Maersk's US Fuel Surcharge Increase: Managing Freight Quotes with Starboard
If you're quoting ocean freight with inland trucking included, here's something you need to be aware of.
Maersk recently announced that the US inland fuel surcharge will rise from $140 to $215 per container, starting November 1, 2026. The update will be effective for eligible shipments where Maersk is arranging US inland trucking. The new surcharge rate will apply to shipments with a price calculation date starting November 1, 2026. Find more details in Maersk's full announcement here.
That's an extra $75 per each affected container. If you handle tens or hundreds of containers per month, you'll get the total amount of the increase rather quickly.
Why it matters for freight forwarders
Managing surcharges can be challenging, especially because rates are always changing and quotes stay open for several days or even weeks. Additionally, a price which may have been acceptable when originally quoted to a client can become outdated after some time.
The risk is submitting a quote for an amount that is too low or providing a customer with a price without clarifying which charges are included.
4 things your team needs to do before November 1
1. Find out which shipments are affected
Check shipments where Maersk handles US inland trucking. Keep in mind that it doesn't necessarily mean that the increase will affect every Maersk shipment. Make sure you review the service and price calculation date before adjusting the rates.
2. Review open quotes
If your team provided a quote for shipment that would be priced on or after November 1, check whether the new surcharge should be included.
For instance, a surcharge of $75 across 50 shipments affected by the increase amounts to $3,750. If not accounted for in the pricing you're offering, it will reduce your profit margins.
3. Be clear with your customers
You don't want your customers surprised by additional fees following the acceptance of a quote. Let them know upfront if inland trucking services and fuel charges are covered and when carrier fees may be subject to change.
It's also important to review how long your quotes remain valid. A clear validity period helps your team know when an older price needs to be checked again.
4. Build rate checking into your quoting process
Rate checking manually works when you only have a few shipments to manage. With multiple carriers, trade lanes, and customer requirements, it becomes increasingly difficult.
Having a standardized process for rate checking, considering all surcharges, and reviewing quote validity can help you avoid mistakes in pricing. It will also save you from reviewing your older quotes trying to figure out what changed.
Surcharges can change at any time, and not being aware of that can lead to quoting the wrong price. Starboard has AI agents that monitor surcharges live and keep rates updated, making the process simple for freight forwarders to quote.
Make quoting easier to manage
The Maersk increase is one example of how fast prices for freight can fluctuate. The challenging part isn't just finding the rate. It involves gathering all the necessary information, taking into account all fees, and sending the quote before the client takes their business elsewhere.
Starboard allows freight forwarders to find rates and create quotes much quicker with reduced manual work.
Want to learn more? Explore Starboard's quoting tool and see how your team can spend less time on building quotes.