What is Peak Season Surcharge?
A peak season surcharge (PSS) is an additional charge that carriers add to base freight rates during periods of high demand, when capacity is tight and space is scarce. In ocean shipping it is usually announced per container for specific trades and origins, while in air freight it is typically charged per kilogram; NVOCCs and forwarders often pass carrier surcharges through to their own customers. Peak periods vary by trade, often linked to pre-holiday retail stocking and to production ahead of Lunar New Year, and carriers also introduce surcharges when disruptions reduce capacity. Whether a PSS applies to a specific shipment depends on the contract: service contracts and rate agreements may include it, exclude it, cap it or make it subject to separate notice. In US ocean trades, a new or increased charge in a carrier's or NVOCC's public tariff cannot take effect earlier than 30 calendar days after publication under 46 CFR 520.8.
Why it matters for forwarders
For forwarders, PSS is a pricing and contract risk rather than a fixed cost: a quote that does not say whether PSS is included can become loss-making when a surcharge is announced between quotation and shipment. State quote validity clearly and whether rates are all-in or subject to surcharges in force at the time of shipment, and pass carrier PSS through only as the customer contract allows. Check which date the tariff or contract uses to determine the applicable rate, such as receipt or loading, rather than assuming the booking date governs. For US tariff shipments, compare carrier announcements with tariff publication dates, because an increase that has not been published for 30 days cannot yet be applied. In annual contract negotiations, shippers with volume commitments may seek PSS caps or exemptions in exchange for allocation commitments.