the LCL service, contractual route, and tariff under which the CFS is designated.

Even when the same physical CFS is used, the CFS Charge, minimum charge, work scope, billing party, and notification route may differ between a shipping line service and an NVOCC or co-loader service.

The term “CFS Charge” does not establish that unloading, sorting, storage, vanning, devanning, drayage, and gate-out operations are all included.

RT may be calculated using the greater of one CBM or 1,000 kg, a 40-cubic-foot Measurement Ton, minimum charges, and tariff-specific rounding. The applicable method must be confirmed for each tariff.

On the export side, confirm the designated CFS, CFS cut-off, Booking number, vanning, and drayage. On the import side, confirm the Arrival Notice, D/O issuer, import-side CFS, devanning completion, earliest gate-out date, and storage charges.

Under a Co-load arrangement, the prime freight forwarder receiving the Booking from the shipper and the co-loader arranging the CFS and consolidated container may be different entities. The designated CFS and applicable tariff must be confirmed for each shipment.

Charges should be compared using the total cost, including the CFS Charge, ocean freight, inland delivery, drayage, storage, special handling, after-hours charges, Arrival Notice procedures, and D/O procedures.

When an incident occurs, notification should not be limited according to whether the facility is described as a Shipping Line CFS or NVOCC Co-load CFS. The prime freight forwarder, House B/L issuer, CFS, co-loader, shipping line, and insurance parties should be notified as required. Details are covered in “Accident Notification Destinations for Co-loaded Cargo.”

This article provides a general explanation of international logistics practice and does not establish fixed charges or provide legal, customs, insurance, or contractual advice for a specific shipment. Actual charges, work scope, acceptance conditions, additional charges, and liabilities depend on the tariff, quotation, Booking conditions, House B/L, Master B/L, applicable clauses, CFS conditions, and facts of the individual case.