Maersk will introduce a new Port Security Service Export surcharge on cargo originating from the United States and Canada from October 1, 2026, adding a new cost for exporters using the carrier’s services.
For cargo loaded in the United States, the surcharge will be US$15 per container, while shipments originating in Canada will incur a charge of US$12 per container. Maersk said the fee is intended to recover terminal-related security costs associated with export cargo.
The effective-date rules will differ between the two markets. For FMC-regulated US cargo, including exempt cargo loaded at US ports, the applicable date will depend on when Maersk takes possession of the final container covered by the bill of lading.
For Canadian exports, the surcharge will apply based on the vessel’s scheduled sailing date. The charges will generally be assessed on a prepaid basis unless otherwise specified in customers’ shipping instructions.
The new fee will add to the range of surcharges that exporters and freight forwarders must account for when calculating transportation costs. The relatively small per-container charge is nevertheless expected to increase landed costs for shippers moving large volumes through North American ports.
Maersk’s move comes as carriers continue to adjust local and terminal-related charges in response to changing operating, security and compliance costs. The new surcharge specifically targets export cargo originating in the US and Canada.
Exporters are likely to factor the additional fee into freight budgets and compare its impact across carriers when planning shipments for the fourth quarter of 2026.
The introduction of the surcharge highlights the growing role of security-related costs in international container logistics and adds another variable for North American exporters managing increasingly complex supply-chain expenses.