Shipping Over Length Surcharge Standards at Major Global Ports: A Overview of Thresholds and Excess Rates by Country

In international maritime shipping, over-length cargo (typically referring to goods whose single-piece length exceeds the limits of standard containers or ship holds, such as large machinery, metal profiles, and bridge components) requires more cargo space, consumes additional loading and unloading resources, and poses higher stowage difficulties and transportation risks. As a result, shipping companies impose an additional “Over Length Surcharge (OLS)”. Due to differences in infrastructure, ship types, and logistics costs across ports in various countries, there are significant variations in the OLS thresholds (the minimum length standard for classifying cargo as “over-length”) and excess rates (the fee ratio or amount charged for exceeding the threshold). This article systematically sorts out the OLS rules of 20 core ports worldwide, categorized by four regions—Asia, Europe, the Americas, and Oceania—to provide a cost-calculation reference for enterprises transporting over-length cargo across borders.

I. Major Ports in Asia: Flexible Thresholds and Distinct Rate Gradients

As a global hub for manufacturing and trade, Asian ports have a high acceptance of over-length cargo. Their OLS thresholds are mostly linked to standard container sizes, with rates calculated in “segments based on excess length”. Some ports also adjust fees based on cargo weight.

(I) Chinese Ports: 12 Meters as the Core Threshold, Rates Increasing with Each Additional Meter

OLS rules at major Chinese ports (Shanghai, Shenzhen, Ningbo, Qingdao) are uniformly formulated by leading shipping companies such as COSCO Shipping and CMACGM, with minor adjustments at individual ports due to differences in terminal facilities:

• Threshold:
• Breakbulk cargo (non-containerized goods): Single shipment length exceeding 12 meters (some ports relax this to 15 meters for steel and pipes);
• Containerized cargo: For 40-foot high cube (HC) containers, if the cargo extends more than 1.5 meters beyond the container length (i.e., the actual cargo length ≥14.5 meters, as the standard length of a 40-foot container is 12.192 meters).
• Excess Rates:
• 12m < Length ≤15m: 10%-15% of the basic freight, or a fixed rate of USD 800-1,200 per shipment (whichever is higher);
• 15m < Length ≤20m: 20%-30% of the basic freight, or a fixed rate of USD 1,500-2,500 per shipment;
• Length >20m: A customized stowage plan is required. The rate is calculated as “40%-60% of the basic freight + special loading/unloading fees” (special loading/unloading fees, such as for heavy cranes, are approximately USD 3,000-5,000 per trip).
• Special Provisions:
• Shanghai Port: For cargo over 25 meters in length, an “Over-Length Cargo Transportation Application” must be submitted to the terminal 7 days in advance, accompanied by 3D drawings of the cargo and a weight distribution chart; otherwise, the application will be rejected;
• Yantian Port (Shenzhen): For over-length cargo exceeding 20 tons in weight (e.g., large machinery), an additional 10% “Over-Weight Surcharge” is added to the length-based rate, with both fees applied cumulatively.

Case Study: A shipment of bridge steel components exported from Ningbo Port to Rotterdam Port has a length of 18 meters and a basic freight of USD 5,000. According to Ningbo Port’s rules, since 15m < 18m ≤20m, the OLS is calculated as 25% of the basic freight: 5,000 × 25% = USD 1,250. The total freight is 5,000 + 1,250 = USD 6,250.

(II) Japanese Ports: 10 Meters as the Threshold, Differential Pricing by Cargo Type

OLS rules at Tokyo Port, Yokohama Port, and Osaka Port (Japan) are dominated by shipping companies such as Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK) and Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha (K Line). The threshold is lower than that of Chinese ports, and different rates apply to “industrial equipment” and “general construction materials”:

• Threshold:
• Industrial equipment (e.g., machine tools, generators): Length exceeding 10 meters;
• General construction materials (e.g., steel, timber): Length exceeding 12 meters.
• Excess Rates:
• Industrial equipment: 10m < Length ≤15m: Fixed rate of USD 1,000-1,800 per shipment; Length >15m: USD 300 added per additional meter (e.g., for 18-meter cargo, OLS = 1,800 + (18-15) × 300 = USD 2,700);
• General construction materials: 12m < Length ≤18m: Fixed rate of USD 800-1,500 per shipment; Length >18m: USD 200 added per additional meter.
• Special Provisions:
• Osaka Port: For cargo requiring loading/unloading during non-working hours (e.g., nights, holidays), an additional 50% “Overtime Service Fee” is charged, applied cumulatively with the OLS.

