Important Notice: Instructions on Single Package Size/Weight Limits and Oversize Surcharges for Air and Sea Freight to Various Countries

Dear Partners:

With the continuous improvement of the global logistics network, the size and weight limits of single packages have become key factors affecting transportation efficiency, costs, and cargo safety. In recent years, incidents such as logistics delays (e.g., port detention, flight rejection), surcharge surges (oversize surcharges accounting for up to 50% of total freight costs), and cargo damage caused by oversize single packages have occurred frequently, resulting in unnecessary losses to your business.

To help you accurately control logistics costs and avoid compliance risks, this notice systematically organizes the single package size/weight limit standards for air and sea freight in major global trading countries/regions, clarifies the calculation rules and collection methods of oversize surcharges, and provides compliance declaration and cost optimization suggestions. We urge all partners to attach great importance to single package limit requirements, make advance cargo packaging plans, and ensure smooth and efficient logistics processes.

I. General Provisions: Core Definitions and Industry Benchmarks for Single Package Size/Weight Limits

Before interpreting the specific limits of various countries, it is necessary to first clarify the core concept of single package limits—a single package refers to an “independent packaging unit” (e.g., carton, pallet, container). Its size/weight limits are determined by the carrier’s aircraft/ship type, port/airport infrastructure, and national transportation regulations. There are universal industry benchmarks, but countries may adjust them based on their own conditions.

1. Universal Industry Benchmarks for Single Package Limits (2024 Latest Version)

2. Oversize Determination Principles

• Size Oversize: Any side (length, width, height) of a single package exceeds the universal benchmark for the corresponding transportation mode, or its volume (L×W×H) exceeds the carrier’s limit (e.g., air freight single package volume > 0.12 m³);
• Weight Oversize: The actual weight of a single package exceeds the universal benchmark, or its weight density (weight/volume) exceeds the limit (e.g., sea freight single package weight density > 1 ton/m³, classified as “heavy cargo oversize”);
• Special Oversize: Some countries additionally classify “irregular single packages” (e.g., non-rectangular packaging, packages with protruding parts) as oversize even if their size/weight does not exceed limits (e.g., Japan requires additional review for single packages with metal brackets).

II. Air Freight Chapter: Single Package Size/Weight Limits and Oversize Surcharge Rules by Country

The core constraints for air freight single package limits are “cargo hold size compatibility” and “handling equipment capacity.” Due to differences in airport infrastructure, limit standards and oversize surcharges vary significantly across countries. Key explanations by region are as follows:

1. North America (United States, Canada)

(1) United States (Los Angeles LAX, New York JFK Airports)

• Single Package Limit Standards:
• Standard cargo aircraft (e.g., American Airlines AA): Single package ≤3m×2.4m×1.8m, weight ≤100kg;
• Wide-body cargo aircraft (e.g., FedEx FX): Single package ≤6m×3m×2.5m, weight ≤500kg;
• Special Requirements: For single packages with length > 4m, an “Oversize Cargo Transportation Application” must be submitted to the airport 48 hours in advance, specifying the cargo’s center of gravity (deviation ≤5cm).
• Oversize Surcharge Rules:
• Mild Oversize (size: 3-4m / weight: 100-200kg): 20% of base freight, minimum $200 per package;
• Moderate Oversize (size: 4-6m / weight: 200-500kg): 40% of base freight + $300 per package for special handling;
• Severe Oversize (size > 6m / weight > 500kg): Priced as “chartered cargo,” minimum \(12,000 per cabin (not calculated per package). Airport-specific handling equipment must be rented (additional cost: approximately \)500 per hour).
• Case: A single package with dimensions 4.5m×2.5m×2m (weight: 300kg) shipped by air from Los Angeles to Chicago. Base freight: \(1,500. Oversize surcharge = \)1,500×40% + \(300 = \)900. Total freight: $2,400.

(2) Canada (Toronto YYZ, Vancouver YVR Airports)

• Single Package Limit Standards: 5%-10% more flexible than the U.S. Wide-body cargo aircraft allow single package weight up to 550kg, but length is still limited to ≤6m;
• Oversize Surcharge Rules: 15% lower than the U.S., but an additional “cross-border oversize review fee” applies (C$150 per oversize package entering Canada from the U.S.);
• Seasonal Adjustment: During winter (December-February), snow at airports increases oversize cargo handling difficulty, leading to a temporary 25% surcharge increase (e.g., mild oversize surcharge rises from C\(180 to C\)225 per package).

