由 lltx1822 Ocean Shipping Over-Length Fee Thresholds and Rate Reference Table for Various Destination Countries (10-Country Example)
I. Table Usage Instructions and Core Definitions
(I) Definition of Key Terms
- Collection Threshold: Refers to the minimum cargo length that triggers the Ocean Shipping Over-Length Fee (OLS), including the “general threshold” (applicable to ordinary breakbulk cargo) and “container threshold” (applicable to 20/40-foot standard containerized cargo). Some countries impose additional weight thresholds (e.g., Australia).
- Basic Rate: The core fee standard set based on cargo length ranges, divided into two categories: “proportional rate” (calculated as a percentage of basic freight) and “fixed + excess rate” (basic fixed fee + per-meter fee for the part exceeding the threshold).
- Additional Surcharges: Include seasonal surcharges, environmental fees, dangerous goods premiums, and other extra expenses. In 2025, key focus should be on newly added items such as the EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) environmental fee (€10/ton) and U.S. special fees ($50/net ton).
- Data Timeliness: All rates in the table are the latest standards updated after March 2025. The basic freight already includes the benchmark after FAK (Freight All Kinds) rate increases (up to $6,900 per 40-foot container) by carriers like Maersk and CMA CGM on Far East-Europe/North America routes.
(II) Usage Scenario Tips
- Suitable for foreign trade enterprise quotation calculation (embedding logistics costs in advance), freight forwarder solution design (comparing cost differences across destination countries), and supply chain cost optimization (adjusting packaging or routes targetedly).
- The “Pitfall Avoidance Tips” column in the table requires special attention, as it can directly help avoid 10%-30% of extra expenses (e.g., splitting techniques for cargo lengths close to the threshold).
II. Ocean Shipping Over-Length Fee Thresholds and Rate Reference Table for 10 Countries
| Destination Country | Cargo Type | Collection Threshold (Length) | Basic Rate (by Length Range) | Additional Surcharges | Pitfall Avoidance Tips | Data Source |
| China | Ordinary Breakbulk Cargo | 12m | 12m＜L≤15m: 10%-15% of basic freight or \(800-\)1,200/shipment (whichever is higher); 15m＜L≤20m: 20%-30% of basic freight or \(1,500-\)2,500/shipment (whichever is higher); L＞20m: 40%-60% of basic freight + \(3,000-\)5,000 for special loading/unloading fees | 10% Heavy Lift Additional (HLA) for cargo over 20 tons; 30% premium for dangerous goods; no seasonal surcharges | Cargo of 12.1m can be split into 11.9m to be exempted; 400-ton crane fee is only charged when L＞20m | Unified standards of China’s four major foreign trade ports (Shanghai/Shenzhen/Ningbo/Qingdao) |
| China | Containerized Cargo | 6m (per container) | Same rate as ordinary breakbulk cargo, calculated by per-container length | Same as ordinary breakbulk cargo | For multi-container consolidated cargo, control per-container length within 5.9m | Ibid. |
| Japan | Ordinary Breakbulk Cargo – Construction Materials | 12m | 12m＜L≤18m: \(800-\)1,500/shipment + \(200/meter (for the part exceeding 12m); L＞18m: \)1,500-\(2,000/shipment + \)300/meter (for the part exceeding 18m) | 15% winter surcharge from Dec-Feb; Bunker Adjustment Factor (BAF) accounts for 20% of basic freight | Shipment in Jan-Feb can be delayed until March to save \(200-\)300 per shipment | Official announcements of Tokyo Port and Osaka Port |
| Japan | Ordinary Breakbulk Cargo – Equipment | 10m | 10m＜L≤15m: \(1,200-\)1,800/shipment + \(250/meter (for the part exceeding 10m); 15m＜L≤20m: \)1,800/shipment + $300/meter (for the part exceeding 15m) | Same as above | Prioritize transporting industrial equipment from Mar-Nov to avoid winter surcharges | Ibid. |
| Japan | Containerized Cargo | 6m (per container) | 10m＜L≤15m: 15%-20% of basic freight; L＞15m: 25%-30% of basic freight | Same as above | None | Ibid. |
