CMA CGM Durban PSS: How a One-Day Delay Could Cost $500 More per TEU

If you are booking CMA CGM cargo from China to Durban this month, the loading date can make a substantial difference to the peak season surcharge (PSS). A South China container loaded on 21 October falls within the US$550 per TEU Far East level effective from 8 October. On 22 October, CMA CGM’s new South China rate of US$1,050 per TEU takes effect. That is a US$500 per TEU difference between the published rates, potentially US$1,000 on a standard 40-foot container, if the new rate replaces the earlier level and the booking is subject to the change.

CMA CGM has issued six Durban-related PSS notices since August 2026, with published rates rising from US$100 to as much as US$1,150 per TEU. The latest changes create different loading-date windows for South China, North and Central China, and other Far East origins. The full rate history comes first, followed by the dates and booking terms forwarders need to check.

Which CMA CGM Durban PSS Applies to Your Container?

Each CMA CGM notice specifies an origin range, an amount per TEU and an effective loading date. The table below traces the successive announcements. These are historical rate updates, not a list of charges that should automatically be added together. Later notices may supersede earlier rates for overlapping origins, subject to carrier confirmation and applicable booking terms.

CMA CGM notice	Applies from	Origin	PSS per TEU	Stated end
11 Aug 2026	20 Aug 2026, loading date	Asia to South Africa and Mauritius	US$100	Until further notice
10 Sep 2026	17 Sep 2026, loading date	China	US$100	Until further notice
17 Sep 2026	25 Sep 2026, loading date	China, Northeast Asia and Southeast Asia	US$350	Until further notice
30 Sep 2026	8 Oct 2026, loading date	Far East	US$550	Until further notice
12 Oct 2026	22 Oct 2026, loading date	Far East	US$750	Until further notice
16 Oct 2026	22–31 Oct 2026, loading date	South China	US$1,050	31 Oct 2026
16 Oct 2026	28–31 Oct 2026, loading date	North and Central China	US$1,150	31 Oct 2026

CMA CGM peak season surcharge announcements affecting Durban, all cargo types. Notice dates link to the original carrier announcements. “Until further notice” reproduces the stated validity of each notice; it does not establish that older rates remain simultaneously applicable after subsequent updates. Verified against CMA CGM notices available on 21 October 2026.

South China, late October. Cargo loaded from 22 to 31 October falls within the new US$1,050 per TEU window. The preceding Far East level is US$550 per TEU through 21 October. CMA CGM describes the new announcement as a PSS update, suggesting that the more specific rate replaces the broader level. However, the notice does not expressly explain how overlapping PSS announcements are reconciled. Confirm the applicable rate and whether any separate PSS is also charged before issuing a final quote.

North and Central China. The US$1,150 rate begins on 28 October and runs through 31 October. The broader Far East notice sets US$750 per TEU from 22 October, covering the preceding 22–27 October period under the published schedule. A shift from 27 to 28 October therefore crosses a US$400 per TEU difference between the announced levels, assuming the China-specific rate supersedes the broader rate.

Other Far East origins. The US$550 level took effect on 8 October, replacing the earlier published US$350 level in the successive rate schedule. A further increase to US$750 per TEU takes effect on 22 October and is stated to remain applicable until further notice. The separate late-October US$1,050 and US$1,150 windows apply specifically to the China origin regions named in CMA CGM’s 16 October announcement.

November loadings. The 16 October China-specific notice states that both windows run through 31 October. The broader US$750 Far East notice is effective until further notice, but the carrier has not expressly confirmed how the China-specific charges will be treated from 1 November. Do not assume the rate automatically returns to US$750 without checking the latest carrier notice and booking terms.

What Is a Peak Season Surcharge?

A peak season surcharge (PSS) is a charge that an ocean carrier announces for a particular trade, generally in response to demand or changing market conditions. It is commonly added to base ocean freight, although some quotations include it within the ocean freight amount. Each notice identifies the affected origins, destinations, cargo, amount and effective date. Its validity depends on the published period and any subsequent amendment or replacement.

The word “peak” is loose in practice. CMA CGM has announced Durban PSS levels outside conventional peak-shipping periods, including US$250 per TEU from the Far East effective 15 July 2025 and US$200 per TEU from China effective 20 December 2025. On this lane, the repeated PSS updates illustrate how the carrier adjusts published charges as market conditions change. For a second lane where four carriers announced different PSS amounts, see our North Europe to US PSS comparison.

How Is a PSS Different From a GRI, a FAK Rate or a Congestion Fee?

Charge	What it changes	What to look for in the notice
Peak season surcharge (PSS)	Announces a surcharge, which may be billed separately or included in ocean freight	Origin, destination, amount, loading-date trigger and validity
General rate increase (GRI)	Announces an increase to freight pricing on a specified trade	Trade lane, effective date and applicable rate basis
Freight all kinds (FAK) rate	Sets a general freight rate for a defined range of cargo	Rate validity and which surcharges are included or excluded
Congestion fee	Applies a charge associated with congestion at a specified port or destination	Geographic scope, container size, effective date and pricing terms

Common carrier pricing instruments. The actual billing treatment depends on the carrier’s tariff, quotation and applicable contract.

