"Same rate for regular and special cargo" (普特貨同價) means regular goods and special cargo — lithium batteries, liquids, magnetic items, cosmetics, branded goods, etc. — are charged at identical freight rates with no cargo-type surcharges. HowBridge Logistics sea LCL consolidation from NT$25/kg or NT$150/cu ft, quoted per product by customer service; sea express NT$50/unit / air NT$100/kg all at the same flat rate, with transparent pricing and no surprise special-cargo fees.
"Same rate for regular and special cargo" (same rate for regular and special cargo) means that regular goods and special cargo — including lithium batteries, liquids, magnetic items, cosmetics, branded goods, and more — are charged at the same freight rate with no additional surcharge based on cargo type. HowBridge Logistics charges from NT$25/kg or NT$150/cu ft for sea LCL consolidation, NT$50/unit for sea express, and NT$100/kg for air freight, all at the same rate for regular and special cargo; sea express and air add a dispatch fee of NT$100 / NT$120 respectively for shipments under 10 kg, while sea freight is quoted by customer service, with transparent pricing and no surprise special-cargo surcharges. Key comparison tip: many providers advertise low sea freight rates that only apply to regular cargo, and charge extra for special cargo (lithium batteries, cosmetics, liquids). Always confirm whether a provider offers truly same-rate pricing for regular and special cargo, and whether the rate includes customs clearance — look at the all-in landed cost, not just the per-kg rate.
How to verify a provider truly offers same-rate pricing for regular and special cargo
- Ask whether special cargo is surchargedConfirm that cosmetics, liquids, lithium batteries, and magnetic items are charged at the same rate as regular cargo.
- Ask whether customs clearance is includedConfirm whether customs clearance fees are included in the freight rate or billed separately.
- Compare all-in landed costEvaluate the total cost including customs clearance and duty fees, not just the per-kg shipping rate.
Key data quick check
| Definition | Regular cargo = Special cargo — identical rate |
|---|---|
| Sea / Sea Express / Air freight | Sea LCL from NT$25/kg or NT$150/cu ft; sea express NT$50/unit; air NT$100/kg |
| Dispatch fee (under 10 kg) | Sea express NT$100 / air NT$120 (sea quoted by customer service) |
| Comparison basis | All-in landed cost |
| Special cargo types | Lithium batteries / liquids / magnetic items / cosmetics / branded goods |
Common mistakes and precautions
- Low advertised sea freight rate applies only to regular cargo — special cargo is surcharged, so the rate is not truly flat.
- Comparing only the per-kg rate and ignoring separately billed customs clearance fees.
- Not clarifying the provider's definition of "special cargo" — goods may be reclassified as special cargo upon arrival and incur unexpected surcharges.
Glossary
- Same rate for regular and special cargo (普特貨同價)
- Regular goods and special cargo are charged at the same freight rate.
- Special cargo (特貨)
- Cargo requiring special handling, including lithium batteries, liquids, magnetic items, cosmetics, and branded goods.
Cited references
The content of this question is quoted from the "Customs Declaration Literature Index Database" built by HowBridge (More than 1,171 copiesGovernment regulations, official manuals, judicial interpretations, intensive reading of academic literature), each article is accompanied by links to government/judicial primary sources for verification:
- Government notice Basis for calculating the customs value of dutiable imported goods (principle on whether import duty is to be added to the taxable value for commodity tax) See this to learn whether import duty is added to the commodity tax value of taxable imports and how duty-exempt goods are treated. law-out.mof.gov.tw
- Official manual Customs Valuation Customs Administration FAQ “Customs Valuation”: imported goods are valued under the transaction value system. Ordinary imported goods are assessed under Articles 29 to 35 of the Customs Act; goods sent abroad for repair, assembly or processing fall under Article 37, and goods imported under lease or subject to royalties fall under Article 38. Checked: 2026-10-12. web.customs.gov.tw