2. Europe (Germany, United Kingdom, France)

(1) Germany (Frankfurt FRA, Munich MUC Airports)

• Single Package Limit Standards (compliant with EU Regulation EC 1592/2002 on Air Cargo Transportation):
• Standard cargo aircraft: Single package ≤2.8m×2.2m×1.6m, weight ≤80kg;
• Wide-body cargo aircraft: Single package ≤5.5m×2.8m×2.3m, weight ≤450kg;
• Special Requirements: Single packages with volume > 0.1 m³ must be marked as “bulky cargo.” Weight density < 0.3 tons/m³ is classified as “ultra-light oversize” and requires additional securing.
• Oversize Surcharge Rules:
• Size Oversize: Fixed €280 per package (independent of base freight), plus €70 for every additional 0.5m;
• Weight Oversize: €140 per package for 80-150kg, €280 per package for 150-450kg, €560 per package for >450kg;
• Dual Oversize (both size and weight exceed limits): Surcharges are 叠加 (e.g., €280 for size oversize + €280 for weight oversize = €560 per package).

(2) United Kingdom (London Heathrow LHR Airport, Post-Brexit Special Rules)

• Single Package Limit Standards: Wide-body cargo aircraft single package length ≤5m (stricter than within the EU), weight ≤400kg;
• Oversize Surcharge Rules: An additional “customs oversize registration fee” (£85 per package) on top of EU standards. Oversize cargo must undergo separate security checks (fee: £50 per package);
• Delay Risk: Oversize packages not declared 72 hours in advance will be detained by the airport, with a daily detention fee of £200 per package.

3. Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, Australia)

(1) China (Shanghai Pudong PVG, Guangzhou Baiyun CAN Airports)

• Single Package Limit Standards:
• Domestic Air Freight (e.g., Air China CA): Single package ≤3m×2.4m×1.8m, weight ≤100kg;
• International Air Freight (e.g., China Eastern Airlines MU): Wide-body cargo aircraft single package ≤6m×3m×2.5m, weight ≤500kg;
• Special Exemption: For oversize single packages of “emergency medical equipment” (e.g., ventilators), weight limits can be temporarily relaxed to 600kg with a hospital certificate.
• Oversize Surcharge Rules:
• Mild Oversize: 15% of base freight, minimum ¥150 per package;
• Moderate Oversize: 30% of base freight + ¥200 per package for handling;
• Severe Oversize: Charged as “special transportation service fee,” ranging from ¥5,000 to ¥20,000 per package (depending on cargo complexity).

(2) Japan (Tokyo Narita NRT, Osaka Kansai KIX Airports)

• Single Package Limit Standards: Due to narrow airport cargo door widths (standard width: 1.8m), single package width ≤1.8m (0.6m narrower than international standards), length ≤4.5m, weight ≤300kg;
• Oversize Surcharge Rules:
• Width > 1.8m but ≤2.2m: ¥3,000 per package;
• Length > 4.5m but ≤5m: ¥5,000 per package;
• Weight > 300kg but ≤400kg: ¥8,000 per package;
• Note: Oversize packages require “disassembly/assembly positions,” with an additional ¥12,000 per use (including cargo disassembly and repackaging).

III. Sea Freight Chapter: Single Package Size/Weight Limits and Oversize Surcharge Rules by Country

Sea freight single package limits are mainly affected by “container standards,” “port lifting capacity,” and “terminal load-bearing,” and are divided into two scenarios: “container transportation” and “bulk cargo transportation.” Key rules for major trading countries are as follows:

1. East Asia (China, South Korea, Japan)

(1) China (Shanghai Port, Shenzhen Yantian Port)

