Understanding the DHC fee and how this charge affects shipping quotations can help businesses better control costs and plan their imports more effectively.
When a container from China arrives at a port in Vietnam, businesses do not only pay ocean freight. There are also various charges related to container handling at the destination port. The DHC fee is one of these charges and is usually listed separately in the shipping line’s quotation or cost breakdown.
DHC stands for Destination Handling Charge, which refers to the fee for handling containers at the destination. The DHC fee is normally charged per container, and the amount may vary depending on the trade route, container type, and individual shipping line’s policy.
For example, in its latest update for the China to Vietnam route, Maersk announced a new DHC fee effective from October 1, 2026. The fee is applied separately to 20-foot containers, 40-foot containers, reefer containers, and certain special container types.
The DHC fee is not the same as ocean freight. Sea freight is the cost of transporting goods by sea between the port of origin and the destination port, while the DHC fee is related to container handling activities at the destination.
Therefore, when businesses receive a quotation for shipping goods from China to Vietnam, they should review the ocean freight rate and surcharges separately. An adjustment to one surcharge does not necessarily mean that the basic ocean freight rate has also increased.
The DHC fee is charged at the destination according to the shipping line’s applicable tariff for the relevant route and container type. How the fee is determined may also depend on the shipping line’s terms and the effective date of the applicable rate.
For example, in Maersk’s notice for the China to Vietnam route, the new DHC fee takes effect on October 1, 2026, with different charges depending on the container type. For both non-spot and spot bookings, the shipping line also specifies different rules for determining when the new fee applies.
The DHC fee is a separate component of the overall shipping cost. Therefore, when a shipping line adjusts this charge, the total amount paid by a business for each container may increase even if the basic ocean freight rate remains unchanged.
Shipping lines may periodically review and adjust their tariffs based on individual trade routes, market conditions, and container types. Therefore, businesses should not assume that the same DHC fee applies to every route or at all times.
A specific example is Maersk’s announcement of a DHC fee adjustment for cargo shipped from China to Vietnam, effective October 1, 2026. Under the new tariff, the DHC fee is VND 3,250,000 per 20-foot dry container and VND 5,000,000 per 40-foot dry container.
Port operation and container handling costs are among the factors that can affect a shipping line’s overall fee structure. When costs related to port operations and handling change, shipping lines may review the charges applied to individual trade routes.
This can also be seen in Maersk’s adjustments to OHC and DHC fees in certain markets, where increased port-related and operational costs are cited as factors behind changes to container handling charges.
When the DHC fee increases, businesses should look at the total cost of each shipment rather than focusing only on the ocean freight rate.
If the DHC fee increases, the amount payable for each container will also increase according to the applicable tariff. The actual impact depends on the container type, number of containers, and other charges included in the shipment.
For example, if a business imports a large number of containers from China to Vietnam, an increase in the DHC fee per container can significantly increase the total cost of the shipment. Therefore, businesses with high-volume imports should pay particular attention to changes in surcharges.
Sea freight costs are not always fixed over a long period. Shipping lines may update freight rates and surcharges depending on the trade route, timing, or specific terms of application.
Therefore, businesses should check the validity period of a quotation before finalizing an import plan. Relying only on an old quotation may result in an inaccurate budget if the booking or shipping schedule changes.
When shipping costs change, businesses should not simply choose the logistics provider offering the lowest ocean freight rate. More importantly, they should determine the actual total shipping cost, the quotation’s validity period, and any surcharges that may apply.
Businesses should check the ocean freight rate, DHC fee, and other applicable surcharges before confirming a booking. For shipments that require a longer preparation period, it is particularly important to determine which charges will apply when the shipment is actually processed.
Monitoring announcements from shipping lines can also help businesses identify tariff changes early. For the China to Vietnam route, for example, Maersk announced the new DHC fee before its effective date of October 1, 2026.
A shipping quotation should clearly show the ocean freight rate and relevant surcharges instead of providing only one total amount. This allows businesses to compare different shipping options and avoid misunderstandings about the actual costs involved.
Businesses should pay particular attention to the container type, shipping route, port of origin, destination port, and quotation validity period. These details can directly affect the charges applied to each shipment.
For businesses that frequently import goods from China, working with a logistics provider that monitors freight rates and surcharges can make the planning process easier. A freight forwarder can help check applicable charges, update businesses on changes from shipping lines, and recommend suitable solutions for each shipment.
Instead of focusing only on the initial freight rate, businesses should evaluate the total cost and the level of support provided throughout the shipping process. This is an important basis for controlling the logistics budget and minimizing unexpected expenses.
When ocean freight rates and surcharges such as the DHC fee are adjusted, businesses need timely updates to calculate the cost of each shipment accurately. VDM Forwarder supports businesses by monitoring freight rates and surcharges for different routes, checking charges included in shipping quotations, and recommending suitable shipping solutions for goods imported from China to Vietnam.
With experience in handling international shipments by sea, VDM Forwarder helps businesses stay updated on changes from shipping lines, clarify applicable charges, and review costs before confirming a booking. Understanding the total shipping cost from the beginning allows businesses to manage their budgets more effectively, minimize unexpected expenses, and develop a suitable import plan.
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