Freight invoices confuse first-time shippers because they mix carrier pass-throughs with forwarder service lines. Knowing the difference prevents false disputes and missed budgeting.

Typical Line Items You Will See

Base ocean or air freight
Peak season surcharge (PSS), general rate increase (GRI), bunker / fuel-related factors where applicable
Origin or destination THC / terminal handling
Documentation / bill of lading fee
VGM, seal, CFS stuffing (if applicable)
Inland haulage
Agency / forwarding service fee

Names vary by carrier and contract. Ask for a legend on your first shipment with a new forwarder.

Pass-Through vs Service

Pass-through: Charged by the line or terminal and billed onward (sometimes with a handling margin disclosed in your agreement).

Service: Forwarder work — coordination, consol build, milestone handling, local agency.

Disputing a valid carrier PSS as if it were a hidden forwarder markup wastes time. Disputing an unexplained fee with no tariff reference is reasonable.

Match Invoice to Quote Scope

Your dispute leverage is the written quote:

Same Incoterm assumptions?
Same container size / chargeable weight?
Validity date still current?
Surcharges marked “as per carrier at time of shipment”?

Peak-season carrier notices can change after quote date. Good quotes state validity and surcharge policy.

Red Flags

No booking reference tying invoice to shipment
Charges appearing for services not performed (e.g. stuffing you did yourself)
Currency unclear
Demurrage bundled without free-day calculation

MTX Invoicing Stance

We aim for line items that map to the quote and to carrier/terminal evidence. If something looks wrong, send the booking number and the disputed line — we will explain pass-through vs service or correct an error.

Read the invoice the same week as the shipment, not the month you close accounts. Corrections are easier while carrier portals still show the same events.