On 26 October 2026, Maersk published two Peak Season Surcharge (PSS) revision notices covering cargo from China and Hong Kong, China, to Kenya, Dar es Salaam in Tanzania, South Africa and Mauritius. The revised levels take effect on 9 November and remain in place until further notice.[1][2]
Buyers sourcing bolts, nuts and other fasteners from China for these destinations need to account for this surcharge when planning November shipments. The destination, container size and applicable pricing date all matter when calculating transport costs.
Four destinations, different 20 ft charges
Both notices list a PSS of USD 2,000 per 40 ft container. For 20 ft containers, the level is USD 1,000 to Kenya, South Africa and Mauritius, and USD 1,200 to Dar es Salaam.
Match the effective date to the booking terms
Maersk sets out different rules by booking type. Non-SPOT bookings use the Price Calculation Date (PCD), determined under the relevant transport terms in the notices.[1]
For SPOT bookings, the notices separately refer to the booking confirmation date or the first vessel's ETD at booking confirmation. The 9 November effective date therefore needs to be read alongside the relevant booking record, with application confirmed under the carrier's booking terms.[2]
Collection at origin and payment arrangements
Both notices state that the charge is collected at origin unless a different payment term has been selected. Which party ultimately bears it depends on the arrangements between buyer, seller and the transport parties.
WH Fastener's view: relate the surcharge to the actual load
In WH Fastener's view, the effect on fastener procurement starts with how transport costs are allocated to a particular order. PSS is charged per container. The same container charge produces different costs per tonne or per piece when spread across different loads. Assessing the landed cost of bolts and nuts therefore requires the actual loading plan; a PSS amount per container cannot be converted directly into a product price increase.
Container choice also matters. For Kenya, South Africa and Mauritius, the PSS for a 40 ft container is twice the 20 ft level. When comparing standard dry containers, however, the payload of a 40 ft unit cannot simply be assumed to be double that of a 20 ft unit. For fastener orders where weight is the main loading constraint, cargo weight, package dimensions and actual loading limits all influence container choice. Cost comparisons should use a feasible load, with the payload of the specific container confirmed.[3]
WH Fastener therefore places greater weight on comparing landed costs under the same transport conditions. Even when product unit prices are identical, the final cost can differ according to whether PSS is included and which pricing date applies. Making these conditions clear helps identify exactly which part of an order the revision affects.
When contacting WH Fastener, include the destination port and expected shipping date so that transport arrangements can be considered alongside the product requirements.
