It’s not because carriers randomly increase prices. The fourth quarter is simply the “golden season of shipping.” Purchase orders surge, container demand rises sharply, and vessel space fills up extremely fast.
And this is also when one extra fee inevitably appears: Peak Season Surcharge (PSS) — a special surcharge imposed during high-demand seasons, especially before New Year holidays, Chinese New Year, and major shopping festivals.
The year 2025 will be no exception. Many trade lanes are expected to see significant increases, forcing exporters and importers to prepare accordingly.
Before discussing PSS, it’s important to understand ocean freight rates. These are the core costs that exporters and importers pay to shipping lines to move goods from one port to another.
Freight rates include multiple components, such as:
In simple terms:
Freight Rate = Total cost of ocean transportation And this cost can rise or fall very quickly, depending on global logistics conditions.
PSS = A surcharge imposed by carriers when demand exceeds normal levels.
It occurs due to:
Simply put, when demand exceeds vessel capacity, shippers temporarily face higher costs during peak periods.
Global logistics in 2025 will continue to face challenges such as:
Therefore, during September–December 2025, companies must plan carefully or risk sudden cost spikes.
During peak season, those who book first get priority.Late bookings often mean no space + higher PSS.
Each carrier applies PSS differently. Choosing the right route and carrier can significantly reduce transportation costs.
For example:
The last option is ideal for goods that must arrive quickly, such as perishables or seasonal items.
The more accurate your demand forecasting, the better you can plan bookings and container allocation.
During peak season, the key factor isn’t just the price — it’s whether your partner can secure vessel space in time. A weak support team can cause you to miss the most important sales period of the
Companies that plan early usually:
The core principles are:
We provide comprehensive logistics services, including:
Our team monitors freight rate movements and PSS in real time,allowing us to help you reduce costs and maintain on-time shipments even during peak season.
Reach out to the Siam Nistrans team we will help you plan ahead starting today.
Tel: 02-261-1080～5 (EXT 237)
Website: Siam Nistrans Co., Ltd.
Company Profile: บริษัท สยามนิสทรานส์ จำกัด
Email: TRANSPORTATION@th.nissin-asia.com
