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BAF

BAF, short for bunker adjustment factor, is a surcharge added to sea-freight charges to reflect changes in the cost of bunker fuel.

In plain English

It is an extra amount added to ocean freight charges. The charge is used to account for changes in the price of the fuel ships burn.

In context

In an ocean rate breakdown, BAF labels the surcharge that reflects changes in bunker fuel costs.

Situation
Coordinating freight quotes, booking, consolidation, handoff, and transport documents
What it communicates
labels a surcharge line in the ocean rate breakdown.

Meaning limits

By itself, the term does not state the amount of the surcharge or when it changes.

Examples

“After bunker fuel prices rose, the carrier increased the BAF on the sea-freight invoice.”

Core meaning

“In the ocean rate breakdown, the broker entered the fuel surcharge as BAF below the base freight.”

In context