The Alameda Corridor Surcharge (ACS) is a fee applied to containerized cargo moving through the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach in California. It covers the cost of using the Alameda Corridor, a 20-mile freight rail expressway that connects these two major seaports to the transcontinental rail network near downtown Los Angeles.
The Alameda Corridor was built to streamline cargo movement from the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach—two of the busiest gateways for imports from Asia, especially China—to inland distribution hubs across North America.
Before the corridor was built, trains had to use multiple street-level crossings, creating congestion and inefficiency. The Alameda Corridor consolidated rail lines into a high-capacity, grade-separated route, reducing transit time and emissions.
To fund the construction and maintenance of this infrastructure, the Alameda Corridor Transportation Authority (ACTA) introduced a user fee known as the Alameda Corridor Surcharge.
Who Pays It:
The ACS is charged to rail carriers (and ultimately passed on to shippers or importers) for containers transported via the Alameda Corridor.
When It Applies:
The surcharge applies to import and export containers that move by rail between the Ports of Los Angeles/Long Beach and inland rail yards (such as those in Los Angeles, Chicago, or Dallas).
Current Fee (Typical Range):
Around $25 to $35 per container (exact rates vary by rail carrier and container type).
Collection:
The surcharge is included as a line item on freight invoices under “ACS”, “Alameda Corridor Fee”, or “ACTA Surcharge.”
Part of Landed Cost
Importers need to account for ACS when calculating total inland transportation costs from the U.S. West Coast.
Mandatory for Rail Shipments
Any intermodal shipment that utilizes the Alameda Corridor automatically incurs the fee—there’s no alternative rail route without it.
Infrastructure Sustainability
The surcharge funds corridor maintenance and debt repayment, ensuring long-term operational efficiency for port-to-rail transport.
Importers/Exporters: Particularly those moving containers via Los Angeles or Long Beach to inland destinations.
Freight Forwarders and NVOCCs: Must include ACS in rate quotations for accurate pricing.
Rail Carriers (BNSF, Union Pacific): They collect and remit the fees to the Alameda Corridor Transportation Authority.
The Alameda Corridor Surcharge (ACS) is a mandatory infrastructure fee that supports one of the most critical freight routes in the U.S. supply chain. While it adds a modest cost per container, it enables faster, safer, and more sustainable cargo movement between West Coast ports and the U.S. interior—making it an essential part of international logistics planning.
What Are the Key Considerations for Air Freight Cargo?May 30, 2025With the increasing frequency of global trade, air freight cargo has become one of the preferred methods for cross-border logistics due to its speed, efficiency, and safety. However, the air freight p...view
Shipping from China to ItalyJuly 1, 2025When it comes to international freight from Asia to Southern Europe, China to Italy is a vital trade route—particularly for importers in sectors like fashion, furniture, electronics, and industrial c...view
What Is a Freight Hauler?November 24, 2025A freight hauler is a company or individual responsible for transporting goods from one location to another using commercial vehicles such as trucks, trains, ships, or aircraft. In simple terms, a fre...view
What Is Wharfage?November 24, 2025What Is Wharfage?Wharfage is a fee charged by a port authority for the use of a wharf, pier, or terminal to load, unload, or move cargo across port facilities. It applies to both imports and exports, ...view
English 
português 
Call us on: 
Email Us: 
International Mayors Exchange Center, No. 55 Shizhou Middle Rd, Nanshan District, Shenzhen Guangdong China 
