Maersk is tightening the weight limit that triggers its Heavy Load Surcharge (HWS) on cargo moving from Far East Asia to Germany and Poland, meaning more shipments will now fall into the surcharge category than before.

What Is Changing

Starting with a Price Calculation Date of 19 October 2026, Maersk will charge a $400 Heavy Load Surcharge on all types of 20-foot containers with a Verified Gross Mass (VGM) above 25 metric tonnes when moving from Far East Asia to Germany and Poland. This is a reduction from the previous threshold, meaning containers that were below the old limit but above 25 tonnes will now incur the fee.

Why the VGM Threshold Matters

VGM is the total weight of a loaded container, including the goods, packaging and the container itself, as verified and declared before loading. Carriers use VGM thresholds to flag heavier boxes that can require special handling, equipment, or stacking considerations at terminals and during transport. By lowering the threshold specifically for Germany and Poland, Maersk is widening the pool of shipments that will be assessed the surcharge on this route.

How This Compares to Other North Europe Routes

For other North European destinations, the threshold remains unchanged at above 28 metric tonnes, a level that took effect on 30 September 2026. This creates a gap between Germany and Poland, where the lower 25-tonne threshold applies, and the rest of North Europe, where the higher 28-tonne threshold still applies. Shippers moving similar cargo to different North European countries may now see different surcharge outcomes depending on the exact destination.

What This Means for Shippers and Cargo Owners

For companies shipping heavier cargo in 20-foot containers to Germany or Poland from Far East Asia, this change is worth checking closely. Loads that previously avoided the Heavy Load Surcharge because they fell between 25 and 28 tonnes will now be charged the $400 fee once the new threshold takes effect on 19 October 2026. This is based on the Price Calculation Date, so shippers should confirm how their bookings are dated and whether they fall under the new or old rule.

Freight forwarders and shippers planning shipments to Germany or Poland should recalculate landed costs for heavier 20-foot loads and factor in the surcharge when comparing routing options. Those who regularly ship to multiple North European destinations may want to review whether redirecting cargo through other countries changes the applicable threshold, keeping in mind that the rest of North Europe still uses the higher 28-tonne limit.

The change does not appear to affect transit times or sailing schedules, only the cost side of shipments that meet the revised weight criteria. As with any surcharge update, exact billing will depend on the Verified Gross Mass declared for each container, so accurate weighing and documentation remain important to avoid unexpected charges. Shippers working with freight forwarders should ask specifically whether their Germany- or Poland-bound cargo falls above the new 25-tonne mark, since this is now the operative line for the Heavy Load Surcharge on this route.

Sources: container-news.com