(III) Singapore Port: Threshold Aligned with International Standards, Rates Based on Cargo Space Occupancy

As a global transshipment hub, Singapore Port’s OLS rules are more in line with international standards. The threshold references container lengths, and rates are linked to cargo space occupancy:

• Threshold: Cargo length exceeding 12.2 meters (consistent with the standard length of a 40-foot container).
• Excess Rates:
• 12.2m < Length ≤15m: Occupies 1.2 standard cargo spaces; OLS = (1.2-1) × basic freight (i.e., 20% of the basic freight);
• 15m < Length ≤18m: Occupies 1.5 standard cargo spaces; OLS = (1.5-1) × basic freight (i.e., 50% of the basic freight);
• Length >18m: Occupies 2 or more standard cargo spaces. The number of cargo spaces is calculated by rounding up “cargo length ÷ 12.2 meters” (e.g., for 20-meter cargo, 20 ÷ 12.2 ≈1.64, rounded up to 2 cargo spaces; OLS = (2-1) × basic freight).
• Advantage: Transshipment cargo (e.g., from China to Singapore, then to Africa) is eligible for a 10% “Transshipment Discount”, meaning the OLS is charged at 90% of the standard rate.

II. Major Ports in Europe: Strict Thresholds, Rates with “Fixed + Variable” Components

European ports (e.g., Rotterdam, Hamburg, Antwerp) have stricter restrictions on over-length cargo due to their aging terminals and limited cargo space. Thresholds are generally lower than those in Asia, and rates include “fixed base fees + variable excess fees”. Some ports also require payment of a “Port Special Fee”.

(I) Port of Rotterdam (Netherlands): 8 Meters as the Threshold, Dual Charges of Fixed + Excess Fees

As Europe’s largest port, the OLS rules at the Port of Rotterdam are uniformly formulated by the European Liner Affairs Association (ELAA), with a clear fee structure:

• Threshold: Cargo length exceeding 8 meters (regardless of cargo type).
• Excess Rates:
• Fixed base fee: EUR 500 per shipment (applicable to all over-length cargo, covering terminal document review and stowage planning costs);
• Variable excess fee: 8m < Length ≤12m: 15% of the basic freight; 12m < Length ≤16m: 30% of the basic freight; Length >16m: 50% of the basic freight.
• Special Provisions:
• If the cargo requires the use of the terminal’s dedicated “over-length cargo loading/unloading platform”, an additional platform usage fee of EUR 800 per trip is charged, calculated independently of the OLS;
• For dangerous goods (e.g., over-length chemical equipment), the OLS is increased by 20% on top of the standard rate.

Case Study: A shipment of German automotive production line equipment imported through the Port of Rotterdam has a length of 14 meters and a basic freight of EUR 8,000. According to the rules, the fixed base fee is EUR 500, and the variable excess fee is 8,000 × 30% = EUR 2,400. The total OLS is 500 + 2,400 = EUR 2,900, and the total freight is 8,000 + 2,900 = EUR 10,900.

(II) Port of Hamburg (Germany): Thresholds Differ by Cargo Type, Rates Linked to Loading/Unloading Difficulty

The Port of Hamburg applies different thresholds to “breakbulk cargo” and “over-length containerized cargo”, with rates skewed toward cargo requiring “high-difficulty loading/unloading”:

• Threshold:
• Breakbulk cargo (e.g., large pipes): Length exceeding 10 meters;
• Containerized over-length cargo: Cargo extending more than 1 meter beyond the container length (e.g., for 40-foot containers, the cargo length ≥13.192 meters).
• Excess Rates:
• Breakbulk cargo: 10m < Length ≤15m: Fixed rate of EUR 1,200-2,000 per shipment; Length >15m: EUR 300 added per additional meter, plus a “loading/unloading coordination fee” of EUR 500 per shipment;
• Containerized over-length cargo: Calculated as “excess length × EUR 200 per meter” (e.g., for 2.5 meters of excess length, OLS = 2.5 × 200 = EUR 500). If the excess length exceeds 3 meters, an additional 10% of the basic freight is charged.
• Special Provisions:
• During winter (November-February), due to reduced loading/unloading efficiency caused by cold weather, the OLS is increased by 15% overall.

(III) Port of Antwerp (Belgium): Threshold Referencing “Ship Hold Width”, Rates with Environmental Surcharge

As a benchmark for green ports in Europe, the OLS at the Port of Antwerp includes an “Environmental Surcharge” to cover carbon emission management costs during over-length cargo transportation:

• Threshold: Cargo length exceeding 1.2 times the width of the ship’s standard hold (typically 8 meters, resulting in a threshold of 9.6 meters).
• Excess Rates:
• 9.6m < Length ≤12m: Base rate of EUR 1,500 per shipment + Environmental Surcharge of EUR 200 per shipment = EUR 1,700 per shipment;
• 12m < Length ≤15m: Base rate of EUR 2,500 per shipment + Environmental Surcharge of EUR 300 per shipment = EUR 2,800 per shipment;
• Length >15m: A separate “Green Transportation Agreement” must be signed. The rate is calculated as “40% of the basic freight + Environmental Surcharge of EUR 500 per shipment”.

