Oil remains a cost variable to watch as businesses prepare shipments for early October. A Reuters report published by Kontan on 28 September 2026 put Brent crude futures at USD 106.49 per barrel, up 2.1% at the time of reporting and nearly 18% since the start of the month. This is an intraday observation, not a closing price or a price fixed for the entire week. Reuters/Kontan report.
For logistics buyers, the practical question is which shipment quotations reflect the fuel movement, from what date, and through which charge.
Does higher crude oil immediately increase every freight quotation?
That conclusion cannot be drawn from crude prices alone. Brent is a crude-oil benchmark. Marine fuel, jet fuel and diesel used in inland transport have their own markets and pricing arrangements. Transport providers also use different commercial terms, surcharge calculation periods and effective dates.
For example, Maersk's published standard BAF appendix uses VLSFO marine fuel prices and a trade factor in its surcharge formula. This illustrates one carrier's contractual mechanism. It is not a universal tariff or evidence that the same appendix applies unchanged to your current agreement. Maersk BAF appendix.
For air transport, IATA describes its Jet Fuel Price Monitor as average refinery prices for aviation fuel during the reporting week. It is neither an air-freight quotation nor a surcharge for an individual air waybill. IATA Jet Fuel Price Monitor.
You therefore cannot apply Brent's percentage increase directly to your entire shipping budget.
Surcharge changes need to be read within their stated scope
Maersk's 15 September 2026 notice on emergency inland fuel/energy surcharges for the Nordic and Baltic region states that percentages will be updated weekly if they change. Official advisory.
This is an example of fuel costs being reflected in a particular service. It is not a China–Vietnam tariff and does not establish a surcharge percentage for Vietnamese import shipments.
Three quotation checks for this week
| Check | Question to ask | Record to keep |
|---|---|---|
| Freight and surcharges | Which fuel charges are included and which can change? | Itemised quotation and conditions |
| Validity | Does booking, cargo receipt or departure determine the charge? | Provider-confirmed effective milestone |
| Scope | Which ocean/air, inland and destination services are included? | Included and excluded items |
These are SeaAir Global's quotation-management suggestions. Confirm the actual scope for each service and shipment.
If the cargo is not ready, provide a realistic completion date when requesting a quotation. A cheaper price that expires before the cargo can be delivered is not sufficient grounds for approving a budget.
What should China–Vietnam importers confirm before booking?
Give each quotation provider the same shipment details: collection and delivery points, cargo type, package count, weight, dimensions or container type, cargo-ready date and required services. Request reconfirmation if any of these change.
For an active booking, keep the accepted quotation and every adjustment notice. If a new fuel charge appears, ask for its basis, effective date and unit, and whether it was already included in the previously confirmed price.
When handing over to the next contact, use our booking handover template to collect cargo status, document requirements and outstanding cost approvals.
SeaAir Global can discuss transport options for your specific shipment. Request a quotation with cargo details and the planned handover date to clarify costs before deciding.
Market information was observed on 28 September 2026. This article does not forecast oil prices or guarantee future freight rates.
