Reefer Container & Out-of-Gauge Cargo: Special Handling Surcharges Guide

Shipping standard containers is complex enough, but reefer (refrigerated) containers and out-of-gauge (OOG) cargo introduce additional challenges and costs. This guide covers everything you need to know about special handling surcharges when shipping from China.

Reefer Containers: Temperature-Controlled Shipping

Reefer containers are specialized shipping containers with temperature control capabilities. They're essential for perishable goods but come with significant additional costs.

What Can Be Shipped in Reefer Containers?

• Frozen foods: Seafood, meat, processed foods (-18°C to -25°C)
• Fresh produce: Fruits, vegetables, flowers (0°C to 15°C)
• Pharmaceuticals: Vaccines, medications, medical supplies
• Chemicals: Temperature-sensitive industrial products
• Cosmetics: Temperature-sensitive beauty products

Reefer Container Types

• Standard Reefer (RF): -25°C to +25°C range
• Deep Freeze: Below -25°C for frozen seafood/meat
• Controlled Atmosphere (CA): Adjusts oxygen/CO2 for produce
• Heated: Maintains minimum temperature for non-frozen goods

Reefer Container Surcharges

Reefer shipping involves multiple additional charges:

Reefer Surcharge Breakdown

Surcharge	Amount	Notes
Reefer Equipment Charge	$150–$400/container	Per diem for specialized container
Power Consumption	$50–$150/container	Electrical power during transport
Pre-Cooling	$30–$100/container	Cooling cargo before loading
Monitoring/Logging	$25–$75/shipment	Temperature data logging
CFS Handling (reefer)	$50–$150/cbm	For LCL reefer cargo
Plug-in/Disconnection	$25–$50/container	At origin and destination

Reefer vs Dry Container Cost Comparison

• 20ft Reefer: $3,500–$5,500 (vs. $2,000–$3,500 dry)
• 40ft Reefer: $5,000–$8,000 (vs. $3,000–$5,000 dry)
• Reefer adds approximately 60–80% to container cost

Out-of-Gauge (OOG) Cargo

Out-of-gauge cargo exceeds the dimensions of standard containers. This includes:

OOG Cargo Examples

• Oversized machinery: Industrial equipment, generators
• Vehicles: Cars, trucks, construction equipment
• Boats and yachts: Shipped in open-top or flat-rack containers
• Large structures: Prefabricated buildings, steel beams
• Project cargo: Wind turbine parts, large components

Standard Container Dimensions vs OOG

Container Type	Max Length	Max Width	Max Height
20ft Standard	5.9m	2.35m	2.39m
40ft Standard	12.03m	2.35m	2.39m
40ft High Cube	12.03m	2.35m	2.70m
Flat Rack	Up to 13.5m	Up to 2.5m	No limit (if secured)

Out-of-Gauge Surcharges

OOG cargo requires specialized equipment and handling:

OOG Surcharge Breakdown

• Flat Rack/Rack Charge: $200–$600 per container
• Open-Top Container: $150–$500 per container
• OOG Handling Fee: $100–$300 per shipment
• Crane/Special Equipment: $200–$800 per operation
• securing/Lashing: $100–$400 per container
• Permits (oversize): $50–$500 depending on route

Flat Rack vs Open-Top Containers

Flat Rack Containers

• No side walls or roof
• Ideal for heavy, wide, or tall cargo
• Cargo can overhang container
• Used for: Vehicles, machinery, large crates

Open-Top Containers

• No roof but has side walls
• Cargo loaded from above (crane)
• Good for height-restricted cargo
• Used for: Machinery, marble blocks, boats

LCL Reefer and OOG Options

Can you ship reefer or OOG cargo via LCL?

LCL Limitations

• LCL Reefer: Possible but expensive. CFS must have reefer capability
• LCL OOG: Generally not possible — needs specialized equipment
• Consolidated Reefer: Less common, higher risk for mixed cargo

Minimum Requirements for OOG

• Volume exceeding 40 CBM typically required
• Minimum weight considerations
• Special port/terminal handling capabilities

Route Considerations for Special Cargo

Not all ports handle reefer and OOG cargo equally:

China Origin Ports

• Shanghai: Excellent reefer and OOG facilities
• Shenzhen/Yantian: Good reefer, moderate OOG
• Qingdao: Strong for heavy machinery OOG
• Ningbo: Good general facilities

US Destination Ports

• Los Angeles/Long Beach: Best reefer and OOG capabilities
• Houston: Excellent for project cargo and OOG
• Savannah: Growing reefer capacity
• Seattle/Tacoma: Good for Asia routes

Key Takeaways

• Reefer containers add $1,500–$3,000 to shipping costs vs dry
• OOG surcharges include flat rack, crane, and permits
• LCL options for reefer are limited and expensive
• OOG cargo requires specialized equipment and handling
• Choose ports with appropriate capabilities for your cargo
• Budget 60–80% more for reefer vs standard shipping