ONE Shipping Adjusts Misdeclaration Surcharges: Up to $30,000 Per Container!

Publish Time: 2025-12-04     Origin: Site

A recent fire incident on the ONE Henry Hudson at the Port of Los Angeles has triggered a major policy shift for Ocean Network Express (ONE). On November 28, ONE declared the vessel a general average loss—and on December 1, the carrier issued a critical notice: a revised misdeclaration surcharge structure will take effect on January 1, 2026.


ONE emphasized that accurate cargo declaration is not just a procedural requirement but a cornerstone of compliance with safety regulations and efficient operations. "All cargo declaration information must be 100% accurate," the notice stressed. Any discrepancy between declared and actual cargo will result in additional fees under the Carrier’s Breach of Agreement (CBA) process. The new fees apply to all trade routes and services indefinitely until further notice.

New Misdeclaration Surcharge Rates (Effective Jan 1, 2026)

ONE has categorized the surcharges into two core cargo types, with separate rates for "voluntary corrections" and "mandatory corrections" initiated by the carrier.

1. Non-Dangerous Goods & Non-Dangerous Prohibited Items (With Special Loading Requirements)

  • Voluntary Correction by Shipper: If the shipper voluntarily requests a declaration amendment (before or after cargo arrives at the destination) due to concealment, omission, or misdeclaration of details in the booking description, the fee is $3,000 per container.

  • Mandatory Correction by ONE: If ONE discovers discrepancies (concealment, omission, or misdeclaration) during routine inspections and is forced to make corrections, the fee is $6,000 per container.

2. Dangerous Goods & Dangerous Prohibited Items

  • Voluntary Correction by Shipper: For voluntary amendments caused by misdeclaration in the booking phase, the fee is $15,000 per container.

  • Mandatory Correction by ONE: If ONE identifies misdeclaration during inspections and enforces corrections, the penalty rises to a staggering $30,000 per container.

Critical Alert for Shippers & Freight Forwarders

ONE’s policy update underscores the severity of cargo misdeclaration—especially for dangerous goods. The carrier explicitly warned: "Shippers and freight forwarders must ensure thorough declaration of dangerous goods to avoid unnecessary financial losses caused by safety hazards."
The policy change follows the November fire on the ONE Henry Hudson at the Port of Los Angeles, an incident that highlighted risks associated with improper cargo declaration. Industry insiders note that this is not an isolated move; major carriers are increasingly tightening declaration requirements to mitigate safety and operational risks.


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