| Singapore | Ordinary Breakbulk Cargo | 12.2m (based on 40-foot container) | 12.2m＜L≤15m: 20% of basic freight (occupies 1.2 cargo spaces); 15m＜L≤18m: 40% of basic freight (occupies 1.4 cargo spaces); L＞18m: Basic freight × (ceiling(L÷12.2) – 1) | 10% discount for transshipment cargo; no seasonal/environmental surcharges | Prioritize transshipping cargo from Asia to Europe via Singapore Port to save 5%-8% | 2025 New Rules of Singapore Port Authority (PSA) |
| Singapore | Containerized Cargo | 12.2m (40-foot container) | Same cargo space-based rate as ordinary breakbulk cargo | Same as above | Control the length of 40-foot containers within 12.1m to be exempted | Ibid. |
| Germany | Ordinary Breakbulk Cargo – General Cargo | 10m | 10m＜L≤15m: €1,800-€2,000/shipment + €500 coordination fee; 15m＜L≤20m: €2,000-€2,500/shipment + €600 coordination fee | CBAM environmental fee of €10/ton; low-sulfur fuel fee of €50/TEU; 15% winter surcharge from Nov-Feb | Split 10.2m cargo into two 9m shipments to save €500 coordination fee | Announcement of Hamburg Port Cargo Community (HVCC) |
| Germany | Containerized Cargo – Oversized Containers | 13.192m (max length of 40-foot container) | Within 3m over-length: €200/meter + 10% of basic freight; Over 3m over-length: €300/meter + 15% of basic freight | Same as above | Prioritize shipping oversized containers from May-Oct to avoid winter surcharges | Ibid. |
| Netherlands | Ordinary Breakbulk Cargo | 8m (lowest threshold in Europe) | 8m＜L≤12m: €500 fixed fee + 15% of basic freight; 12m＜L≤16m: €500 fixed fee + 30% of basic freight; L＞16m: €500 fixed fee + 50% of basic freight + €800 dedicated platform fee | CBAM environmental fee of €10/ton; 20% premium for dangerous goods | Compress 16.1m cargo into 15.9m to save €800 dedicated platform fee | 2025 Rate Sheet on Rotterdam Port Official Website |
| Netherlands | Containerized Cargo | 6m (per container) | Same rate as ordinary breakbulk cargo, calculated by matching the length range of each container | Same as above | None | Ibid. |
| United States | Ordinary Breakbulk Cargo – West Coast (LA/LB Ports) | 15m | 12m＜L≤15m: \(1,800-\)2,200/shipment (terminal fee only); 15m＜L≤20m: 25% of basic freight + \(2,200-\)2,500 terminal fee; L＞20m: 30% of basic freight + \(2,500-\)3,000 terminal fee + $1,000 equipment fee | 10% import surcharge for non-North American cargo; $50/net ton special fee for cargo carried by Chinese carriers from Oct | For cargo to inland U.S., choose transshipment via Vancouver Port to be exempt from 10% import surcharge | 2025 New Rules of U.S. Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) |
| United States | Ordinary Breakbulk Cargo – East Coast (New York Port) | 12m | 12m＜L≤15m: 25% of basic freight + \(2,000-\)2,300 terminal fee; 15m＜L≤20m: 30% of basic freight + \(2,300-\)2,600 terminal fee | $1,000/TEU emergency operation fee; other surcharges same as West Coast | Submit declaration 10 days in advance to avoid $500/day delay fine | Ibid. |
| United States | Containerized Cargo | 6m (per container) | Same rate as ordinary breakbulk cargo of the corresponding coast | Same as above | None | Ibid. |
| Brazil | Ordinary Breakbulk Cargo – Peak Season (Jan-Apr/Sep-Dec) | 12m | 12m＜L≤18m: 30% of basic freight + 0.5% tariff surcharge based on cargo value; 18m＜L≤20m: 35% of basic freight + 0.8% tariff surcharge based on cargo value | No environmental fees; no seasonal surcharges (peak season reflected in threshold) | 50% reduction in tariff surcharge for Brazilian-manufactured equipment; prioritize purchasing local goods | Annual Rate Announcement of Santos Port Authority |
| Brazil | Ordinary Breakbulk Cargo – Off-Peak Season (May-Aug) | 15m | 15m＜L≤18m: 25% of basic freight + 0.3% tariff surcharge based on cargo value; 18m＜L≤20m: 30% of basic freight + 0.5% tariff surcharge based on cargo value | Same as above | Arrange shipment of 14m cargo in off-peak season to be exempt from OLS | Ibid. |
| Canada | Ordinary Breakbulk Cargo | 15m | 15m＜L≤20m: 25% of basic freight + \(1,500 terminal fee + \)300 cross-border coordination fee; L＞20m: 30% of basic freight + \(2,000 terminal fee + \)300 coordination fee + $2,000 equipment fee | Cargo transshipped to inland U.S. is exempt from 10% U.S. import surcharge; no other additional surcharges | For cargo to Chicago/Detroit, prioritize transshipment via Vancouver Port to save 15%-20% | 2025 Edition of Vancouver Port Freight Handbook |
