Costs and charges
BAF (bunker adjustment factor)
A fuel surcharge added by shipping lines to the base ocean freight to reflect changes in the price of ship fuel.
In four languages
BAF, also called a bunker surcharge, lets carriers pass changes in fuel costs on to cargo owners without renegotiating the base freight. It is charged per container for FCL or per W/M for LCL, and carriers revise it at regular intervals, so the amount can change between quotation and sailing if the quote does not fix it. Some quotes are all-in and already include BAF, while others list it as a separate line. When comparing quotes, check whether BAF and other surcharges are included and until when they are valid. Example: a Muscat importer receives a quote for a 40HQ from Ningbo to Sohar valid until the end of the month. The shipment is delayed to the next month, so the forwarder re-confirms the freight and the updated BAF before booking.
Questions
Is BAF included in my ocean freight?
It depends on the quote. An all-in rate includes it; otherwise it appears as a separate surcharge line.
Can BAF change after I book?
If the quote does not fix it, the surcharge in force at the time of sailing or loading may apply. Ask how your quote treats surcharge changes.