Maersk has announced that beginning November 12, 2025, it will implement a Peak Season Surcharge (PSS) across all container types moving from Asia,including Mainland China, Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, Brunei, and multiple Southeast Asian load ports,to Northern Europe and the Mediterranean.

The carrier cites tightening vessel capacity, high forecasted Q4–Q1 demand, and the need to maintain network stability as primary drivers behind the decision. For exporters, manufacturers, and cross-border e-commerce sellers shipping from Asia to Europe, this change will directly affect freight costs, margin planning, and replenishment timelines.

TL;DR for Sellers

Expect a temporary increase in Asia–Europe container shipping costs.
Plan early, review your pricing and Incoterms, and avoid pushing bookings too close to the PSS start date.

What Is a Peak Season Surcharge (PSS)?

A PSS is a variable, time-bound fee carriers apply when demand exceeds available capacity.
Common triggers include:

• Pre-holiday demand surges
• Congestion at key European ports
• Equipment shortages
• Bunched sailing schedules and blank sailings
  

Unlike base freight rates, a PSS can change quickly,it may expand, shrink, or be withdrawn entirely based on market conditions. And because Maersk is a global market leader, its PSS often sets the tone for pricing behavior across the entire Asia–Europe trade lane.

Which Shipments Are Affected?

Origins Covered

• Mainland China (incl. Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan)
• Japan
• South Korea
• Brunei
• Multiple Southeast Asian origins
  

Destinations

• Northern Europe
• Mediterranean ports
  

Scope

• All container types, including dry, high cube, reefer, and special equipment
  

Timing

Cargo with cargo-ready, gate-in, or onboard dates on/after Nov 12, 2025, will typically be subject to the PSS.

Impact on Cross-Border E-Commerce & B2B Sellers

1. Margin & Unit Economics

Even a modest PSS can hit low-price SKUs.
If your (COGS + freight) already makes up 30–35% of your ASP, you’ll need to remodel margins for the surcharge window.

2. Replenishment Timing

For Amazon EU, Shopify, and wholesale shipments:

• Bring restocks forward to beat the PSS window
• Split shipments to hedge risk (e.g., partial early, partial post-PSS)
  

3. Mode & Routing Adjustments

Options to soften impact:

• Air–Sea or Rail–Sea hybrids for time-critical SKUs
• LCL consolidation if FCL capacity is costly
• Considering Mediterranean gateways if downstream trucking/rail is available
  

4. Pricing Strategy

Review:

• Marketplace price floors
• Free-shipping thresholds
• Seasonal promotion plans
  

Many brands apply a “logistics seasonality” clause during peak periods to protect contribution margin.

5. Contract vs. Spot Exposure

• Contracted shippers: check whether PSS is a pass-through fee
• Spot shippers: expect full exposure
  

6. Gateway Flexibility

Choosing alternative ports,when viable,can shift landed costs.

Actions to Take This Week

1. Secure Capacity Early

Submit bookings with complete and accurate documents (HS codes, weights, dimensions, commodity descriptions).
Incomplete files are the first to roll during peak.

2. Advance Cargo-Ready Dates

If possible, gate-in before Nov 12 to avoid the first PSS wave.

3. Optimize Cartonization & CBM

Small adjustments to packaging can improve utilization and offset part of the surcharge.

4. Review Incoterms

• If you sell FOB, notify buyers of the upcoming PSS.
• If you’re using DDP into the EU, re-quote with explicit PSS assumptions.
  

5. Scenario Planning

Model:

• Best case – short PSS window
• Likely case – 4–6 week impact
• Worst case – extended or widened surcharge
  

Link scenarios to pricing and channel-mix decisions.

How This Affects Peak-Season E-Commerce Calendars

Amazon EU / Peak Gifting Period

For Q4 and early Q1 demand:

• Hedge with multiple smaller sailings
• Avoid relying on a single container for Black Friday/Christmas inventory
  

Reverse Logistics & Returns

Returns spike in Q4:

• Build extra buffer into FBA/3PL SLAs
• Expect tighter inbound and outbound appointment windows
  

Compliance & Documentation: Don’t Get Caught in a Hold

Temperature-Sensitive or Hazardous SKUs

Face more space constraints during peak weeks.

Battery-Based Products

(Laptops, power banks, e-scooters) often require specialized containers and advance booking.

EU Import Readiness

Ensure:

• EORI/VAT
• Technical files
• CE/UKCA compliance
• Accurate HS codes
  

are all audit-ready. A customs hold during PSS periods is significantly more expensive.

What If Rates Change Again?

PSS is designed to move with the market.
Carriers may modify it with little notice depending on:

• Schedule reliability
• Port congestion
• Equipment balance
• Vessel space availability
  

Best practice:
Re-validate PSS and GRI updates weekly during Q4–Q1.

How AFL Helps You Navigate Asia–Europe Rate Spikes

As rates tighten and surcharges rise, Alpha Freight Lines helps shippers stay stable with:

 FCL & LCL comparisons with updated PSS data

Real-time rate matrices aligned with Maersk, MSC, CMA, COSCO, and Evergreen pricing.

 Space protection & priority allocations

Our partnerships help secure equipment and vessel space during crunch periods.

 Alternative routing options

Hybrid Air–Sea, Rail–Sea, or Mediterranean gateway solutions to protect delivery windows.

 Transparent DDP quotes for Amazon FBA & EU 3PLs

No hidden fees , pricing reflects actual PSS movement so you can protect margins.

 Dedicated logistics management

Hands-on monitoring, proactive updates, and fast problem resolution throughout peak season.

Share your product links, HS codes, carton specs, pickup location, and EU destination, and we’ll build a custom Asia–Europe scenario plan aligned with your budget, timeline, and replenishment needs.

Conclusion

Maersk’s Peak Season Surcharge effective Nov 12, 2025, adds a new cost layer to Asia–Europe shipping.
Rather than treat it as a disruption, view it as a strategic planning signal: lock in capacity, refine your logistics math, and adjust your SKUs and pricing accordingly.

With the right preparation,and the right logistics partner,you can move through peak season with stable delivery timelines and strong contribution margins.