Geo. S. Bush & Co. News Bulletin

Steamship Chassis Rental Charges

Steamship lines are currently assessing rental fees for the use of chassis to move Export/Import containers. There are inconsistencies in billing procedures and targeted markets among the carriers. Most carriers started imposing the surcharges on January 1, 2001 with non-contract shippers. Contract shippers will not see like charges until May 1, 2001. The surcharge amounts are:

East Bound – Import Loads - $60 per container used chassis.

West Bound – Export Loads - $40 per container used chassis.

This charge will be assessed on a per container basis. It will appear on the Ocean Bill of Lading as a separate line item. We are hearing that in the future, this charge may be included in the tariff/contract rates with the new GRI’s. When and if this surcharge does get lumped in, it will be difficult to tell whether or not you are paying this surcharge.

With Import containers, the steamship lines are listing the surcharge on the OBL at time of booking. The line will not release the container in the U. S. ports until all freight charges (including the chassis rental charge) are paid. The lines are not monitoring and imposing this charge at terminal gates because of the backup they would experience waiting for a trucker, broker, or customer to guarantee payment.

With Export containers, the Terminal Interchange Receipt is used to indicate whether a line chassis was used or a trucker chassis was used. If the chassis rental fee is billed to us, we will invoice you for that charge.

If a carrier chassis is billed to you but not used in the move, you can get a refund. The Terminal Interchange Receipt is obtained from the trucker and faxed to the lines for reimbursement.

GSB can instruct through the Delivery Order process “chassis to be provided by trucker” or “chassis will be provided by the steamship”. With overweight containers, lines will usually not have the appropriate equipment. Where applicable, super chassis price and chassis usage will come from the trucker only and not the line. We will need your help with instruction of your shipping requirements with respect to the chassis to be used. On import containers please have your shipper/supplier instruct the line at time of booking whether or not the chassis fee applies.

If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact your GSB representative at 503-228-6501. We’d be glad to help!