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What if my Shipping Container Is Overweight?

What if my shipping container is overweight? This is a worry many in the shipping and trucking industry share. Not only do overweight containers risk fines, but they also carry a safety risk. In rough seas, overweight container stacks can collapse, injuring workers and damaging goods. 

Once the container is off the boat and loaded on a truck, the overweight container poses a new set of issues. Each state has a different maximum weight limit. To make it even more complicated, there are different weight allowances depending on the truck’s type and axles. Overweight containers can carry fines of prices varying from a few pennies per pound to over $100 per pound.

While these rules are annoying, they are not without reason. Heavier trucks create more damage to roads than average cars. The heavier the load, the more damage it will inflict over time. Weight limits are an attempt to slow the wearing down of public roads. It is also a matter of environmental protection. The heavier the vehicle, the less fuel efficient. The less fuel efficient, the more ozone-decaying gasses are released. 

On ships, overweight containers can collapse when traversing rough water. This can hurt workers and damaged merchandise. As such, staying within the weight limit is not just a matter of efficiency, but also a matter of safety. 

In this article, you will learn the answer to the question, “What if my shipping container is overweight?” You will learn about ocean container weight limits, what happens when your ocean container is overweight, the weight limits and overweight penalties in various states, and how to avoid an overweight container.

what is freight

Ocean Container Weight Limits

All containers must be weight certified to avoid safety hazards. According to amended guidelines passed for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) convention by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), all shippers need to provide a certified weight certificate showing gross weight. Gross weight is the total weight, of both the container and the items inside. If the ocean carrier does not receive the gross weight well in advance of loading, the ocean container will not be loaded. 

For the container to be weighed, shippers must use calibrated and certified equipment to complete the certified weight certificate. The shipper can either do this themselves or they can use an outside service as long as the scale meets requirements. As another option, shippers can weigh each item individually. Once you have all the individual weights, you then need to add them together, including the container.

Ocean container weight limits are put in place so containers can be stowed accordingly. This promotes safety for both those working on the ships and the materials that are being transported. 

You must also think of the drayage drivers. When they transport the container, they need to stay within highway weight limits as well. What if my shipping container is overweight on the roads, but not at sea? You will need to either remove weight at some point or you will pay fines. 

truck driver image

Shipping Container Weight

So, what if my shipping container is overweight? The penalty is different depending on the state. For example, in Indiana, the fine is $40, but in addition to that, you will need to pay court fees and may have your license revoked. In Texas the first time you weigh in overweight, it is a $150 fine.  With a second and third offense, you risk 60 days or 6 months in jail respectively. In New Jersey, not only will you be liable for an overweight truck, but so will your company. They will be responsible for any damages your overweight truck incurred on the roads.

It is also important to note that different states have different weight limits. For example, New Jersey allows single-axel trucks to weigh no more than 22,400 pounds over each axle and tandem axel trucks to weigh no more than 34,000 over each axle. They allow a gross weight of no more than 80,000. 

In Georgia, single-axle trucks are not allowed to weigh more than 20,340 pounds over each axle and tandem axle trucks are not allowed to exceed 34,000 pounds over each axle. They allow a gross weight of no more than 80,000 pounds as well. 

In Arizona, single-axle trucks are not allowed to weigh more than 20,000 pounds over each axle and tandem axle trucks are not allowed to exceed 34,000 pounds over each axle. They allow a gross weight of no more than 129,000 pounds. 

If you are traveling across states, you must plan your shipping container weight accordingly. ”What if my shipping container is overweight?” You will pay penalties even if you were underweight in one state, but not another.  If you are delivering a shipping container from Arizona to Georgia and load your truck to just under 129,000 pounds, you would be just fine in Arizona, but you would be 49,000 pounds overweight in Georgia. As most fines are handed out by the pound, you would receive a fine in the thousands. 

How Heavy Is a Shipping Container?

To answer the question, “What if my shipping container is overweight?” you need to be able to answer the question, “How heavy is a shipping container?” The weight of the empty shipping container is called the tare mass. Verifying the tare mass of your shipping container before loading the cargo is important. Generally, 20ft containers have a tare mass of around 5,000 pounds, and 40ft containers have a tare mass of around 8,000 pounds. This is included in your total weight. If your cargo is under the weight limit, but the shipping container weight causes you to go over, your shipping container is overweight and you will incur fines and penalties. The answer to the question, “What if my shipping container is overweight?” is simple. Plan accordingly, so that your container is not overweight. If by mistake it is overweight, you will pay the fine and hopefully not repeat the same mistake. 

loading ocean cargo

Heavy Weight Transport

Now that you can answer the question, “What if my shipping container is overweight?” you can explore more of what the trucking world has to offer. Although Heavy Weight Transport specializes in heavy and oversized drayage, they always make sure to stay within weight limits. If you are looking to work for a trucking company, consider applying with Heavy Weight Transport. We are always looking for responsible drivers looking to help the American supply chain. 

If you are a company looking to transport ocean container loads weighing up to 64,000 pounds, consider using Heavy Weight Transport. Our ability to haul large loads can help shippers save money by providing cross-docking near ports and reduced ocean container freight charges. We also offer long and short-term storage for select commodities. If you are interested in any of our services, please reach out. We are happy to answer any questions.

SHIP WITH HEAVY, SAVE MORE MONEY

SHIP WITH HEAVY, SAVE MORE MONEY