Over Length Surcharge Standards for Ocean Shipping in 10 Countries: How to Charge for Cargo Exceeding 12 Meters?

In international ocean shipping, 12 meters is a critical threshold for most countries to classify cargo as “over-length”. Cargo exceeding this length (such as large steel structures, engineering equipment, and extra-long pipes) not only occupies more cargo space but also requires special loading/unloading equipment and stowage plans. Shipping companies and ports accordingly charge differentiated Over Length Surcharges (OLS). Due to differences in port facilities, logistics costs, and trade demands across countries, there are significant variations in the charging rules for “cargo exceeding 12 meters”. This article selects 10 core trading countries—China, Japan, Singapore, the Netherlands, Germany, the United States, Brazil, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand—and details the OLS calculation methods, additional rules, and cost optimization suggestions for cargo over 12 meters at their major ports, providing accurate references for enterprises engaged in cross-border transportation.

I. 3 Countries in Asia: Tiered Incremental Charges for Cargo Over 12 Meters, with Weight Surcharges in Some Cases

As a global manufacturing hub, Asia mainly handles industrial equipment and construction materials as over-length cargo (over 12 meters). Port charges focus on “length tiers” and “equipment adaptation”, and some countries impose additional charges based on cargo weight.

(I) China: 12 Meters as a Core Demarcation, Rates Rise Sharply for Cargo Over 15 Meters

Major Chinese ports such as Shanghai, Shenzhen, and Ningbo take 12 meters as one of the OLS thresholds. Cargo over 12 meters is charged in three tiers: “12-15 meters”, “15-20 meters”, and “over 20 meters”. For cargo over 20 tons, an additional weight surcharge is applied:

• 12m < Length ≤15m:

Charged at 10%-15% of the basic freight, or a fixed rate of USD 800-1,200 per shipment (whichever is higher). For example, a 14-meter-long bridge steel structure exported from Shanghai Port to Rotterdam Port has a basic freight of USD 6,000. Calculated at a 12% rate, the OLS = 6,000 × 12% = USD 720. If the fixed rate is USD 900, the latter will be applied;

• 15m < Length ≤20m:

The rate increases to 20%-30% of the basic freight, with a fixed rate of USD 1,500-2,500 per shipment. Taking an 18-meter-long wind turbine blade exported from Yantian Port (Shenzhen) as an example, the basic freight is USD 8,000. Calculated at a 25% rate, the OLS = 8,000 × 25% = USD 2,000. If the cargo weight reaches 25 tons (exceeding the 20-ton standard), an additional 10% overweight surcharge is levied, resulting in a total OLS of 2,000 × (1 + 10%) = USD 2,200;

• Length >20m:

A customized stowage plan is required. The rate is 40%-60% of the basic freight, plus special loading/unloading fees (e.g., USD 3,000-5,000 per trip for heavy crane use). For instance, a 22-meter-long tunnel boring machine exported from Ningbo Port has a basic freight of USD 15,000. Calculated at a 50% rate, the OLS = 15,000 × 50% = USD 7,500. Adding a crane fee of USD 4,000, the total OLS amounts to USD 11,500.

• Special Provisions:

For cargo over 12 meters requiring “non-standard cargo space” at Shanghai Port, 3D cargo drawings and weight distribution charts must be submitted 7 days in advance. A 20% “urgent processing fee” will be added for late submissions.

(II) Japan: 12 Meters as the Threshold for Construction Materials, Higher Rates for Industrial Equipment

Tokyo Port and Osaka Port (Japan) set 12 meters as the OLS threshold for general construction materials (steel, timber), while 10 meters is the threshold for industrial equipment (machine tools, generators). Cargo over 12 meters is charged based on “cargo type + length tier”:

• General Construction Materials (12m < Length ≤18m):

A fixed rate of USD 800-1,500 per shipment, with an additional USD 200 charged for each extra meter beyond 12 meters. For example, 16-meter-long timber exported from Osaka Port has a basic fixed rate of USD 1,200. The length exceeding 12 meters is 4 meters, so the additional fee = 4 × 200 = USD 800, resulting in a total OLS of 1,200 + 800 = USD 2,000;

• Industrial Equipment (12m < Length ≤15m):

A fixed rate of USD 1,500-1,800 per shipment, with an additional USD 300 charged for each extra meter beyond 15 meters. Taking a 14-meter generator exported from Tokyo Port as an example, the fixed rate is USD 1,600, with no additional per-meter fee (as it does not exceed 15 meters). For a 17-meter piece of equipment, the length exceeding 15 meters is 2 meters, so the additional fee = 2 × 300 = USD 600, leading to a total OLS of 1,800 + 600 = USD 2,400;

• Special Provisions:

From December to February (winter), due to reduced loading/unloading efficiency at ports, the OLS for cargo over 12 meters is increased by 15% overall. For example, the total summer fee for 16-meter timber (USD 2,000) becomes 2,000 × (1 + 15%) = USD 2,300 in winter.

