TSA LINES TO IMPLEMENT CHINA TERMINAL HANDLING CHARGE

TSA LINES TO IMPLEMENT CHINA TERMINAL HANDLING CHARGE    Shipping lines of the Transpacific Stabilization Agreement will implement a terminal handling charge for cargo moving from China to the United States, effective Jan. 15.
   The charge will be Renmibi370 ($45) per 20-foot dry container and Renmibi560 (about $68) per 40-footer. For reefer boxes, it will be Renmibi410 ($50) per 20-foot container and Renmibi610 (about $74) per 40-footer.
The surcharges will apply to call Chinese cargo except from Guandong, Guangxi, Hainan, Yunnan and Shanghai provinces, where the existing origin receiving surcharge of $141 per 20-foot container and $269 per 40-footer will continue to apply. Additionally, the Shanghai port surcharge of $66 per 20-foot container and $88 per 40-footer will continue to apply. These existing charges will apply under the new designation 'THC.'
   TSA member lines said the charge reflects rising terminal-related costs in handling cargo and managing carrier equipment throughout China, and 'allows carriers to be more transparent in their pricing.'
   The surcharge rates are identical to those announced Thursday by the Far Eastern Freight Conference and Mediterranean Rate Agreement.