Cargo Weight Guidelines and Surcharges

In order to comply with both U.S. and Canada local and highway transportation laws, Swire Shipping will not participate in the transportation of any container that exceeds applicable over-the-road regulations.

Swire Shipping offers the following guidelines for maximum container payload/cargo weights.

In the event that any container received exceeds these guidelines, Swire Shipping will evaluate all options available to meet the road legal requirements. Any additional charges incurred to meet road legal limits will be for the customer's account.

The following cargo weights apply to all States in U.S. except where specified below:

20’ EQUIVALENT
Standard Max
w/surcharge
0 - 37,500 lbs. 37,501 - 43,500 lbs.
40’ EQUIVALENT
Standard Max
w/surcharge
0 - 43,500 lbs. 43,501 lbs. + *
Exceptions:
20’ EQUIVALENT
40’ EQUIVALENT
U.S. State Standard Max
w/surcharge 		Standard Max
w/surcharge
S. Carolina See above 43,000 lbs.* See above See above
Missouri See above See above See above 43,000 lbs.*
Illinois 38,000 lbs. See above See above 43,000 lbs.*

*For shipments exceeding these cargo weights, please inquire for equipment availability and pricing

United States - Additional Weight Considerations:

Gross Weight - Maximum allowable weight for trucks on U.S. Interstate highways is 80,000 lbs., including tractor weight, chassis, container and cargo weight. Non-interstate limits are normally lower and vary.

In addition, it is possible to be considered overweight as follows:

Axle Weight – Allowable gross weight on a single or set of axles is regulated by individual states. States typically allow 34,000 lbs. per tandem axle and 20,000 lbs over single axle.

Over 50% of all U.S. citations issued are for axle weight violations, usually the result of uneven distribution of the load inside the container.

Container Type Currency
Dry USD
20’ EQUIVALENT
Local IPI
$350.00 $400.00
40’ EQUIVALENT
Local IPI
(Inquire)* (Inquire)*

O/W surcharges are based on a Live-Unload basis (initial day). Any charges incurred for additional days will be for the customer's account.

*Specialized 40' equipment is limited. Please inquire for availability and applicable charges.

For the purposes of this surcharge in the U.S., shipments are classified as 'heavy' when cargo weight exceeds the limits listed below:

20 ft dry container that has a cargo weight above 37,500 pounds (Except where noted).
40 ft dry or High Cube container that has a cargo weight above 43,500 pounds (Except where noted).

Special equipment/permits to accommodate overweight cargo is limited. Any additional costs incurred to secure special equipment/permits (CY Terminal/Rail demurrage etc.) will be for the account of cargo.

Surcharges are subject to review and may change at any time. All additional charges will be for the account of cargo.

The following cargo weights apply to all provinces in Canada except where specified below:

20’ EQUIVALENT
Standard Max
w/surcharge
0 - 46,000 lbs. 46,001 - 52,500 lbs.
40’ EQUIVALENT
Standard Max
w/surcharge
0 - 50,000 lbs. 50,001 - 57,000 lbs. *

*For shipments exceeding these cargo weights, please inquire for equipment availability and pricing.

Exceptions:
Quebec - Spring Thaw

These weight restrictions apply to all pickups and deliveries with the province of Quebec within the spring thaw period. The maximum allowable cargo weights are below for your reference. Start and end dates are subject to change, without notice, depending on weather conditions.

Quebec Thaw Period
Trucking within Quebec:
20’ EQUIVALENT
Standard Max
w/surcharge
0 - 39,500 lbs. 39,501 - 41,500 lbs.
40’ EQUIVALENT
Standard Max
w/surcharge
0 - 47,500 lbs. 47,501 - 49,500 lbs.*
Trucking between Montreal and Toronto:
20’ EQUIVALENT
Standard Max
w/surcharge
0 - 38,500 lbs. 38,501 - 39,900 lbs.
40’ EQUIVALENT
Standard Max
w/surcharge
0 - 43,500 lbs. 43,501 - 45,500 lbs.*

Note: Limited specialized equipment available in Montreal during "Spring Thaw" period.

Container Type Currency
Dry USD
Montreal during "Spring Thaw" period:
20’ EQUIVALENT
Local IPI
$125.00 $175.00
$250.00
40’ EQUIVALENT
Local IPI
(Inquire)* (Inquire)*
$250.00

O/W surcharges are based on a Live-Unload basis (initial day). Any charges incurred for additional days will be for the customer's account

*Specialized 40' equipment is limited. Please inquire for availability and applicable charges.

For the purposes of this overweight surcharge in Canada, shipments are classified as 'heavy' when weight of cargo exceeds the limits listed below:

20 ft dry container that has a cargo weight above 46,000 pounds
40 ft dry or High Cube container that has a cargo weight above 50,000 pounds

Special equipment/permits to accommodate overweight cargo are limited. Any additional costs incurred to secure special equipment/permits (CY Terminal/Rail demurrage etc.) will be for the account of cargo.

Surcharges are subject to review and may change at any time. All additional charges will be for the account of cargo.

Canada Rail
20’ EQUIVALENT
40’ EQUIVALENT
Provider Standard Max
(w/surcharge) 		Overweight
surcharge 		Standard Max
(w/surcharge) 		Overweight
surcharge
CP Rail 47,500 lbs 60,000 lbs $400.00 48,000 lbs 65,000 lbs $400.00
CN Rail 47,900 lbs 55,000 lbs $600.00 60,000 lbs 65,000 lbs $500.00
U.S. Rail

Standard (Cargo & Tare):

20’ EQUIVALENT
40’ EQUIVALENT
Provider Max Weight Max Weight
UP, BNSF, CSX, NS 52,900 lbs (Cargo + Tare) 67,200 lbs (Cargo + Tare)
Exception
(Cargo weight Only):
20’ EQUIVALENT
40’ EQUIVALENT
Provider Standard Max
(w/surcharge) 		Overweight
surcharge 		Standard Max
(w/surcharge) 		Overweight
surcharge
NWCS Rail [Portland] 39,200 lbs 48,100 lbs $200.00 44,400 lbs 58,400 lbs $200.00
UP Rail [WB Only] 44,000 lbs 48,100 lbs See below 52,000 lbs 58,400 lbs See below
UP Rail WB overweight surcharges:
20’ EQUIVALENT
40’ EQUIVALENT
Origin City:
Chicago (Global IV) $200.00 $200.00
All other UP Rail ramps - $30.00 $20.00
(Kansas City, Memphis, St. Louis and Omaha)

Surcharges are subject to review and may change at any time.
Note these are rail guidelines only and all cargo weights are subject to all applicable road laws.

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