Foreign-trade Glossary + Calculators
Charges
Document Fee
A fixed administrative fee the carrier or forwarder charges for issuing the bill of lading and related shipping documents, usually billed per shipment.
A Document Fee (often DOC fee) is the administrative charge a carrier or forwarder collects for preparing and issuing shipping documents, primarily the bill of lading (B/L), and sometimes manifest or release-order processing.
- How it is charged: usually a fixed amount per shipment/per B/L regardless of cargo volume, at a rate published by the carrier or forwarder.
- Scope: the fee only covers issuance of transport documents; it does not cover trade documents such as certificates of origin, invoice legalization or embassy attestation, which are billed separately.
- Watch-out: the document fee is part of local charges and is often stripped out of a cheap ocean-freight quote, so include it alongside THC and other port charges when costing; correcting a B/L typically incurs a separate amendment fee.
FAQ
- Is the document fee the same as fees for certificates of origin or inspection?
- No. The document fee only covers the carrier issuing transport documents (mainly the B/L). Certificates of origin, invoice certification, inspection and customs documentation are separate trade-document costs charged by the relevant authority or agent.
- If I find an error after the B/L is issued, does amending it cost extra?
- Usually yes, a separate amendment fee applies, and if the manifest is filed or the vessel has sailed, the change may also involve customs correction procedures. Proof-read the draft B/L word by word, shipper/consignee, description, marks, before confirming.
Sources: https://www.maersk.com/local-information · https://www.cma-cgm.com/