Home / Glossary / Container Imbalance Charges

Glossary Term

Container Imbalance Charges

Container Imbalance Charges Definition:

Container imbalance charges occur when there is a shortage or imbalance in containers due to a surplus of cargo to be transported, but inadequate containers attract additional charges.

Since containers are mainly used to move cargo to other countries or ports when the exports don't match imports, the system may experience container imbalance. The container demand in one location exceeds supply, while the supply exceeds demand in another. This problem is one of the significant challenges in the logistics industry, attracting container imbalance charges (CIC). These costs can lead to substantial monetary loss to your company. Understanding such global trade dynamics can help you plan better.

Crane putting container on a trailer.

Explore Other Container Transport Industry Terms

ACEP (Approved Continuous Examination Program)  Aggregate Shipment API (Application Programming Interface) Backhaul BAF (Bunker Adjustment Factor) Beneficial Cargo Owner BIC (Bureau International des Containers) Bill of Lading BPD (Barrels Per Day) Cabotage Cabotage Containers Carrier Carrier Owned Container (COC) CBM Chassis Check Digit Clear Height Combo Chassis Compound Annual Growth Rate (CARG) Consignee Consignor Container Freight Station Container Imbalance Container Imbalance Charges Container Inspector Container Logistics Container Terminal Container Yard Cross Docking CSC Plate CW Certificate Damage Protection Plan (DPP) Damage Replacement Value (DRV) Delivery Order Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) Electronic Logging Device (ELD) Equipment Interchange Receipt Fifth Wheel Flat Rack Container Flatbed