Durban shows the PSS and congestion-fee models side by side. Maersk has announced a Congestion Fee Destination (CFD) of US$450 per 20-foot container and US$900 per 40-foot container, effective 1 November 2026 for non-regulated origins and Vietnam, and 8 November for South Korea and Taiwan. CMA CGM’s notices discussed here concern its own PSS. Maersk’s CFD does not apply to CMA CGM cargo, and CMA CGM’s PSS does not apply to Maersk cargo. When comparing quotations, normalize the amounts by container size and applicable dates, then compare total freight and surcharges rather than treating either line item as the complete cost.

Why a China-Origin PSS May Not Appear as a Separate Line

For ex-China shipments, CMA CGM’s notices state that the PSS is subject to filing with Shanghai Shipping Exchange and/or may be included in ocean freight. A China-origin quote can therefore show a single ocean freight figure with the PSS already folded in. Ask whether the PSS is included, which rate is reflected and how any subsequent update will be handled. A quote issued before 22 October may still reflect the US$550 Far East level or a separately agreed rate, depending on its terms.

Why the Loading Date Is the Date to Watch

CMA CGM’s Durban notices specify loading date as the effective-date trigger. The US$550 Far East notice applies from 8 October by loading date, the US$750 notice from 22 October, and the China-specific windows cover loading dates of 22–31 October and 28–31 October. Under these published conditions, the booking date or Durban arrival date does not by itself determine the applicable PSS. Contractual pricing arrangements may affect what the customer ultimately owes. Separate CMA CGM pricing changes on other trades are covered in our September breakdown. Carriers also use different pricing mechanisms: Maersk’s rate application can depend on the shipment’s applicable pricing terms, including its Price Calculation Date.

The planned departure on a booking confirmation is a forecast. If a vessel slips or a container is rolled to a later sailing, the actual loading date may fall into a different PSS window. Forwarders should obtain the loading event recorded for each container at the port of loading and compare it against the carrier’s applicable notice. Where an invoice appears to use the wrong period, the recorded loading date provides evidence for a rate query, alongside the booking confirmation, quotation and contract terms.

For forwarders, the exposure often sits in quotes already issued. A South China shipment quoted against the US$550 level but loaded on 22 October crosses a US$500 per TEU difference between published PSS levels. For North and Central China, a rollover from 27 to 28 October crosses a US$400 per TEU difference between the US$750 and US$1,150 levels. These amounts illustrate potential pricing exposure if the newer rates supersede the earlier levels and the booking terms permit the change. Whether the forwarder, shipper or another contracting party bears that difference depends on the agreed terms.

If your team is checking loading dates container by container to match each CMA CGM invoice to the right PSS window, walk through how ops teams track actual loading events across carriers.

What Else Applies to a Durban Container

The PSS is one line among several. CMA CGM states that bunker-related charges, terminal handling charges, safety and security surcharges, and other local or contingency charges may apply in addition to base freight and the PSS. At the Durban end, containers handled at Durban Gateway Terminal are subject to the terminal’s applicable storage rules. Carrier demurrage and detention terms are separate and should be checked against the relevant shipment agreement.

DGT’s storage arrangements and related carrier-charge considerations are discussed in our post on Maersk’s Durban congestion fee. Check the latest terminal and carrier notices for currently applicable periods and concessions. For background on the port disruption, see our August report on Durban delays.

What to Check on Each CMA CGM Durban Booking Before 31 October

Origin bucket. Confirm whether the shipment falls under South China, North and Central China, or the broader Far East notice. The effective dates and published amounts differ.
Actual loading date per container. Check the loading event at the origin port against the published effective dates. The planned departure on the booking confirmation is not sufficient.
Rollovers across the cut dates. Flag any South China box moved from a loading date before 22 October to 22 October or later, and any North or Central China box moved from 27 October or earlier to 28 October or later.
Replace or add. Ask CMA CGM to confirm in writing whether the US$1,050 and US$1,150 China-specific PSS levels supersede the broader US$750 Far East level and whether any separate PSS remains payable.
November loadings. Confirm the applicable rate from 1 November. The China-specific windows end on 31 October, while the broader Far East notice states that its rate remains effective until further notice.
China-origin quotes. Check whether the PSS is included in the ocean freight amount, which published level was used, and whether a later change can be passed through.
Contract terms. Review how your service contract or spot quotation treats PSS announcements, later tariff updates, loading-date changes and charges introduced after the quote was issued.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a peak season surcharge in shipping?

A peak season surcharge is a carrier-announced charge on a specified trade, commonly associated with periods of high demand or changing market conditions. It may be added separately to base freight or included in the quoted ocean freight amount. The applicable notice and booking terms determine how it is charged.

Which date decides CMA CGM’s Durban PSS?

CMA CGM’s published Durban PSS notices use loading date at the origin port as the effective-date trigger. The US$750 Far East level takes effect from 22 October 2026, while the separate South China and North/Central China windows begin on 22 and 28 October respectively. The amount ultimately billed remains subject to the applicable quotation and contract terms.

Does Maersk’s Durban congestion fee apply to CMA CGM cargo?

No. Maersk’s Congestion Fee Destination is a Maersk charge on shipments within its stated scope. CMA CGM’s Durban PSS is a separate carrier charge. Compare the carriers’ full quotations rather than applying one carrier’s surcharge to another carrier’s shipment.

When does CMA CGM’s late-October Durban PSS end?

CMA CGM’s 16 October notice specifies 22–31 October 2026 for the US$1,050 South China PSS and 28–31 October for the US$1,150 North and Central China PSS. The broader US$750 Far East notice is effective until further notice. Confirm the applicable China-origin rate for loading dates from 1 November rather than assuming a particular fallback amount.

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