Definitions #
A shipping term meaning that the freight charges for a consignment have already been paid by the shipper before the carrier moves the goods.
Technical A notation on a transport document confirming that the carrier’s freight charges were settled by the shipper in advance, making the consignee liable only for other charges.
Example Under a CFR sale, the seller must provide a bill of lading marked “freight prepaid” to match the Incoterms.
A clause in trade contracts that indicates the seller has already paid the ocean or air freight before loading.
Technical A transport document clause that may be required by a letter of credit; the absence of the freight prepaid notation can be treated as a discrepancy.
Example The bank rejected the B/L because it said freight collect, not freight prepaid as required.
Etymology #
From freight (charges for transport) + prepaid (paid in advance).
Collocations #
- freight prepaid B/L 注明“运费预付”的提单，卖方已支付运费
- freight prepaid and collect 运费预付或到付，作为提单上的支付条款
- marked freight prepaid 在单证上批注运费已付
Real Business Examples #
- Under a CFR sale, the seller must provide a bill of lading marked “freight prepaid” to match the Incoterms.
- The bank refused the documents because the B/L was marked “freight collect” instead of “freight prepaid” as required by the letter of credit.
Register & Variants #
- Register: formal
- BrE/AmE: 全球通用，尤其用于信用证和提单条款
Synonyms & Antonyms #
- Synonyms: prepaid freight, freight paid, charges paid
- Antonyms: Freight Collect
Common Errors #
- 使用 freight prepaid B/L 但实际运费未付 如签发 prepaid 但未付款，承运人可向签发方追偿；应确保付款后再在单证上批注。
- 将 freight prepaid 与“运费由收货人承担”混淆 freight prepaid 只表示已支付给承运人，商业上运费最终由谁承担依合同条款确定。
Confusable Terms #
- Freight Collect vs Freight Prepaid
- 表示运费到付，由收货人支付；而 freight prepaid 表示运费已由托运人预付。
Frequently Asked Questions
Freight prepaid 和 prepaid freight 一样吗？?
在指运费预付时基本同义；prepaid freight 更强调运费本身，freight prepaid 是单证批注用语。
信用证要求 freight prepaid，但提单只写了 “freight as arranged” 算不算符合？?
通常不算；应按信用证或 UCP 要求明确批注 freight prepaid。
Published: 2026-09-22 Category: Freight