CargoSurge is an all-in-one logistics ERP platform for freight forwarders, road transport companies, 3PL warehouses, and customs brokers. It includes finance, compliance, fleet management, and AI-powered operations.

Which countries does CargoSurge support?

CargoSurge is built for GCC and South Asia markets — UAE, Saudi Arabia, India, Sri Lanka, Oman, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Qatar. It supports UAE Corporate Tax (9%), VAT (5%), and regional compliance requirements.

Does CargoSurge support multi-currency?

Yes. CargoSurge supports multi-currency invoicing, payments, and FX rate management with automatic conversion to your base currency for reporting.

Is there a free trial?

Yes. CargoSurge offers a 7-day free trial with full access to all features. No credit card required.

What compliance features are included?

CargoSurge includes UAE Corporate Tax (9% CT), VAT return generation (FTA boxes 1-12), IFRS 15/16/9 accounting standards, AML/KYC screening, sanctions screening (OFAC/EU/UN), UBO registry, and enhanced due diligence workflows.

Creating a quotation — sea freight

Sea freight is the most common mode for container cargo. This article covers the sea-specific fields, the FCL vs LCL distinction, and the charges that almost always trip up first-time users.

Overview

Sea quotations use mode=sea with one of two load types:

FCL — Full Container Load. You own an entire container (20', 40', 40HC, etc.). Charges are "per container".
LCL — Less-than-Container Load. Your cargo shares a container with other shippers'. Charges are "per weight-or-measure" (W/M), whichever is greater of the CBM or MT.

Route is defined by Port of Loading (POL) → Port of Discharge (POD), both from the master-data port catalog (UN/LOCODE). Adding an inland origin or destination makes it a combined transport quote (door-to-door), and the underlying booking issues an HBL instead of a port-to-port MBL.

FCL-specific fields

Container plan — count and type (e.g. 2 × 40HC, 1 × 20GP + 1 × 40RF). Each line counts.
VGM (Verified Gross Mass) — SOLAS VI/2 requirement. Collect it at quote time so the booking is compliant.
Reefer fields — if any container is 40'RF or 20'RF: required temperature (°C), vent setting, plug-in time.
Commodity per container — DG, food, pharma — set the right flag so downstream regulatory checks fire.

LCL-specific fields

Total weight + volume — CargoSurge computes W/M automatically (usually CBM × 1000 kg per m³, but some NVOCCs use 1.5:1 or 2:1 ratios — check with the carrier).
Package count & dimensions — helps estimate consol efficiency.
Consolidator's warehouse cutoff — the ETD at the destination CFS, not the vessel's ETD.

Typical charges (sea FCL)

Code	Description	Basis	Notes
`OF`	Ocean Freight	per container	The base rate. Negotiated with the carrier.
`BAF`	Bunker Adjustment Factor	per container	Fuel surcharge; changes monthly.
`CAF`	Currency Adjustment Factor	% of OF	Only on some trade lanes.
`THC-O`	Terminal Handling Charge — Origin	per container	Port-side handling at POL.
`THC-D`	Terminal Handling Charge — Destination	per container	Port-side at POD. Often passed through net from the carrier.
`DOC`	Documentation Fee	per BL	Flat per bill.
`ISPS`	Security surcharge	per container	Post-9/11 carrier security fee.
`GRI`	General Rate Increase	per container	Seasonal; carrier-initiated. Apply to quotes validly in the affected window.

Typical charges (sea LCL)

Code	Description	Basis
`OF-LCL`	Ocean Freight LCL	per W/M
`BAF`	BAF	per W/M
`CFS-O` / `CFS-D`	CFS fees origin & destination	per W/M
`DOC`	Documentation	per BL

Step-by-step — quoting a sea FCL

In Forwarding → Quotations → + Create. Pick Customer.
Direction: Export / Import / Cross-trade / Transit. Mode: Sea. Load Type: FCL.
Route: Origin Country + Port; Destination Country + Port. Optionally add Place of Receipt / Place of Delivery for door-to-door.
Cargo: add one line per container type (e.g. 2 × 40HC, commodity General Cargo, weight 22000 kg each).
Charges: OF, BAF, THC-O, THC-D, DOC — at minimum. Enter both sell and buy. Margin is live in the footer.
Commercial Terms: pick standard clauses (Subject to space; Free time 7 days at destination; etc.). Tailor free time to the carrier's offering.
Valid Until — 14 days is typical for FCL; shorter on volatile trade lanes.
Save & Send.

Common pitfalls

Converting to booking

See Converting a quote to booking. For sea, the booking inherits the POL/POD, container plan, and VGM. You'll add the vessel name, voyage number, and carrier booking reference as soon as they're confirmed.