A specific cost is one that is incurred in the production or delivery of a single product. By contrast, a joint cost is a cost incurred in the production or delivery of a single product or product lines. For instance, in civil aviation, substantial costs of a flight (pilots, fuel, wear and tear on the plane, landing and takeoff fees) are a joint cost between carrying passengers and carrying freight, and underlie economies of scope across passenger and freight services. By contrast, some costs are specific to the services, for instance, meals and flight attendants are specific costs of carrying passengers.
Specific cost is an economics term. In accounting, the same concept is called direct cost.
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