Dubai Local Charges Explained (2024–2025): A Technical Guide for LCL & FCL Cargo at Jebel Ali Port

Introduction

Understanding local charges is essential for any importer, exporter, freight forwarder, or logistics professional operating in Dubai. These charges sit outside the ocean freight rate and cover activities related to port handling, documentation, storage, and cargo movement through Dubai terminals—primarily Jebel Ali Port, the largest container port in the Middle East. This guide consolidates verified tariff data from Freight Systems DWC, Smart Container Lines, and major global carriers operating in the UAE (CMA CGM, OOCL, APL). It is written for technical logistics users who require accurate, structured, and practical information.

What Are Dubai Local Charges?

Local charges encompass all origin and destination port costs that are outside the sea freight rate. These include:

**Core Charges:**

• Delivery Order (DO) Fees

• Terminal Handling Charges (THC)

• LCL Handling (per W/M)

• CFS warehouse charges

• Customs inspection & documentation fees

• BL-related administrative charges

**Time-Based Charges:**

• Storage charges

• Demurrage & detention

**Special Cargo Charges:**

• Hazardous (IMCO) surcharges

• Reefer plug-in & monitoring fees

**Charge Variation Factors:**

Charges vary by:

✔ Carrier

✔ Forwarder

✔ Cargo type (Dry, Reefer, IMCO, OOG)

✔ Container size (20', 40', 45')

✔ Port (Jebel Ali, Sharjah, Abu Dhabi)

Local Charges for LCL Imports (Dubai)

**Source:** Freight Systems DWC LLC – Standard LCL Import Tariff (Effective 1 May 2024)

**A. Standard LCL Import Charges**

Delivery Order: AED 550 per BL

Documentation Fee: AED 150 per shipment

Customs Bond Transfer: AED 30 per shipment

Liner Charges: AED 50 per shipment

LCL Handling: AED 145 per W/M

Port Handling: AED 30 per W/M (minimum AED 125)

IMCO THC: AED 590 per shipment

These form the baseline cost for any LCL import into Jebel Ali.

**B. LCL Warehouse Handling (Import)**

Minimum Charge: AED 350

1–7 W/M: AED 400

8–12 W/M: AED 500

13–15 W/M: AED 1,000

**C. LCL Storage Charges (General Cargo)**

**Free Time:** 5 Days

Days 6–10: AED 20 per W/M per day (min AED 300)

Days 11–15: AED 25 per W/M per day (min AED 300)

Days 16–20: AED 30 per W/M per day

Days 21–25: AED 35 per W/M per day

⚠️ If cargo is not collected within free time, storage is calculated from Day 1.

**D. LCL Storage for Hazardous / IMCO Cargo**

**Free Time:** 3 Days

Days 4–6: AED 30 per day per W/M

Days 7–10: AED 40 per day per W/M

Days 11–15: AED 50 per day per W/M

Days 16–20: AED 60 per day per W/M

Days 21+: AED 100 per day per W/M

Hazardous cargo incurs higher escalation due to additional safety requirements.

Local Charges for LCL Exports (Dubai)

**Source:** Freight Systems DWC LLC – Standard Export Tariff (May 2024)

Bill of Lading: AED 250 per BL

BL Amendment: AED 185 per BL

VGM/SOLAS: AED 40 per BL

AMS Filing: AED 110 per BL

BL Surrender: AED 250 per BL

IMCO THC: AED 785 per shipment

Local Charges for FCL Imports (Dubai)

**Source:** Freight Systems DWC LLC + Smart Container Lines (SCLL) Jebel Ali Tariff

**A. FCL Import Charges (Freight Systems DWC)**

Delivery Order: AED 550

THC 20': AED 700

THC 40': AED 1,100

LOLO (Lift On/Lift Off): AED 314

Inspection: AED 170

Switch BL: AED 552

IMCO THC: AED 575

**B. Jebel Ali Port THC (Smart Container Lines Tariff)**

**Dry Cargo – Import**

20': AED 790

40': AED 1,185

**Hazardous Cargo – Import**

20': AED 1,230

40': AED 1,845

**Administrative Charges**

Documentation Fee: AED 200

Seal Fee: AED 75

NOC: AED 150

DO Amendment: AED 575

Maintenance/Monitoring: AED 200

Imbalance Fee: AED 200

**C. Detention & Demurrage (Import)**

**Dry Cargo – 20'**

• Days 1–4: Free

• Days 5–10: AED 300/day

• Days 11–15: AED 400/day

• Days 16+: AED 800/day

**Dry Cargo – 40'**

• Days 1–4: Free

• Days 5–10: AED 600/day

• Days 11–15: AED 800/day

• Days 16+: AED 1,600/day

**Reefer & OOG**

Can reach AED 2,400/day depending on size and type.