(III) Singapore: 12.2 Meters as the Threshold, Charges Based on “Cargo Space Occupancy Ratio” for Cargo Over 12 Meters

Singapore Port uses the standard length of a 40-foot container (12.2 meters) as the OLS threshold. Cargo over 12 meters is charged based on the “actual number of cargo spaces occupied”, with discounts available for transshipment cargo:

• 12.2m < Length ≤15m:

Occupies 1.2 standard cargo spaces. OLS = (1.2 – 1) × basic freight (i.e., 20% of the basic freight). For example, 14-meter-long metal profiles transshipped via Singapore Port have a basic freight of USD 5,000. The OLS = 5,000 × 20% = USD 1,000. With a 10% transshipment discount, the actual amount paid is USD 900;

• 15m < Length ≤18m:

Occupies 1.5 standard cargo spaces. OLS = 50% of the basic freight. Taking 17-meter-long engineering equipment as an example, the basic freight is USD 9,000, so the OLS = 9,000 × 50% = USD 4,500;

• Special Provisions:

For cargo over 12 meters requiring “refrigerated transportation” (e.g., extra-long cold chain equipment), an additional 30% “cold chain adaptation fee” is charged on top of the cargo space occupancy fee. For instance, the OLS for 14-meter refrigerated equipment = 1,000 × (1 + 30%) = USD 1,300.

II. 2 Countries in Europe: “Fixed + Variable” Dual Fees for Cargo Over 12 Meters, Significant Environmental Surcharges

European ports (Rotterdam in the Netherlands, Hamburg in Germany) have tight cargo space and strict environmental requirements. The OLS for cargo over 12 meters includes “fixed base fees + variable excess fees”, and additional environmental or platform usage surcharges may apply.

(I) Netherlands (Port of Rotterdam): 8 Meters as the Threshold, Variable Rates Double for Cargo Over 12 Meters

The Port of Rotterdam sets 8 meters as the OLS threshold. Cargo over 12 meters enters a high-rate bracket, with charges consisting of “fixed base fees + variable excess fees”:

• 12m < Length ≤16m:

A fixed base fee of EUR 500 per shipment, plus a variable excess fee of 30% of the basic freight. For example, 14-meter-long German automotive production line equipment has a basic freight of EUR 8,000. The OLS = 500 + 8,000 × 30% = 500 + 2,400 = EUR 2,900;

• Length >16m:

The fixed base fee remains unchanged, while the variable excess fee increases to 50% of the basic freight. If a dedicated loading/unloading platform is required, an additional EUR 800 per trip is charged. Taking 18-meter-long chemical equipment as an example, the basic freight is EUR 12,000. The OLS = 500 + 12,000 × 50% + 800 = 500 + 6,000 + 800 = EUR 7,300;

• Special Provisions:

For dangerous goods over 12 meters (e.g., extra-long pressure vessels), the variable excess fee is increased by 20%. For instance, the OLS for 14-meter dangerous goods = 500 + 8,000 × 30% × (1 + 20%) = 500 + 2,880 = EUR 3,380.

(II) Germany (Port of Hamburg): Classified by Cargo Type, Additional Coordination Fees for Breakbulk Cargo Over 12 Meters

The Port of Hamburg classifies cargo over 12 meters into “breakbulk cargo” and “containerized cargo” for charging, with additional loading/unloading coordination fees for breakbulk cargo:

• Breakbulk Cargo (12m < Length ≤15m):

A fixed rate of EUR 1,800-2,000 per shipment, plus a EUR 500 loading/unloading coordination fee. For example, 13-meter-long large pipes have a fixed rate of EUR 1,900, resulting in a total OLS of 1,900 + 500 = EUR 2,400;

• Breakbulk Cargo (Length >15m):

