Legal Definitions - port toll

A port toll is a specific fee or charge levied by a port authority or government on goods that are brought into a port's jurisdiction. This charge is typically imposed on the cargo itself, rather than the vessel, and contributes to the maintenance, security, and operational costs of the port facilities.

Here are some examples to illustrate how a port toll applies:

• Imagine a large international shipping company, Global Freight Inc., transporting thousands of containers filled with consumer electronics from Asia to the Port of Los Angeles. Upon the arrival and unloading of these goods, the port authority assesses a specific fee for each container or per ton of cargo brought into the port. This fee, paid by Global Freight Inc. (or passed on to their clients), is a port toll, covering the use of the port's infrastructure for these imported electronics.

• Consider a steel manufacturing company, Midwest Metals Corp., that imports large quantities of iron ore from South America through a major port on the Gulf Coast. When the bulk carrier ship docks and begins to unload its raw material, the port charges Midwest Metals Corp. a fee based on the volume or weight of the iron ore being brought ashore. This charge, specifically for the privilege of introducing the ore into the port's commercial area, constitutes a port toll.

• A luxury car dealership, Prestige Autos, imports high-end vehicles from Europe into the Port of Baltimore. For each vehicle that is offloaded from the cargo ship and enters the port's customs area, the port authority imposes a fixed charge. This charge, applied to the imported cars as they enter the port's facilities, is a port toll, contributing to the upkeep of the docks and processing areas used for such specialized cargo.