On a Long Beach drayage invoice, two separate port programs may appear: the Traffic Mitigation Fee (TMF) and the Clean Truck Fund (CTF) rate. They are not assessed on every move, and they do not always have the same payer or exemptions. Check the container, truck eligibility, terminal record, and billing agreement before treating either line as correct.
TMF applies to nonexempt loaded import and export cargo
The TMF helps fund extended night and weekend gate hours at the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. Under the WCMTOA fee schedule, effective August 1, 2026, the fee is $40.63 for a 20-foot container and $81.26 for all other container sizes.
The fee applies to import or export cargo entering or leaving a participating terminal. The schedule exempts empty containers, empty chassis, cargo that transits the Alameda Corridor and is subject to an Alameda Corridor Transportation Authority fee, and transshipment cargo. The PierPass 2026 notice also lists bobtail trucks as exempt.
TMF is not a discount for using an off-peak gate. Since PierPass 2.0 began, the fee has been flat across day and night shifts. Appointment systems manage gate flow, while the fee helps offset the cost of extended gate hours. Choosing a night appointment does not, by itself, remove the TMF.
The CTF rate has different truck exemptions and payment rules
The Clean Truck Fund rate supports cleaner drayage equipment and related port programs. As of October 2026, the published rate is $10 per TEU for loaded containers, or $20 for a container longer than 20 feet.
The CTF is not charged on every truck move. Zero-emission trucks are exempt. Limited exemptions also apply to qualifying low-NOx trucks, but dates and eligibility rules differ between the Port of Los Angeles and the Port of Long Beach. A truck’s status must be checked against the applicable port rules. The Port of Los Angeles CTF guidance and the San Pedro Bay Ports fact sheet explain the rate and exemptions.
The payer also differs from a simple carrier-pass-through story. Port guidance assigns CTF payment to the beneficial cargo owner or its authorized agent through PortCheck. The Port of Los Angeles says truck drivers may not be charged the CTF rate. If a CTF line appears on your invoice, compare it with your written agreement and ask for the PortCheck or terminal record that supports it.
Check the two fees separately
| Fee | Published amount | What to verify |
|---|---|---|
| TMF | $40.63 per 20-foot container; $81.26 for other sizes | Loaded import or export move, participating terminal, and TMF exemption |
| CTF | $10 per TEU; $20 for containers longer than 20 feet | Loaded container, truck status, port-specific exemption, and PortCheck record |
Rates checked October 16, 2026. Sources: WCMTOA and the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. These are port-program charges, not Precision’s drayage rate.
For a 20-foot loaded container that is liable for both programs, the published amounts add to $50.63: $40.63 TMF plus $10 CTF. For a container longer than 20 feet, they add to $101.26: $81.26 TMF plus $20 CTF. This illustration assumes neither fee is exempt. It is not a drayage quote, and the two fees may be paid through separate records or arrangements.
The total excludes the carrier’s transportation charge and any other accessorials under your written agreement. Keep port fees separate from line items such as chassis use, waiting time, storage, or a carrier service charge. Each has a different source and should be explained separately.
Match the invoice to the move and its records
Start with the container number, port, terminal, move date, and container size. Then check whether the move was loaded or empty and whether a listed exemption applies.
For TMF, compare the size-based amount with the current WCMTOA schedule and confirm the terminal move. The schedule says import TMF is due before a container leaves the terminal unless other arrangements are made. It also assigns liability to defined users. That does not mean every carrier uses the same billing arrangement. Review your contract and request the terminal payment record if the line is unclear.
For CTF, ask which truck handled the move and whether the port system recognized an exemption. The beneficial cargo owner or authorized agent handles CTF payment through PortCheck. If a provider bills the amount to you, ask for the supporting record and compare it with the applicable rate and written billing terms.
A line labeled “PierPass” does not show by itself whether the amount is TMF, CTF, both, or a separate service charge. Ask for each port fee to be itemized by container and move date. The ports’ CTF fact sheet says payers are not charged an additional port collection fee on top of the published CTF rate. If a provider lists another amount, ask whether it is a separate contractual service charge and where it appears in your rate confirmation.
Keep the invoice, payment confirmation, terminal move record, and any exemption decision together. They help you compare a later correction with the original move. If you also see demurrage, detention, or chassis per diem, use our guide to demurrage, detention and per diem to identify which clock applies. For gate details, see the Port of Long Beach terminal guide. Shippers arranging a move can review our Long Beach drayage service.
Frequently asked questions
What are PierPass fees on a drayage invoice?
PierPass is often used as shorthand for two separate port-program charges: the Traffic Mitigation Fee and the Clean Truck Fund rate. They have different purposes, rates, payer rules, and exemptions. Neither should be assumed to apply to every move. Check the container, terminal, truck eligibility, and payment record before accepting a line item.
How much is the Traffic Mitigation Fee in Long Beach?
As of August 1, 2026, the TMF is $40.63 for a 20-foot container and $81.26 for all other container sizes. It applies to nonexempt import and export cargo entering or leaving a participating terminal. Empty containers, empty chassis, eligible Alameda Corridor cargo, and transshipment cargo are exempt under the published schedule.
Is the Clean Truck Fund rate the same as the TMF?
No. The TMF helps offset extended terminal gate costs and is charged by container size. The CTF rate supports cleaner drayage equipment and is charged on eligible loaded containers. Its published rate is $10 per TEU, or $20 for containers longer than 20 feet. Truck-based exemptions apply to the CTF and vary by port.
Who pays the Clean Truck Fund rate?
The beneficial cargo owner or its authorized agent pays the CTF rate through PortCheck. Port guidance says truck drivers may not be charged this rate. If a CTF amount appears on a carrier invoice, compare the charge with your written billing terms and request the PortCheck record and the truck’s exemption status.
Can I avoid the TMF by picking up at night?
No. PierPass 2.0 replaced the earlier peak-hour incentive model with a flat TMF across day and night shifts. A night appointment alone does not remove the fee. Published exemptions depend on the container and cargo move, not the time of the appointment.
If a PierPass line does not match the move or its records, ask the billing party to identify the fee, container, rate, and any exemption decision in writing. For a move through Long Beach, you can request a drayage quote.
