For a 40-foot container, the headline PSS is normally two TEU, implying US$200 before any filing treatment or inclusion in ocean freight. The carrier also notes bunker, terminal, security, contingency and local charges may apply.
Although the notice targets Durban, it is relevant to Southern African distribution and a useful reminder that Africa routes can change between purchase order and loading. West African rates must still be checked separately.
Tea buyers should ask whether the PSS is already included in the freight quote and which loading date controls application. A base rate without the full charge sheet is not a landed-cost comparison.
- Confirm loading-date applicability
- Ask if PSS is included
- Request full origin and destination charges
- Refresh freight before final margin approval
Market statistics should guide questions, timing and risk controls; they should not be copied into a contract as though they were live quotations. Grade, moisture, packing, inspection, payment, freight, duty and local delivery must be normalised before comparing suppliers.
Before approval, the buyer should save the offered specification, reference sample, laboratory scope, packing configuration and freight validity in one comparison record. This turns a news signal into an auditable purchase decision and prevents later changes from being mistaken for the original offer.
For specification matching, samples, private-label packing and shipment planning, contact Sophie at jessie@hoututea.com or WhatsApp +86 18888798057.
