Primage

Primage is a historical term with two primary meanings related to maritime commerce and finance.

1. A Payment to the Ship's Captain: Primage referred to a small allowance or gratuity paid to the ship's captain or master by the shipper or consignee of goods. This payment was typically a percentage (often 5% or 10%) of the freight charges. It was considered the captain's perquisite, supplementing their regular salary. The purpose of primage was, in part, to incentivize the captain to take good care of the cargo during the voyage and to ensure its safe delivery. It also acted as a recognition of the captain's responsibilities and expertise. This practice has largely fallen out of use in modern shipping practices.

2. An Additional Duty on Goods: Historically, primage could also denote an additional duty or charge levied on goods imported or exported. This meaning is less common than the payment to the captain but can appear in older commercial documents. The specific purpose and recipients of this duty varied depending on the port and the prevailing commercial regulations. It was essentially another form of tariff or tax imposed on trade.

The term "primage" can also be encountered in historical legal and shipping documentation, and understanding its intended meaning requires careful consideration of the context.