由 caicai8478 For a long time, surcharges in international freight have been a major headache for supply chain managers: numerous, complex to calculate, and fluctuating, resembling a “muddled account.” However, driven by industry trends, this “game” surrounding surcharges is coming to an end. The management and collection of surcharges are evolving profoundly towards digitalization, standardization, and greening. Whoever embraces this trend first will gain a commanding position in cost control in the future.
I. Digitalization: From “Black Box” to “Transparency,” Ending the Gray Area
Current Pain Points: The collection of surcharges heavily relies on manual notifications, manual invoicing, and post-event explanations. Lack of transparency and difficulty in verification provide fertile ground for various “gray charges.”
Future Vision:
Dynamic Transparent Pricing:
Through blockchain and IoT technologies, data such as fuel consumption, port berthing time, and container status in port will be recorded in real time and immutably.
Results: Fuel surcharges (BAF) will no longer be a fixed estimate, but dynamically calculated based on actual fuel consumption for each voyage; detention/demurrage will be automatically calculated based on the precise opening and closing times of container IoT locks. Everything is traceable and verifiable.
AI Prediction and Cost Simulation:
The AI platform will integrate massive amounts of data, including historical data, real-time market information, weather forecasts, and port operation status.
Results: The system can predict potential surcharges (such as PSS and CGS) for specific routes at a future timeframe and provide cost simulations for your logistics solutions, helping you choose the optimal and most economical route, shifting from “post-event explanation” to “pre-event prediction.”
Automated Reconciliation and Payment:
Standardized surcharge data will be integrated with electronic invoices and smart contracts.
Results: Corporate financial systems can directly and automatically reconcile invoices and complete payments, greatly reducing financial burdens and eliminating human error and disputes.
II. Standardization: From Vast Differences to a Unified Language
Current Pain Point: Different shipping companies and freight forwarders use different names, definitions, and calculation methods for the same surcharge, creating a “Tower of Babel” that makes price comparison and management extremely difficult.
Future Vision:
Unified Names and Definitions:
Driven by industry alliances and major clients, surcharges will gradually develop globally unified naming and clear definitions, much like “standard container dimensions.”
Result: Regardless of which carrier you book with, BAF will be BAF and PSS will be PSS, with identical meanings. Clients will no longer need to painstakingly “decode” them.
Standardized Calculation Methods:
The calculation formulas for surcharges will become more transparent and standardized. For example, BAF will be publicly linked to a recognized fuel price index, and its calculation formula will be published.
Result: Clients can verify the reasonableness of surcharges themselves, just like checking fuel prices. Negotiation will shift from a game of strategy to cooperation based on transparent data.
Regulatory-Driven Compliance:
Global regulatory bodies (such as the US Federal Maritime Commission, FMC) are strengthening oversight of arbitrary charges in the shipping industry.
Result: Mandatory fee disclosure and prohibitions on unreasonable charges will externally drive the entire industry towards standardization and compliance.
III. Greening: From “Cost Item” to “Value Item”
Current Pain Point: Traditional surcharges focus only on economic costs, neglecting environmental costs. Green shipping typically means higher initial investment.
Future Vision:
Carbon Tax and Emission Surcharges:
With the implementation of policies such as the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the EU’s “Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism,” carbon emissions will become a clearly defined cost.
Result: Carbon emission surcharges will be introduced, levied based on the ship’s energy efficiency rating, the type of fuel used, and the carbon emissions of the route. Customers choosing green routes may enjoy lower carbon taxes.
Green Premium and Customer Choice:
Shipping companies investing in low-carbon/zero-carbon fuels (such as LNG, methanol, and ammonia) will incur higher operating costs.
Results: This will be reflected in the form of a “green surcharge” or “green premium.” At that time, the surcharge will no longer be a pure “cost,” but rather a value choice for enterprises to implement ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) strategies and build green supply chains. Companies willing to pay for environmental protection will reap rewards in terms of brand reputation and market access.
Data-Driven Green Proof:
Digital platforms will provide a detailed “carbon footprint list” for each shipment.
Result: The green surcharge you pay will correspond to a clear reduction in carbon dioxide emissions, becoming strong evidence in your company’s sustainability report.
Conclusion: From Passive Acceptance to Proactive Management
The future of surcharges represents a profound paradigm shift. It is transforming from an opaque, controversial “cost black hole” into a transparent, predictable, and even strategically selectable element of supply chain management.
For foreign trade and logistics companies, it is necessary to prepare for this now:
Embrace Technology: Actively introduce or connect to logistics management platforms capable of handling dynamic data.
Drive Standards: Proactively request more standardized cost definitions and more transparent calculation methods in inquiries and contracts. Strategic Perspective: Integrate the green surcharge into the company’s ESG strategic framework, viewing it as an investment that creates long-term brand value and compliance advantages.