What is a terminal access charge?
Short answer
A Terminal Access Charge is a fixed landside charge imposed by a container stevedore for a truck or rail operator’s access to terminal services; it is separate from the Vehicle Booking System fee and from ancillary or incentive charges.
Plain English
The TAC and VBS fee are distinct charges, although both form part of a stevedore’s landside charging schedule. The charge first falls on the transport operator under the terminal’s commercial terms and may be passed through to the freight customer under the transport contract.
What this means operationally
Quote the TAC and VBS fee separately, identify the terminal and effective date, attach the published schedule or contractual basis, state any administration margin transparently and keep evidence for customer reconciliation. Never describe a pass-through as automatic if the customer contract does not authorise it.
Who it applies to
Container transport operators, importers, exporters, freight forwarders, customs brokers, depots and customers using Australian container-terminal landside services.
Example
A carrier invoice lists line-haul, the terminal’s TAC, the separate VBS fee and any carrier administration charge as distinct items so the customer can reconcile them to the terminal schedule and contract.
Exceptions and traps
TACs are set under commercial terminal arrangements and remain subject to applicable competition, consumer and contract law. The ACCC monitors the sector and reports on prices, costs and profits, but it does not set or regulate stevedoring prices.
What changed
The ACCC’s 2024-25 monitoring report found landside charges were 49.5% of stevedoring revenue, or $1.15 billion, including more than $642 million from TACs. The NTC is updating the voluntary landside-charges guidelines, with final guidelines expected to go to transport ministers in Q3 2026.
Previous rule
The NTC released national voluntary guidelines in 2022. The current review is considering broader coverage, including empty-container parks, and a single 1 January date for price changes.
Legal foundation
Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cth), including Part VIIA monitoring arrangements; applicable terminal terms and transport contracts
Sources & primary documents
- www.accc.gov.au/media-release/record-high-stevedoring-prices-despite-significant-spare-capacity-in-ports
- www.accc.gov.au/by-industry/rail-shipping-and-ports/container-stevedoring-monitoring
- www.accc.gov.au/about-us/publications/serial-publications/container-stevedoring-monitoring-reports
- www.ntc.gov.au/project/updating-national-voluntary-guidelines-landside-stevedore-charges
WWTG verification: ACCC, NTC
Frequently asked questions
Is a TAC the same as a VBS fee?
No. They are separate fixed landside charges in a stevedore’s charging schedule.
Does the ACCC set TAC prices?
No. The ACCC monitors and reports on the sector but does not regulate stevedoring prices.
Can a carrier pass the TAC to a customer?
Often, but the entitlement and method depend on the transport contract and the carrier should disclose it clearly.
How large are landside charges?
The ACCC reported $1.15 billion in landside charges in 2024-25, including more than $642 million from TACs.
Are the national guidelines mandatory?
No. They are voluntary guidelines; applicable law and contracts still govern.