Major Carriers Hike Peak Season Surcharges (PSS) for July 2026 – Surging Freight Costs for USCA, East Africa & India-Pakistan Lanes

As we step into the peak shipping season ahead of July 2026, leading ocean carriers CMA CGM and MSC have rolled out sweeping updates to their Peak Season Surcharges (PSS) across key export trade lanes, pushing overall booking costs sharply higher for global shippers. If you’re exporting cargo to North America, East Africa, or the Indian Subcontinent, these new surcharge adjustments will directly impact your logistics budget—and our team at STU Supply Chain is here to help you navigate rising rates with cost-effective shipping solutions.

CMA CGM Doubles PSS for Asia-US & Canada Routes, Effective July 10

CMA CGM delivered the most dramatic rate hike for the US-Canada trade lane, with its new PSS tariffs nearly doubling compared to the April 2026 baseline charges.Starting July 10, 2026, all shipments loaded from Asia, the Far East, and the Indian Subcontinent (excluding Honolulu and Dutch Harbor) bound for the US and Canada will incur the following PSS fees:

• 20ft Dry Container: USD 3,600 per container

• 40ft Dry / 40ft High Cube: USD 4,000 per container

• 45ft High Cube: USD 5,050 per container

For reference, CMA CGM’s prior April PSS tariffs stood at USD 1,800 (20ft), USD 2,000 (40ft), and USD 2,530 (45ft). The full doubling of surcharges marks a massive jump in overhead for US and Canada-bound exporters, squeezing profit margins amid peak-season cargo demand.

CMA CGM Introduces New PSS for China-East Africa Sailings from July 1

CMA CGM also rolled out a brand-new peak surcharge covering all dry and reefer cargo shipped from China to major East African ports, effective July 1, 2026, applicable to all short-term contracts until further notice:

1. North/Central/South China → Mombasa (Kenya) & Dar Es Salaam (Tanzania: USD 750 per TEU

2. North & Central China → Zanzibar (Tanzania): USD 900 per TEU

3. South China → Zanzibar (Tanzania): USD 1,100 per TEU

Exporters handling furniture, electronics, and general merchandise to East Africa will now face this fixed seasonal surcharge on top of base ocean freight, with southern China-based manufacturers bearing the highest cost for Zanzibar deliveries.

MSC Applies Flat PSS for Far East to India & Pakistan Ports (July 1 Launch)

Not to be outdone, MSC implemented a uniform Peak Season Surcharge for all dry containers traveling from the Far East to key Indian and Pakistani gateway ports, also launching July 1, 2026.Shipments originating from Chinese Mainland, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, and Southeast Asian nations heading to Pipavav, Jawaharlal Nehru, Mundra (India), and all Pakistani ports will pay a flat PSS of USD 500 per container—regardless of whether the unit is 20ft, 40ft, or 45ft dry box. While this fee is lower than North America/East Africa tariffs, it adds consistent extra cost for cross-border trade with the South Asian market.

How STU Supply Chain Mitigates Your Peak Season Logistics Pressure

With steep PSS increases hitting three core global trade corridors, freight forwarders and manufacturers face unprecedented cost headwinds this summer. At STU Supply Chain (www.stusupplychain.com), we provide tailored logistics strategies to offset surcharge hikes for our clients:

1. Advanced Booking Planning: Secure locked space and pre-negotiated contract rates weeks ahead of vessel cutoffs to avoid peak surcharge markups.

2. Multi-Carrier Route Alternatives: Access competitive space with a wide portfolio of ocean carriers beyond CMA CGM & MSC to balance pricing across USCA, East Africa, and Indo-Pak lanes.

3. End-to-End Cost Auditing: Our logistics specialists break down all surcharges, base freight, and local charges upfront to eliminate hidden fees for your shipments.

4. Dedicated Account Support: Real-time updates on carrier tariff changes, vessel schedules, and seasonal cost adjustments to help you align production and shipping timelines efficiently.

Plan Your Shipments Early to Avoid Budget Overruns

Carriers are accelerating surcharge revisions as peak demand ramps up for holiday inventory shipments to North America and growing consumer import volumes across Africa and South Asia. Delayed bookings will expose your cargo to the full weight of these inflated PSS fees.Don’t let unexpected seasonal surcharges eat into your bottom line. Visit our official website www.stusupplychain.com today to connect with our global logistics team, request a custom freight quotation, and get expert guidance to optimize your summer export shipping plans.