• Container Single Package Limit Standards (compliant with ISO 6346 standards):
• 20ft Dry Container: Gross weight ≤21.8 tons (container weight ≈2.3 tons, cargo weight ≤19.5 tons), internal dimensions ≤5.9m×2.35m×2.39m;
• 40ft Dry Container: Gross weight ≤26.5 tons (container weight ≈3.8 tons, cargo weight ≤22.7 tons), internal dimensions ≤12.03m×2.35m×2.39m;
• Flat Rack/Open-Top Containers: Single package weight ≤40 tons, length ≤18m (oversize requires “long berth” application).
• Oversize Surcharge Rules:
• Weight Oversize (20ft >21.8 tons / 40ft >26.5 tons): ¥200 per ton, minimum ¥500 per container;
• Size Oversize (exceeding internal container dimensions): ¥800 per 20ft container, ¥1,200 per 40ft container;
• Bulk Cargo Oversize (single package >50 tons): “Heavy Lift Fee” of ¥5,000 per package. Port floating cranes must be reserved 10 days in advance.

(2) South Korea (Busan Port)

• Single Package Limit Standards: Basically consistent with China, but 40ft container gross weight can be relaxed to 27 tons;
• Oversize Surcharge Rules: 10% lower than China, but an additional “special storage fee” of $300 per package applies to “dangerous goods oversize containers” (e.g., chemical raw materials), which require separate storage in dangerous goods yards.

2. Europe (Rotterdam, Netherlands; Antwerp, Belgium)

(1) Rotterdam Port, Netherlands (Europe’s Largest Port)

• Container Single Package Limit Standards:
• 20ft Container: Gross weight ≤24 tons (2.2 tons higher than international standards), dimensions consistent with international standards;
• 40ft Container: Gross weight ≤28 tons, length ≤12.2m (minor overlength acceptable);
• Special Requirements: Single packages with weight density >1.5 tons/m³ must be marked with “heavy cargo warning,” otherwise loading/unloading will be refused.
• Oversize Surcharge Rules:
• Weight Oversize (20ft >24 tons / 40ft >28 tons): €30 per ton, minimum €150 per container;
• Size Oversize (length 12.2-13m): €200 per container, €500 per container for length >13m;
• Bulk Cargo Oversize (single package >60 tons): Floating crane rental fee of €800 per hour (average handling time: 2 hours, total €1,600).

3. North America (Los Angeles Port, Long Beach Port, United States)

• Single Package Limit Standards:
• 20ft Container: Gross weight ≤22 tons (including container weight), dimensions ≤5.9m×2.35m×2.39m;
• 40ft Container: Gross weight ≤26 tons, length ≤12.1m;
• Special Ban: Single packages with width >2.4m are prohibited from U.S. inland transportation (must be unpacked at ports and transferred via narrow-body trucks).
• Oversize Surcharge Rules:
• Weight Oversize: \(40 per ton, minimum \)200 per container;
• Size Oversize (length 12.1-12.5m): $300 per container, containers with length >12.5m are prohibited from entering the port;
• Terminal Surcharge: Oversize containers require “special handling areas,” with an additional $500 per container (including terminal scheduling fees).

IV. Compliance Declaration and Cost Optimization Suggestions for Oversize Cargo

To help partners reduce oversize surcharge costs and avoid compliance risks, the following practical suggestions are provided:

1. Compliance Declaration Key Points

• Accurate Information: When declaring single package size/weight, include “actual dimensions after packaging” (not naked cargo dimensions) with an error ≤1cm/1kg. This avoids fines for declaration discrepancies (e.g., U.S. Customs imposes a $1,000 per container fine for oversize containers with declaration errors exceeding 5%);
• Advance Application: Submit applications for oversize single packages to carriers/airports/ports 48-72 hours in advance, attaching cargo photos (with size scales marked) and center-of-gravity test reports (issued by third-party institutions);
• Complete Documentation: International transportation of oversize single packages requires an additional “Oversize Cargo Transportation Guarantee” (committing to compliance with destination country limit standards), otherwise detention at the destination port may occur.

2. Cost Optimization Tips

• Cargo Disassembly: Disassemble disassemblable oversize cargo (e.g., large machinery) into multiple standard single packages (e.g., a 6m-long device split into three 2m single packages) to avoid oversize surcharges (e.g., one enterprise reduced single-transport costs by 40% after disassembly);
• Transport Mode Combination: Prioritize “sea + land transport” combinations for oversize cargo (e.g., oversize equipment from China to Europe shipped by sea to Rotterdam Port, then transferred via European inland low-bed trucks). This saves over 60% of