Local Charges for FCL Exports (Dubai)

**Source:** Freight Systems DWC LLC – Export Tariff

**20' Container:**

Bill of Lading: AED 540

BL Amendment: AED 550

VGM/SOLAS: AED 65

THC (Dry): AED 1,014

Switch BL: AED 550

BL Surrender: AED 250

IMCO THC: AED 350

**40' Container:**

Bill of Lading: AED 540

BL Amendment: AED 550

VGM/SOLAS: AED 65

THC (Dry): AED 1,414

Switch BL: AED 550

BL Surrender: AED 250

IMCO THC: AED 550

Carrier-Specific Local Surcharges (OOCL / CMA CGM / APL)

**Source:** Multi-carrier advisories provided (2024–2025)

**Inbound Charges**

• DO Fee: AED 355

• Amendment Fee: AED 300

• Outport BL: AED 350

• CFS Shift: AED 240/20', AED 300/40'

• Status Change: AED 300

**Outbound Charges**

• BL Fee: AED 350

• Amendment Fee: USD 30

• Load List Late Submission: AED 75

• Grounding Fee: AED 135

• Terminal Drayage: AED 170–270

**Reefer Charges**

• Plug-in: AED 150/day

• Monitoring: As per carrier

**Hazardous & OOG**

• Special Equipment Surcharge: USD 100–200

• Additional THC

• IMDG violation fines apply as per port

Storage, Free Time & Port Rules (DP World Jebel Ali)

**General Free Time**

LCL Import: 5 days

LCL IMCO: 3 days

FCL Dry: 4 days

Reefer: 3 days

OOG / Special Cargo: 3 days

**Free time is influenced by:**

• Carrier service contracts

• Free zone vs mainland handling

• Terminal type

Practical Cost Example: Importing 4 W/M LCL Cargo to Dubai

**Scenario:**

4 W/M, general cargo, collected 2 days after free time.

**Cost Breakdown**

DO Fee: AED 550 (flat)

Documentation: AED 150 (flat)

LCL Handling: AED 580 (4 × 145)

Port Handling: AED 125 (minimum applies)

Warehouse Handling: AED 400 (1–7 W/M range)

Storage: AED 300 (minimum applies)

**Total Estimated: AED 2,105**

(Excludes customs duties & VAT where applicable.)

Key Observations & Professional Insights

**Critical Findings:**

✔ DO fees typically range AED 350–575, depending on carrier.

✔ THC at Jebel Ali is standardized but varies by cargo type and container size.

✔ LCL importers pay per W/M, making pallet optimization critical.

✔ Hazardous & reefer cargo incur significantly higher charges.

✔ Storage, demurrage, and detention can exceed freight cost if cargo is delayed.

✔ Carriers and forwarders apply different administrative fees, even for the same service.

**Cost Optimization Tips:**

• Plan cargo collection within free time to avoid storage

• Optimize pallet dimensions for LCL to minimize W/M

• Compare carrier-specific surcharges before booking

• For FCL, return containers promptly to avoid detention

• Consider free zone warehousing for longer storage needs

References & Data Sources

Although some documents are internal and cannot be publicly linked, the following are the verified sources used for this guide:

**Primary Tariff Sources:**

1. **Freight Systems DWC LLC** – Local Standard Tariff

Effective 1 May 2024 (LCL & FCL Import/Export)

2. **Smart Container Lines (SCLL)** – UAE Local Tariffs

Import & Export THC, DO, D&D slabs, administrative fees

3. **Carrier Tariff Extracts** (OOCL, CMA CGM, APL)

Inbound/outbound surcharges, BL fees, terminal charges, 2024–2025

**Publicly Available Industry References:**

4. DP World Jebel Ali – Free Time & Port Tariff Guidelines

5. SOLAS / VGM Global Requirements – UAE Enforcement Guidelines

6. Dubai Customs Cargo Handling & Free Zone Operations Guidelines

**Important Note:**

All rates quoted are based on verified tariff documents current as of November 2024. Rates may change. Always verify with your carrier or forwarder for the most current pricing.

**For Accurate Quotes:**

Contact licensed freight forwarders or carriers directly for binding quotations specific to your shipment requirements.