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Customs

DAP vs DDP vs DDU: who pays duty and delivery costs under each term?

DAP, DDP, and DDU all sit in the door-delivery group of Incoterms, and buyers still see all three on purchase orders despite one of them being retired over a decade ago. This guide explains exactly who pays duty, who clears customs, and why DDU quietly became DAP.

Holo Cargo Operations·Aug 23, 2026·6 min

Latest

56 articles
Rates & Markets

LCL vs Air Freight: Which Is Cheaper for Small Shipments?

For a shipment too small to fill a container, the default is usually LCL. But once you count CFS handling fees against a light, dense load, air freight can come out even or cheaper. Here is how to run the comparison properly before you book.

Holo Cargo Operations·Aug 21, 2026·7 min
Rates & Markets

Spot Rate vs Contract Rate for Ocean Freight: Which to Use?

Two shipments, two very different prices for the same lane — because one was booked spot and the other under contract. Here's how spot and contract ocean freight rates actually work, when each one saves you money, and how to decide which fits your shipping pattern.

Holo Cargo Operations·Aug 20, 2026·7 min
Air

What Is an AWB Fee? Why Every Air Freight Quote Includes One

Every air freight quote carries a small line item labeled "AWB fee" next to the bigger air freight rate and fuel surcharge numbers. Here's what it actually pays for, why it appears on every air shipment regardless of airline or route, and how to tell a normal AWB fee from one worth a second look.

Holo Cargo Operations·Aug 17, 2026·7 min
Ocean

How Many Free Days Do You Get Before Demurrage Charges Start?

Demurrage doesn't start on day one — every carrier grants a free-time window first. This guide explains the typical range, what shortens or extends it, how combined and split free time work, and how to confirm your exact allowance before the vessel arrives.

Holo Cargo Operations·Aug 16, 2026·7 min
Rates & Markets

What Is Rail Freight? When It Makes Sense for Inland Cargo

Rail freight moves cargo in bulk over long, fixed corridors — cheaper per tonne than road once volume is high enough, but slower to schedule and dependent on terminal handling at both ends. Here is what rail freight actually is, how a shipment moves through it, and when it is the right call for inland cargo.

Holo Cargo Operations·Aug 15, 2026·7 min
Rates & Markets

How LCL Freight Is Priced: CBM vs Weight, Whichever Is Greater

LCL freight isn't billed on cubic metres alone. Carriers compare your shipment's volume against its weight and charge whichever figure is greater, then add per-CBM CFS handling fees at both ends. This guide walks through the W/M formula, a worked example, and what else shows up on your invoice.

