"Can you send me a full quotation for 2 x 20GP from Shanghai to Jebel Ali? I want to know exactly what is included." — this exact enquiry landed in my inbox last Tuesday. The shipper had been burned before by a low base rate that ballooned after departure with unexpected surcharges. He wanted clarity. And he is not alone.
With Red Sea disruptions driving carriers to reroute via the Cape of Good Hope, container imbalances have worsened, and spot rates on the China–Middle East lane have seen sharp Red Sea surcharges layered on top of usual fees. The question “What is included in a sea freight quotation?” has never been more urgent for importers moving machinery, building materials, or lithium batteries to Jebel Ali, Dammam, Jeddah, or Hamad Port.
1. The Core Components of Any Sea Freight Quotation
A professional freight quotation is not just an ocean freight number. It is a bundle of services and charges. Here is what you should expect to see itemised — and what each line means for your total landed cost.
| Fee Component | What It Covers | Typical Range (per FCL container) |
|---|---|---|
| Ocean Freight (BAS) | Basic sea transport from origin port to destination port | Varies by route and season |
| BAF / Bunker Adjustment Factor | Fuel cost fluctuation recovery | USD 200–600 |
| CAF / Currency Adjustment Factor | Exchange rate risk for carriers | 2–5% of freight |
| THC (Terminal Handling Charge) – Origin | Loading, container handling at origin port | USD 150–350 |
| THC – Destination | Unloading, container handling at destination port | USD 180–400 |
| Documentation Fee (DOC) | Bill of lading, manifest, clearance documents | USD 40–80 |
| Seal Fee | Container security seal | USD 5–15 |
| ISPS (International Ship & Port Security) | Security surcharge per container | USD 10–30 |
| War Risk / Red Sea Surcharge | Additional insurance & routing cost via Cape of Good Hope | USD 500–2,500 |
2. Why “What is included in a sea freight quotation?” Matters More Now
Since early this year, carriers have introduced or raised Red Sea surcharges on almost every China–Middle East service. A quotation that looked competitive in March may now carry an extra USD 1,200 per container in contingency fees. Shippers who did not lock down the full scope of charges at booking time have faced painful amendments when SI cut‑off approached and final invoices arrived.
For example, a recent booking for DDP to Riyadh via Dammam originally quoted at USD 2,800 all-in. By the time the container was loaded, the carrier added a Persian Gulf rate adjustment plus a Red Sea surcharge, pushing the total to USD 3,650. The forwarder had not specified that the base rate excluded these contingency items. The importer learned the hard way that “What is included in a sea freight quotation?” must be answered in writing before any booking confirmation.
3. Beyond Ocean Freight: Destination & Compliance Charges
A complete quotation for Middle East destinations should also include destination-side fees, especially if you are shipping under DDP terms. Key items often missed:
- SABER/SASO certification fee – Required for all shipments to Saudi Arabia. CoC (Certificate of Conformity) costs vary by product category, typically USD 200–600.
- Customs clearance charges in UAE, Saudi, or Qatar – broker fees, inspection costs, and possible demurrage if documentation is incomplete.
- Demurrage & detention – Free time at container yards is usually 4–7 days. After that, daily charges of USD 60–150 apply.
- Port congestion surcharges – Jebel Ali and Hamad Port have seen periodic backlogs this year, triggering temporary surcharges.
Pro tip: When you receive a quotation, always ask: “Does this include all destination THC, documentation, and SABER/SASO compliance fees? Are Red Sea surcharges separate? What is the validity period?” Get the answers in writing.
4. How to Lock Down Your Quotation Early
The simplest defence against surcharge surprises is to ask your forwarder for a full, itemised quotation at the initial enquiry stage — and to book early. Here is a practical checklist to share with your operations team:
- Request a validity period (minimum 7–14 days) for the quoted all-in rate.
- Confirm which surcharges are included in the base rate (BAF, CAF, ISPS, Red Sea surcharge).
- Get a destination charge breakdown in writing — especially for Dammam and Jeddah where customs procedures differ.
- If shipping dangerous goods (like lithium batteries), check the DG surcharge and IMDG documentation fee — these are often quoted separately.
- Book at least 2 weeks before SI cut‑off to lock in space and avoid amendment fees.
5. Real-World Example: A Cost Breakdown in Practice
Let us look at a real quotation for 1 x 40HQ from Ningbo to Jebel Ali with an FCL rate as of last month:
| Charge Item | Amount (USD) |
|---|---|
| Ocean Freight (BAS) | 1,450 |
| BAF | 320 |
| CAF (3%) | 44 |
| Origin THC | 250 |
| Destination THC | 290 |
| Documentation Fee | 55 |
| ISPS | 15 |
| Seal Fee | 10 |
| Red Sea Surcharge | 1,050 |
| Total All-In | 3,484 |
Notice that the Red Sea surcharge accounts for 30% of the total. Without that line item, the initial quote of USD 2,434 would have looked far more attractive — but misleading. “What is included in a sea freight quotation?” here is the difference between a responsible budget and an unpleasant surprise.
6. Practical Advice for Shippers
To navigate Red Sea surcharges and volatile Middle East freight rates in the current market, consider these actions:
- Compare at least three forwarders' itemised quotations — not just total price, but line-by-line charges.
- Negotiate a cap on surcharge increases during the booking validity period (some forwarders offer a “no surcharge change” guarantee for 7 days).
- If you ship to Saudi Arabia, ensure your SABER product registration is started before booking — delays in certification can trigger amendment fees and container detention.
- For LCL shipments, confirm the consolidation charge and CFS (container freight station) fee — these are extra and vary widely.
A well-prepared shipper does not just ask for a price. They ask for “What is included in a sea freight quotation?” — and they lock down every component before hitting the booking button. Doing so early, before capacity tightens and surcharges spike, is the single most effective way to protect your supply chain budget through the next quarter.