1. Container weight limit
As shown in the picture, there is unique information printed on each container. The maximum weight limit is indicated on the opening door of each container. For example, for a container with a tare weight of 3700kgs, the MAX GROSS weight limit marked below it is 28800KGS. This means that the container with goods cannot exceed this weight limit.
This is the maximum strength that the container can withstand, and if the cargo exceeds this limit, it may cause damage to the container, such as deformation, falling of the bottom plate, bending of the top beam, etc. All losses incurred as a result will be borne by the cargo owner. Most professional container terminals in China have installed automated weighing scales, so if the container is overloaded, the terminal will refuse to accept it.If the goods are indeed overweight and cannot be divided, you can choose an overweight container. This will increase the selection fee. Generally, the terminal/yard will stack the ship company's ordinary dry containers together. If you want to choose a special overloaded container (such as the 20ft HCPW), the terminal/yard must search one by one. The selection fee generated is generally the same as the designated container fee.
2. Port weight limit
After the container ship docks at the port, it usually needs to be loaded and unloaded by the port crane, and then it is dragged to the container yard by a truck and lifted by a forklift. If the weight of the container exceeds the load capacity of the equipment, it will cause difficulties for the port and yard operations. Therefore, for some small ports with relatively backward equipment, the shipping company usually informs the weight limit of the port in advance and does not accept containers that exceed this limit.
3. Route weight limit
Different routes have different cargo loading and unloading ports, types of goods exported, and operation load capacity of equipment at the destination port. Therefore, different routes have different weight limits for different types of containers.
What happens if it is overweight?
1. Shipping company
Negotiate with the shipowner to pay the overweight fee, and handle it as usual for other procedures.
2. Port weight limit
If overweight is found upon entry to the port, negotiate with the port and pay the overweight fee plus handling fee or re-pack the cargo.
3. Destination port
Usually, if the weight is exceeded within a certain range at the destination port, fines can solve the issue; if the weight is severely exceeded and the hoisting cranes along the route cannot bear it, it can only be unloaded at a nearby port or returned to the origin.