| Canada | Containerized Cargo | 6m (per container) | Same rate as ordinary breakbulk cargo | Same as above | None | Ibid. |
| Australia | Ordinary Breakbulk Cargo – Single Excess (Length/Weight Only) | 8m in length or 15 tons in weight | 8m＜L≤15m: AUD 800/shipment + AUD 200/meter (for the part exceeding 8m); 15 tons＜W≤20 tons: AUD 800/shipment + AUD 50/ton (for the part exceeding 15 tons) | AUD 200/transaction safety assessment fee (submit 5 days in advance); no environmental fees | Reduce the weight of 15.5-ton cargo to 14.9 tons to be exempt from weight threshold fee | Latest Report of Sydney Port Logistics Association |
| Australia | Ordinary Breakbulk Cargo – Dual Excess (Length + Weight) | 8m in length and 15 tons in weight | 8m＜L≤15m & 15 tons＜W≤20 tons: AUD 1,200/shipment + AUD 200/meter + AUD 50/ton; L＞15m or W＞20 tons: AUD 1,500/shipment + AUD 300/meter + AUD 80/ton | Same as above | Prioritize splitting cargo to avoid dual-excess stacked rates | Ibid. |
| New Zealand | Ordinary Breakbulk Cargo – North Island (Auckland Port) | 10m | 10m＜L≤15m: NZD 1,000-NZD 1,500/shipment + NZD 300 inter-island transshipment fee; 15m＜L≤20m: NZD 2,000-NZD 3,000/shipment + NZD 500 equipment fee | No environmental fees; no seasonal surcharges | Split 20.1m cargo into 19.9m to save NZD 10,000/day dedicated vessel fee | Rate Announcement on Auckland Port Official Website |
| New Zealand | Ordinary Breakbulk Cargo – South Island (Christchurch Port) | 12m | 12m＜L≤15m: NZD 1,200-NZD 1,800/shipment + NZD 400 inter-island transshipment fee; 15m＜L≤20m: NZD 2,200-NZD 3,200/shipment + NZD 600 equipment fee | Same as above | Prioritize transshipping South Island cargo via Auckland Port to lower the threshold | Ibid. |
III. In-Depth Interpretation of Table Data and Practical Cases
(I) Comparative Analysis of Regional Characteristics
- Asia: Moderate Thresholds, Obvious Cargo-Type Differentiation
China and Japan set differentiated thresholds by cargo type (12m for construction materials vs. 10m for equipment). Singapore adopts cargo space occupancy-based pricing (adapting to transshipment needs) with few additional surcharges (only winter surcharge in Japan). It is suitable for regular breakbulk cargo transportation with high cost controllability.
- Europe: Low Thresholds + Environmental Surcharge Stacking, Highest Costs
Germany and the Netherlands have low thresholds of 8-10m, and mandatory stacked surcharges such as CBAM environmental fee (€10/ton) and low-sulfur fuel fee. The per-shipment cost is 30%-50% higher than in Asia, making it suitable for high-value precision equipment transportation (environmental costs need to be calculated in advance).
- Americas: East-West Coast Differentiation, Significant Policy Impact
The U.S. has a 3m threshold difference between the East and West Coasts (12m vs. 15m) and imposes special fees on Chinese carriers. Canada, relying on transshipment advantages (exempt from U.S. import surcharge), has become a “cost depression,” suitable for cargo transshipped to inland U.S. via Canada.
- Oceania: Dual Thresholds, High Compliance Costs
Australia imposes combined length and weight thresholds, while New Zealand sets thresholds separately for the North and South Islands. A safety assessment report (AUD 200/transaction) must be submitted in advance, making it suitable for planned bulk cargo transportation (avoiding temporary adjustments).
(II) Practical Calculation Cases for Typical Scenarios
Case 1: Exporting 18m, 25-Ton Engineering Equipment from China to Hamburg Port, Germany (Basic Freight: €8,000)
- Table Matching: Germany’s breakbulk cargo threshold is 10m; 18m falls into the “15m＜L≤20m” range, with a basic rate of €2,000-€2,500/shipment + €600 coordination fee.
- Additional Surcharges: CBAM environmental fee (25 tons × €10 = €250) + low-sulfur fuel fee (€50/TEU) = €300.
- Total OLS: €2,500 (upper limit) + €600 + €300 = €3,400, accounting for 42.5% of the basic freight. An additional 10%-15% must be added to the quotation to cover costs.