Harbor Freight

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Tips & Advice to help you make your decision on Harbor Freight

Although computers, cell phones and other telecommunication devices have made it easier to communicate with the other side of the world, goods still must be transported the way they always have been; by land, sea or air. Harbor freight services assist companies worldwide with shipping and other logistical operations.

Quality harbor freight service providers are available around the country. These service providers assist in the shipping of goods from country to country and continent to continent. Freight shippers utilize a variety of different methods to facilitate goods getting from their point of origin to their destination. Some of these methods include airfreight and ocean freight as well as land transport by truck or train.

Harbor Freight Pricing and Costs

Computing harbor rates has got to be one of the most tedious and confusing tasks confronting shippers. To get a true picture of harbor freight pricing and costs, you must weigh many factors that make up the complete package when moving products through ports and harbors throughout the U.S. and internationally.

These charges can include everything from storage and warehousing to security. In order to to get a true picture of harbor freight pricing and costs, you must ask yourself the following questions:

1. Are there any additional fees for security?

2. How much with the port or harbor charge for warehousing or container storage?.

3. Are there any additional fees you should include when estimating how much it will cost to ship your cargo?

Get an estimate on harbor freight security fees

Many ports throught the U.S. and Mexico have instituted security fees for all cargo moving through or warehoused at their ports. These can range from 5% of the total calue of the cargo to $250 per day for a 40-TEU container.
Try: The American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) has published an overview of which ports in North America have instituted security fees. Chinese ports began charging a security fess in April 2006, according to the Hong Kong Trade Development Council. This is important because The ports of Hong Kong and those throughout mainland China handle tons of cargo bound for the U.S.

Consider harbor freight fees for warehousing and container storage

Most warehouse at ports and harbors are privately operated and are used to store bulk cargo destined for shipment from the port by rail or truck. Bulk cargo can include anything from coal to grain to liguids. Container storage fees are usually charged by the terminal operator and are based on weight. None of these companies post their rates online.
Try: Contact individual warehousing and storage companies, such as Federation Logistics, which operates storage facilities at Port Newark-Elizabeth in New Jersey. Check out the Maersk-Sealand terminals at the Port of Oakland, CA and call them for a quote on container storage.

Check for "hidden" harbor freight fees

All ports can charge tariffs and additional import/export fees for shipping cargo into and out of their facilities. All ports are required to publish a stetment of tariff fees, which often include pilot and dockage fees
Try: The Port of Long Beach charges from $294 to $2,154 per movement of cargo in pilot and docking fees, depending on the size of the vessel. The Port of Houston has issued several documents outlining changes in tarriffs for for terminals located at the port.