A fixed rate of EUR 2,000 per shipment, with an additional EUR 300 charged for each extra meter, plus a EUR 500 coordination fee. Taking 16-meter-long steel structures as an example, the length exceeding 15 meters is 1 meter. The OLS = 2,000 + 300 × 1 + 500 = EUR 2,800;

• Containerized Cargo (Cargo exceeding container length by 1-3 meters, i.e., total length 13.192-15.192 meters):

Charged as “excess length × EUR 200 per meter”. For example, 14-meter containerized cargo (exceeding by 1.808 meters) has an OLS of 1.808 × 200 ≈ EUR 362. If the excess length exceeds 3 meters (total length >15.192 meters), an additional 10% of the basic freight is charged. For 16-meter cargo (exceeding by 3.808 meters) with a basic freight of EUR 6,000, the OLS = 3.808 × 200 + 6,000 × 10% ≈ 762 + 600 = EUR 1,362;

• Special Provisions:

From November to February (winter), the OLS for cargo over 12 meters is increased by 15% overall. The total winter fee for 13-meter pipes = 2,400 × (1 + 15%) = EUR 2,760.

III. 3 Countries in the Americas: “Terminal Monopoly Fees” for Cargo Over 12 Meters, Higher Thresholds in North America

Ports in the Americas (Los Angeles in the U.S., Santos in Brazil, Vancouver in Canada) are mostly operated by private entities. For cargo over 12 meters, in addition to shipping company fees, terminal handling fees are required, with higher thresholds in North America.

(I) United States (Port of Los Angeles/Port of Long Beach): 15 Meters as the Threshold, Temporary Exemption for Cargo Over 12 Meters but Additional Fees Apply

The Port of Los Angeles and Port of Long Beach set 15 meters as the OLS threshold. No OLS is temporarily charged for cargo between 12-15 meters, but attention should be paid to “non-North American origin” surcharges and declaration requirements:

• 12m < Length ≤15m:

No OLS is charged by shipping companies, but a terminal handling fee of USD 1,800-2,200 per shipment is required. For non-North American origin cargo, an additional 10% import surcharge is levied. For example, a USD 2,000 terminal fee becomes 2,000 × (1 + 10%) = USD 2,200;

• 15m < Length ≤20m:

Shipping company base fee = 25% of the basic freight, plus a terminal handling fee of USD 2,200-2,500, and a 10% non-North American surcharge. Taking 18-meter-long Chinese-made construction machinery as an example, the basic freight is USD 10,000. The OLS = 10,000 × 25% + 2,400 × (1 + 10%) = 2,500 + 2,640 = USD 5,140;

• Length >20m:

Shipping company base fee = 40% of the basic freight, plus a terminal handling fee of USD 2,500, and a dedicated berth fee of USD 3,000 per day (usually 1-2 days). For 22-meter cargo with a basic freight of USD 15,000 and a 1-day berth rental, the OLS = 15,000 × 40% + 2,500 + 3,000 = 6,000 + 2,500 + 3,000 = USD 11,500;

• Special Provisions:

Cargo over 12 meters must be declared to customs 10 days in advance. A fine of USD 500 per day is imposed for delays. For example, a 14-meter cargo with a 3-day declaration delay incurs an additional USD 1,500 late fee.

(II) Brazil (Port of Santos): Significant Peak/Off-Peak Differences, Higher Rates for Cargo Over 12 Meters in Peak Season

The Port of Santos sets 12 meters as the OLS threshold in peak seasons (January-April, September-December) and 15 meters in off-peak seasons (May-August). A tariff surcharge is required for cargo over 12 meters:

• Peak Season (12m < Length ≤18m):

OLS = 30% of the basic freight + 0.5% of the cargo value (tariff surcharge). For example, 14-meter-long Brazilian-made agricultural machinery (cargo value USD 50,000) has a basic freight of USD 7,000. The OLS = 7,000 × 30% + 50,000 × 0.5% = 2,100 + 250 = USD 2,350;

• Peak Season (Length >18m):

OLS = 50% of the basic freight + 1% of the cargo value. Taking 20-meter-long imported steel structures (cargo value USD 80,000) as an example, the basic freight is USD 12,000. The OLS = 12,000 × 50% + 80,000 × 1% = 6,000 + 800 = USD 6,800;

• Off-Peak Season (12m < Length ≤15m):

No