- Surcharge range: $300-$600 per FEU, effective dates clustered between August 1 and August 15
- This compares to no PSS in effect for the majority of June and early July sailings
- At least two carrier advisories specify the surcharge applies to both dry and reefer equipment
- Industry trade reporting indicates additional carriers are expected to follow with matching announcements within the next week
| Surcharge Band | Per FEU | Effective Window |
|---|---|---|
| Low | $300 | August 1-7 departures |
| Mid | $450 | August 1-15 departures |
| High | $600 | August 8-15 departures |
Carrier advisories combined with industry trade reporting on booking patterns suggest the surcharge timing aligns with the front-loaded import volume already visible at West Coast terminals. Cross-referencing the surcharge effective dates against current terminal yard density figures indicates carriers are responding to demand signals that have been building since late June.
Why are peak season surcharges being implemented now?
Carrier advisories cite capacity constraints tied to forecast peak-season demand as the primary justification. Industry trade reporting on booking volumes shows space requests for August sailings running ahead of the same period last year, which historically has preceded PSS announcements by two to three weeks.
Will the surcharges apply to bookings already confirmed?
Carrier advisories vary on this point: some specify the surcharge applies only to bookings made after the announcement date, while at least one advisory applies it to all August loadings regardless of booking date. Shippers should check the specific advisory language for their carrier and trade lane.
How does this compare to last year's peak season surcharge levels?
Industry trade reporting indicates the confirmed $300-$600 per FEU range is broadly in line with last year's August PSS levels, though the effective dates this year are roughly one week earlier than the prior year's first announcements.
What Shippers Should Do
- Confirm with your carrier whether the surcharge applies retroactively to already-confirmed August bookings.
- Where lane flexibility exists, consider shifting non-urgent August shipments to late July departures to avoid the surcharge window.
- Build the $300-$600 per FEU range into landed-cost forecasts for August arrivals now, rather than waiting for invoicing.
- Monitor for matching announcements from other carriers on your trade lane over the next one to two weeks, as rate parity typically follows quickly.