The US Trade Representative (USTR) has requested a further two-month suspension of planned port fees on China-linked vessels, pushing implementation from November 9 to January 9 next year to allow more time for negotiations between Washington and Beijing. The move gives Chinese exporters shipping to the US a short-term window of certainty.
What Happened
According to foreign media reports, the USTR proposed in late October to extend the suspension of punitive port charges targeting China's maritime, logistics and shipbuilding sectors through January 9. The previous suspension was set to expire on November 9.
The USTR said the US continues to engage with China with the goal of eliminating the practices at issue in the investigation, and therefore proposed a further two-month suspension. It also invited comments from interested parties, with a deadline at the end of that week.
Under the measures, non-Chinese companies operating Chinese-built vessels calling at US ports would face charges of $50 per net tonne, while Chinese companies would pay $18 per net tonne or $120 per container discharged, whichever is higher. That is a significant reduction from the earlier proposal of $1 million per US port call or $1,000 per net tonne.
Background
The fees stem from a US investigation into China's maritime, logistics and shipbuilding industries, aimed at countering the competitive advantages of Chinese sectors. The initial proposal was extremely high but was later scaled down to the levels above, though it would still impose extra costs on operators using Chinese-built vessels. The latest delay reflects a desire on both sides to avoid immediate implementation while talks continue.
Impact on Shippers
On transit times, the suspension means carriers do not need to pass on new costs to rates in the near term, reducing the risk of sudden schedule or port-call adjustments on US routes and improving stability for bookings and trucking connections. On costs, if the fees eventually take effect, carriers using Chinese-built vessels may pass part of the charges into rates or surcharges, potentially pushing up landed costs for ocean-parcel, ocean-truck and FBA first-mile shipments. On customs clearance, the fees are port-level charges and do not directly change declaration requirements, but shippers should watch for new surcharge items from carriers and check billing details carefully.
Recommendations
Shippers are advised to use the current suspension window to plan year-end and early-2027 inventory and shipments, confirm with their freight forwarders the build origin of vessels on booked routes and any potential surcharges, lock in rates for cost-sensitive cargo where possible, and clarify surcharge responsibility in contracts. Continue to monitor USTR announcements, subject to the latest official notices.