What are BAF, PSS and THC on a freight quote?

BAF covers changes in ship fuel costs, PSS is a peak season surcharge, and THC is the terminal handling charge at origin or destination.

List them as separate lines from the base ocean rate, so a surcharge change doesn't look like you moved your price, and group them by where they're incurred so the Incoterm split is clear.

Full guide: Ocean freight surcharges explained.

Other surcharges you will see

• CAF (currency adjustment factor): covers exchange-rate movements between the freight currency and local costs.
• LSS (low sulphur surcharge): fuel compliance cost, often folded into BAF now.
• ISPS: port security fee, per container.
• GRI (general rate increase): not a surcharge but an announced increase to base rates from a set date.
• EBS / EIS: emergency bunker or equipment imbalance surcharges, used when costs jump quickly.

How to show them on a quote

List each surcharge as its own line with its basis (per container, per W/M, per shipment) and currency. Customers compare "all-in" totals, so a quote that hides BAF in the freight looks cheaper until the invoice arrives. If you quote all-in, say which surcharges are included and until what date, because BAF and PSS are revised on their own schedule.