Airline Terminal Fee

What is an airline terminal fee?

An airline terminal fee is charged for all air shipments as a fee for handling the cargo.

If applicable, an airline terminal fee will often appear as both an origin charge and a destination charge on your Flexport quote or invoice. However, depending on the airline, it may be included in the airfreight fee, rather than listed as a separate origin charge.

What does the terminal fee cover?

Airlines and their ground handlers charge the fee to receive, store, and move cargo through the terminal. That work usually includes unloading the truck, building or breaking down pallets, and holding freight until the flight departs or the consignee collects it.

How does it differ from the airfreight rate?

The airfreight rate pays for the flight itself and is usually priced by chargeable weight. The terminal fee pays for ground handling at the airport. Compare quotes line by line, since some airlines fold the fee into the airfreight rate and others bill it separately.

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