Holo Cargo Operations·Aug 14, 2026·6 min

From the desk

CustomsWhat is a CBF (customs brokerage fee), and what does it actually cover?Holo Cargo OperationsAug 136 minAirWhat Is SSC (Security Surcharge) on an Air Freight Quote?Holo Cargo OperationsAug 117 minOcean20ft vs 40ft container: which size actually fits your shipment?Holo Cargo OperationsAug 107 minOceanWhat is a BL fee, and why does every ocean quote include one?Holo Cargo OperationsAug 97 minRates & MarketsWhat Is FSC (Fuel Surcharge) in Air Freight, and Why It ChangesHolo Cargo OperationsAug 66 minRates & MarketsWhat information do you need to get an accurate freight quote?Holo Cargo OperationsAug 58 minRates & MarketsMultimodal Shipping Explained: When It Beats a Single ModeHolo Cargo OperationsAug 46 minCustomsFOB vs EXW: which Incoterm shifts more shipping risk to you?Holo Cargo OperationsAug 38 minOceanContainer Max Payload: What Happens When Cargo Exceeds the LimitHolo Cargo OperationsAug 27 minOceanStorage vs Demurrage: Two Charges Shippers Often ConfuseHolo Cargo OperationsJul 296 minRates & MarketsWhy Your Freight Quote Changed After Booking (And What Didn't)Holo Cargo OperationsJul 277 minOceanFreight Consolidation (Co-Loading): When It Saves MoneyHolo Cargo OperationsJul 266 minCustomsWhat Is DDP Shipping? Delivered Duty Paid ExplainedHolo Cargo OperationsJul 257 minAirHow to Track an Air Freight Shipment Without Chasing Your ForwarderHolo Cargo OperationsJul 247 minRates & MarketsRoad vs Rail Freight: Choosing the Right Inland Transport ModeHolo Cargo OperationsJul 238 minOceanWhat Is a CFS (Container Freight Station) and What It CostsHolo Cargo OperationsJul 227 minOceanWhat is project cargo? Breakbulk, oversized, and RoRo freight explainedHolo Cargo OperationsJul 218 minAirHow to Read an Air Freight Quote (Every Line Item Explained)Holo Cargo OperationsJul 207 minRates & MarketsAWB vs bill of lading: what's the difference and when each appliesHolo Cargo OperationsJul 197 minCustomsHow long does customs clearance actually take?Holo Cargo OperationsJul 187 minInside Holo CargoCargo Insurance: Do You Actually Need It for Your Shipment?Holo Cargo OperationsJul 176 minRates & MarketsHow to Compare Two Freight Quotes That Look Nothing AlikeHolo Cargo OperationsJul 167 minRates & MarketsDoor-to-Door vs Port-to-Port: Which Shipping Term Fits You?Holo Cargo OperationsJul 157 minCustomsCustoms bonds explained: what they are and when you need oneHolo Cargo OperationsJul 148 minRates & MarketsWhat Landed Cost Really Includes (And What Quotes Leave Out)Holo Cargo OperationsJul 137 minRates & MarketsGRI explained: what a general rate increase means for your budgetHolo Cargo OperationsJul 127 minOceanHow to Track an Ocean Shipment (Without Chasing Anyone)Holo Cargo OperationsJul 118 minOceanOpen Top vs Flat Rack Containers: Which Fits Your Oversized CargoHolo Cargo OperationsJul 107 minOceanVGM (Verified Gross Mass): What It Is and Why Carriers Require ItHolo Cargo OperationsJul 97 minRates & MarketsFreight Forwarder vs Booking Direct with the Carrier: Which WinsHolo Cargo OperationsJul 87 minCustomsHow to Find the Right HS Code for Your Imports: A Practical GuideHolo Cargo OperationsJul 77 minRates & MarketsFreight Invoice Line Items Explained (And How to Check Them)Holo Cargo OperationsJul 67 minOceanThe Bill of Lading, Explained: Types, and Why the Details MatterHolo Cargo OperationsJul 57 minRates & MarketsHow Long Should a Freight Quote Take? Timelines by ModeHolo Cargo OperationsJul 46 minRates & MarketsWhat Is THC (Terminal Handling Charge) and Who Pays It?Holo Cargo OperationsJul 37 minRates & MarketsRail vs Ocean on the China–Europe CorridorHolo Cargo OperationsJun 259 minOceanDangerous Goods Shipping: Classes, Documents & SurchargesHolo Cargo OperationsJun 247 minAirChargeable Weight in Air Freight, Explained with ExamplesHolo Cargo OperationsJun 237 minOceanHow to Ship Reefer Cargo: Temperature-Controlled Freight GuideHolo Cargo OperationsJun 228 minOceanRolled Cargo Explained: Why It Happens and How to Avoid ItHolo Cargo OperationsJun 218 minCustomsWhy Cargo Gets Held at Customs — and How to Prevent ItHolo Cargo OperationsJun 208 minCustomsISF (10+2) Filing: What US Ocean Importers Need to KnowHolo Cargo OperationsJun 198 minOceanWhat Actually Determines Your Ocean Freight Transit TimeHolo Cargo OperationsJun 188 minCustomsThe 5 Incoterms Mistakes That Cost Importers MoneyHolo Cargo OperationsJun 178 minRates & MarketsAir vs Ocean Freight: When Paying for Air Actually Pays OffHolo Cargo OperationsJun 168 minRates & MarketsPeak Season Surcharge (PSS): Why It Appears and How to PlanHolo Cargo OperationsJun 156 minRates & MarketsBAF, CAF and Bunker Surcharges on Ocean Freight ExplainedHolo Cargo OperationsJun 137 minOceanFCL vs LCL: The Real Cost Breakpoint and How to DecideHolo Cargo OperationsJun 127 minOceanDemurrage vs Detention: What They Are and How to Avoid ThemHolo Cargo OperationsJun 117 minRates & MarketsHow to Read an Ocean Freight Quote (Every Line Item Explained)Holo Cargo OperationsJun 118 min
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