Blog

Perspectivas sobre comercio internacional, exportaciones, importaciones, logística y aduanas.

Resource Library

Wharfage: Meaning, Fees and How It Affects Your Shipment

Wharfage: Meaning, Fees and How It Affects Your Shipment

Wharfage charges are fees collected by the port authorities to use their wharf to moor a vessel or to load and unload cargo to or from a vessel. However, it does not include services like inspecting, sorting, weighing, loading and unloading, stevedoring charges, etc. It is also called Cargo Dues or CD in many countries. In simple terms, it is the fee charged for using a wharf

23 February 2026 6 min read
What is 40 feet container? Sizes & Capacity of 40ft Containers

What is 40 feet container? Sizes & Capacity of 40ft Containers

40ft shipping containers are among the largest standard-sized containers available for storing and transporting goods across the globe. These containers' storage volume and versatility make them a staple of international trade. The dimensions of these shipping containers are measured uniformly in international trade using the imperial system (in feet and inches).

20 February 2026 8 min read
What Are High Cube Containers in Shipping? Meaning, Types & Uses

What Are High Cube Containers in Shipping? Meaning, Types & Uses

Maritime shipping has witnessed a steady growth between 1980 and 2020 with over 1.5 billion tons of cargo being transported in 2020 alone. Shippers prefer containerization as the most efficient and cost-effective means to load cargo at the departure and unload them at the destination.

20 February 2026 7 min read
What Is a Dry Van? A Complete Guide on Dry Van Shipping

What Is a Dry Van? A Complete Guide on Dry Van Shipping

The efficacy of cargo-shipping and logistics depends on embracing new technologies and fostering interdepartmental communication. Logistics companies look for the most affordable and versatile options to enable smoother transportation of shipments.

19 February 2026 8 min read
What is Harbor Maintenance Fees? Guide on HMF in US

What is Harbor Maintenance Fees? Guide on HMF in US

Ocean freight requires thorough information about the cargo contents, purchase prices, origin and destination. When maritime cargo passes through US ports at least once during their journey, they are liable to attract a harbor maintenance fee and merchandise processing fee on domestic shipments and imports alike.

19 February 2026 5 min read
What is a Top Open Container? Types, Designs, Specifications & Dimensions

What is a Top Open Container? Types, Designs, Specifications & Dimensions

The basic structure of shipping containers is much more significant than what many people may think. That’s because factors such as the safety of goods being carried, the quantity of goods that can be accommodated, and others depend heavily on it. Essentially, there are several types of cargo containers.

18 February 2026 6 min read
What is MPF (Merchandise Processing Fees)? A Complete Guide

What is MPF (Merchandise Processing Fees)? A Complete Guide

The Merchandise Processing Fee (MPF) is a payment that needs to be made to the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) for imports into the US. MPF is considered to be an ad valorem tax, meaning that it is a percentage of the estimated value of the imported goods.

18 February 2026 6 min read
What is A Switch Bill of Lading? Meaning, Procedure & More

What is A Switch Bill of Lading? Meaning, Procedure & More

In international shipping, a Bill of Lading (B/L) acts as a receipt and contract between the shipper and the carrier. It contains all the details needed to process the shipment and create accurate invoices. This document is crucial for maintaining transparency and complying with laws of two or more jurisdictions, especially during cross-border trading.

18 February 2026 9 min read