Glossary term
Back Freight
The cost of returning or onward-carrying goods the consignee will not or cannot accept at destination.
Freight incurred because goods could not be delivered as intended and had to be returned or carried elsewhere. It is normally recoverable from the party whose failure caused it.
Refused shipments, missing import permits and unpaid charges are the usual causes, which is why destination requirements are worth settling before goods move rather than after.