Terminal Handling Charge
Businesses now need not to pay to shipping agents, vessel operators
Star Business Report
Exporters and importers from May 20 will not need to pay terminal handling charge (THC) or less than container load (LCL) charge to shipping agents, mainline operators and freight forwarders in case of issued bill of lading (B/L). The charge will be included in freights for both export and import.The shipping agents and vessel operators will also not be able to take the charge in any forms. The decision came following a meeting between Chittagong Port Authority (CPA), Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), Chittagong Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI), private ICDs (inland container depots), shipping agents, mainline operators, clearing and forwarding agents, and freight forwarders in Chittagong yesterday, according to a BGMEA press release. The meeting also directed that the word 'prepaid/ collect' must be mentioned clearly in the B/L. The CPA will issue a circular in this regard. However, in case of already issued B/L for import, the previous rules will remain effective. Besides, the exporters will not need to pay labour charge and landing charge in the private ICDs. The private ICDs will take the charges from freight forwarders/shipping agents while the freight forwarders/shipping agents will include the charges in freights. Task Force-B Commander Brigadier General Hasan Nasir presided over the meeting. Former BGMEA president Annisul Huq led the team of the country's apex apparel trade body, while acting chairman of CPA Captain Yahia Syeed, among others, was present.
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