A PierPass fee refers to the Traffic Mitigation Fee (TMF) associated with the PierPASS OffPeak 2.0 program at the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. The program supports extended terminal gate operations and uses an appointment-based system; the fee is not limited to daytime peak-hour moves. Its applicability depends on the program’s rules and exemptions; it does not apply to every container moving through the ports.
How it applies
Importers and exporters usually see the PierPass fee passed through by the ocean carrier, drayage provider, or other party arranging the port move. Because it is a port-specific charge, it may appear separately from ocean freight, chassis use, customs clearance, or inland transportation on a freight invoice. The responsible party is determined by the service contract and billing arrangement, not by a universal shipping rule.
In practice, the fee matters most for cargo that must be picked up or delivered by truck at the terminal. It can affect landed cost calculations, scheduling, and routing decisions, especially when a shipment moves through Southern California and timing at the gate is tight. Since port programs can change, shippers should verify whether the charge applies to their container and terminal under the current program rules before confirming transportation.