Terminal Handling Charge

Terminal Handling Charges (THC) are fees assessed by marine port terminals to cover the physical cost of operating heavy equipment, cranes, and labor to handle containers inside the terminal.

Two THC events occur for every container shipment: Origin THC (OTHC) charged at the port of departure for receiving the container from the truck and loading it onto the vessel, and Destination THC (DTHC) charged at the port of discharge for unloading the container from the vessel and staging it for gate-out.

THC rates vary widely by port, equipment type (standard vs. hazardous vs. refrigerated), and terminal automation level.