Drayage charge implemented in Long Beach California ports

A $35 charge on every loaded TEU (twenty foot equivalent) leaving or entering the ports in Long Beach California will be imposed beginning June 1, 2008. This will increase the cost to ship products in and out of the ports. Many shipping companies have voiced their concerns with the drayage charge imposed, but there is little action that they can do. 

The tax will be in effect through 2012, when there is an emissions standard on all trucks in the ports. The money received from this charge will be used “to finance the replacement and retrofit of the drayage fleet.” This only applies to trucks, not rail transportation.