III. Major Ports in the Americas: High Thresholds, Rates with “Terminal Monopoly Fees”

Ports in the Americas (e.g., Los Angeles, Long Beach in the U.S., Santos in Brazil) have concentrated terminal operators (mostly private terminal companies). Their OLS includes not only shipping company fees but also a “over-length cargo handling fee” charged by terminals, resulting in overall costs higher than those in Asia and Europe.

(I) Port of Los Angeles and Port of Long Beach (U.S.): 15 Meters as the Threshold, Dual Fees from Shipping Companies + Terminals

The OLS at the Port of Los Angeles and Port of Long Beach (core ports on the U.S. West Coast) consists of two parts: “shipping company base fees” and “terminal handling fees”. An additional fee is charged for “non-North American origin cargo”:

• Threshold: Cargo length exceeding 15 meters (regardless of cargo type, the highest threshold among major global ports).
• Excess Rates:
• Shipping company base fee: 15m < Length ≤20m: 25% of the basic freight; Length >20m: 40% of the basic freight (formulated by shipping companies such as Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd);
• Terminal handling fee: Fixed rate of USD 1,800-2,500 per shipment (charged by terminal operators, covering cargo space reservation and safety inspection costs for over-length cargo);
• Non-North American origin cargo: An additional 10% “Import Surcharge” is added to the above fees.
• Special Provisions:
• An “Over-Length Cargo Import Declaration” must be submitted to U.S. Customs 10 days in advance. For delayed declarations, a late fee of USD 500 per day is charged, and no OLS reduction or exemption is allowed;
• Port of Long Beach: For cargo over 25 meters in length, a “dedicated berth” must be rented at a cost of USD 3,000 per day (calculated based on berthing time, typically 1-2 days).

(II) Port of Santos (Brazil): Thresholds Differ by Peak/Off-Peak Seasons, Rates with Tariff Surcharge

As South America’s largest port, the OLS at the Port of Santos includes a “Tariff Surcharge” due to Brazilian customs policies, with thresholds adjusted based on peak and off-peak seasons:

• Threshold:
• Peak season (January-April, September-December, peak period for agricultural exports): Cargo length exceeding 12 meters;
• Off-peak season (May-August): Cargo length exceeding 15 meters.
• Excess Rates:
• Peak season: 12m < Length ≤18m: Calculated as “30% of the basic freight + Tariff Surcharge (0.5% of the cargo value)”; Length >18m: Calculated as “50% of the basic freight + Tariff Surcharge (1% of the cargo value)”;
• Off-peak season: 15m < Length ≤20m: Calculated as “20% of the basic freight + Tariff Surcharge (0.3% of the cargo value)”; Length >20m: Calculated as “40% of the basic freight + Tariff Surcharge (0.8% of the cargo value)”.
• Special Provisions:
• For cargo produced locally in Brazil (e.g., large agricultural machinery), an application for Tariff Surcharge reduction or exemption can be submitted, with a maximum exemption of 50%.

(III) Port of Vancouver (Canada): Threshold Aligned with U.S. Standards, Rates with “Cross-Border Coordination Fee”

As a hub connecting Asia to the U.S. West Coast, the Port of Vancouver’s OLS rules reference U.S. ports. Due to cross-border transportation between Canada and the U.S., a “Cross-Border Coordination Fee” is required:

• Threshold: Cargo length exceeding 15 meters.
• Excess Rates:
• 15m < Length ≤20m: Shipping company base fee (25% of the basic freight) + Terminal handling fee (USD 1,500 per shipment) + Cross-Border Coordination Fee (USD 300 per shipment);
• Length >20m: Shipping company base fee (40% of the basic freight) + Terminal handling fee (USD 2,500 per shipment) + Cross-Border Coordination Fee (USD 500 per shipment).
• Advantage: For over-length cargo transshipped from the Port of Vancouver to inland U.S. destinations, the “Import Surcharge” at U.S. ports is exempted, with only Canadian-side fees applied.

IV. Major Ports in Oceania: Low Thresholds, Rates Determined by “Length + Weight” Dual Criteria

Ports in Oceania (Sydney, Melbourne in Australia; Auckland in New Zealand) have limited capacity to accommodate over-length cargo due to their small scale and limited loading/unloading equipment. Thresholds are low, and OLS is determined by both “length” and “weight”, creating a “dual threshold” system.

(I) Port of Sydney (Australia): 8 Meters as the Threshold, Dual-Dimension Fees Based on Length + Weight

The OLS at the Port of Sydney is linked not only to length but also to cargo weight. For over-length cargo exceeding 20 tons, an “Over-Weight Surcharge” is added:

• Threshold:
• Length exceeding 8 meters, or weight exceeding 15 tons (OLS applies if either condition is met);
• For cargo exceeding both 8 meters in length and 15