Pre carriage haulage CMA-PCH

Pre-carriage haulage, abbreviated as CMA-PCH, refers to the transportation service provided before the main international shipping leg. This fee is levied for the inland movement of cargo from the shipper's premises or a designated inland location to the port of loading. The primary rationale behind the imposition of this fee is to cover the costs associated with the initial leg of the journey, ensuring that the goods reach the port in a timely and efficient manner, ready for subsequent overseas transportation.

This fee is typically charged by the carrier or a third-party logistics provider responsible for organizing and executing the inland transport. The payment is usually made by the shipper or the party who has contracted the carrier's services. Pre-carriage haulage is especially applicable in scenarios where the shipping contract, often a "door-to-port" agreement, requires the carrier to manage the entire logistics process from the origin point up to the port of departure.

The calculation of pre-carriage haulage fees can vary depending on factors such as distance, mode of transport (e.g., truck, rail), and any special requirements like oversized or hazardous cargo handling. It is essential to distinguish this fee from on-carriage haulage, which covers the transport from the port of arrival to the final destination, as both fees are often independently calculated and serve different segments of the logistics chain.

In practice, stakeholders must pay attention to the terms outlined in the shipping contract to avoid any misinterpretations or unexpected costs. Clear communication with the logistics provider about the scope of services included under CMA-PCH is crucial to ensure smooth and cost-effective transportation operations.