Effective October 1, 2026, Maersk will implement a Port Security Service Export charge on cargo originating from the United States and Canada. The surcharge is set at USD $15 per container for U.S.-origin cargo and USD $12 per container for Canadian cargo, designed to recover terminal-related security costs.
While the per-container dollar amounts may seem modest, any added cost layered onto already-elevated reefer freight rates matters for perishable exporters working on thin margins. This affects any North American produce shipper moving product via Maersk — including exporters of apples, grapes, citrus, and other commodities with meaningful export programs.
Watch for other major carriers to follow Maersk's lead with similar surcharges. If this becomes an industry-wide move heading into the fall export season, the cumulative cost impact on outbound produce logistics could be more significant than the per-unit fee suggests.