March 26th, 2026 – The Port of Houston is tightening rules on how long refrigerated import containers can remain at its marine terminals, responding to a pattern of shippers leaving reefer cargo beyond the previously allowed grace period.
To address this, the Port Houston Authority’s Board of Commissioners approved a tariff adjustment that reduces free time for refrigerated containers from seven days to four. This change reflects a broader effort to manage terminal space more efficiently as refrigerated imports, though still a smaller segment overall, are increasing at a faster pace than dry cargo volumes.
The updated policy will take effect May 1st. However, shippers will still be granted up to three additional days of free time if their containers are held for inspection by U.S. Customs and Border Protection or the Department of Agriculture.
According to Chief Port Operations Officer Ryan Mariacher, the adjustment is intended to bring Houston in line with how other ports handle refrigerated cargo. He emphasized that the goal is to support shippers who need faster movement of temperature-sensitive goods, reinforcing the port’s role as a transit hub rather than a long-term storage location.
While specific dwell times for refrigerated containers were not disclosed, Mariacher had previously noted in June 2025—when higher demurrage rates were introduced—that some shipments were remaining at the port for a week or longer.
Refrigerated imports through Houston have been gaining momentum since 2024, particularly after the port received USDA approval to accept cold-treated cargo without requiring inspection. In 2025, the port handled 83,354 TEUs of reefer containers, marking a 9.7% increase year over year, compared to a more modest 1.5% rise in total imports, which reached 1.93 million TEUs.
Much of this growth is tied to north-south trade lanes. Guatemala, the second-largest source of refrigerated imports after China, recorded a 9% increase to 10,913 TEUs in 2025, driven largely by banana shipments. Meanwhile, elevated U.S. beef prices contributed to a surge in meat imports. Brazil’s refrigerated exports to Houston jumped 71% to 8,185 TEUs, while Colombia saw a 56% increase, reaching 6,249 TEUs, with both countries primarily shipping meat and animal protein products.
