Logistics · 6 min read
Port-to-Port Shipping Explained: What Is Included, What Is Not, and Who Pays
The narrowest freight quote there is — and the easiest to compare, once you know what sits outside it.
Quick answer
Port-to-port shipping is sea freight from the terminal at the loading port to the terminal at the discharge port. The rate covers ocean freight and carrier surcharges. It does not cover trucking to the port, export or import customs clearance, or delivery from the destination port — the shipper and consignee arrange those separately.
What does port to port mean?
The carrier takes responsibility for the container when it is gated into the terminal at the loading port and gives it up when the container is discharged at the destination terminal. The trade writes this as CY/CY: container yard to container yard.
What is included in a port-to-port rate?
- Ocean freight per container, or per cubic metre or tonne for LCL
- Carrier surcharges — fuel, currency and similar adjustments
- Loading at origin and discharge at destination
What is not included?
- Road transport from the shipper to the loading port
- Export customs clearance and shipping bill
- Terminal handling and documentation fees, when billed separately
- Import customs clearance, duties and taxes
- Delivery from the discharge port to the consignee
- Marine insurance
Who pays for the port-to-port leg?
The Incoterm decides. Under FOB the buyer books and pays the sea freight. Under CFR and CIF the seller pays freight to the destination port, adding insurance under CIF. Destination charges fall to the buyer in all three.
Frequently asked questions
Is port to port the same as CY/CY?
Yes. CY/CY means container yard to container yard — the carrier's responsibility runs between the two port terminals.
Does port-to-port include insurance?
No. Marine insurance is arranged separately, or by the seller under CIF terms.
