CMA CGM Adds A US$100-per-TEU Peak Season Surcharge From China To Durban

Sep 15, 2026

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Sophia Xu
Sophia Xu
Sophia is an experienced tea taster at Shengzhou Houtu Tea Co., Ltd. She has a sharp palate and can accurately evaluate the taste and quality of various green teas, providing valuable opinions for the company's production.
HOUTU MARKET LETTER · GLOBAL TEA NEWS 232
CMA CGM Adds a US$100-per-TEU Peak Season Surcharge from China to Durban
CMA CGM customer advisory · Source date: 2026-09-10
CMA CGM announced a US$100 per TEU peak season surcharge on all cargo from China to Durban, effective for loading from 17 September 2026 until further notice.

HOUTU TEA tea sourcing and quality-control illustration

Illustrative HOUTU TEA image. This is an owned brand image used to explain procurement context, not a photograph of the reported news event.

What changed

For a 40-foot container, the headline PSS is normally two TEU, implying US$200 before any filing treatment or inclusion in ocean freight. The carrier also notes bunker, terminal, security, contingency and local charges may apply.

Implication for African buyers

Although the notice targets Durban, it is relevant to Southern African distribution and a useful reminder that Africa routes can change between purchase order and loading. West African rates must still be checked separately.

Decision logic

Tea buyers should ask whether the PSS is already included in the freight quote and which loading date controls application. A base rate without the full charge sheet is not a landed-cost comparison.

Numbers to retain

Surcharge: US$100/TEU
Effective: 17 Sep 2026
Scope: China to Durban, all cargo

Buyer action list

  • Confirm loading-date applicability
  • Ask if PSS is included
  • Request full origin and destination charges
  • Refresh freight before final margin approval

Do not overread the data

US$100 per TEU is a surcharge, not the total ocean freight. A 40-foot calculation assumes two TEU and should be confirmed with the carrier or forwarder.
Order-planning example
A buyer comparing two tea offers should refresh both freight sheets on the same day. If one quote excludes the new PSS and the other includes it, the cheaper-looking tea may become more expensive after the charge is normalised.
Source basis: CMA CGM customer advisory, 2026-09-10. HOUTU TEA independently interprets the published data for procurement planning. Published averages are not offers and may be revised by the source.
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