The US Trade Representative (USTR) has suspended the implementation of port service fees on Chinese vessels for two months, pushing the effective date to January 9, 2027, and will continue accepting public comments during the extended window. The move comes as the two sides remain in talks over broader trade issues and directly affects carriers and shippers calling at US ports.
What Happened
According to foreign media reports, the fees were originally scheduled to take effect on November 10, 2026, and are now deferred by two months; absent a new arrangement, they will apply from January 9, 2027. The public comment period ran through October 30.
During the extension, no party will accrue liability for, or be required to pay, the transport service fees or associated product duties, according to the report, meaning no retroactive burden arises in the interim.
The fee proposal was first published in the Federal Register in February 2025, envisaging service fees of up to $1.5 million per US port call for vessels built in China and up to $1 million per call for China-based operators. The action follows a Section 301 investigation under the Trade Act of 1974.
Background
In October 2025, the US targeted ships owned, operated or built in China, prompting China to impose similar charges on US-linked vessels entering Chinese ports. The report notes that in November 2025 the two countries agreed to suspend tit-for-tat maritime charges for one year as part of a broader trade agreement.
Liquid bulk brokers are taking a wait-and-see approach before making firm decisions. Most liquid tankers are built in China, Japan and South Korea, and action affecting container ships could also touch chemicals markets, since polymers such as polyethylene and polypropylene move in containers, alongside liquid chemicals in isotanks.
Impact on Shippers
On transit times, the suspension means vessels calling at US ports between November and early January will not face additional procedures tied to the fee, keeping schedules relatively stable in the near term. Around the January 9 date, however, carriers and ports may reassess call plans, so shippers should watch for last-minute changes to space and cut-off times.
On cost, if the fees take effect, per-call charges could be passed through as surcharges, with routes served by China-built tonnage most directly exposed. On customs clearance, the report indicates no payment obligation for associated product duties during the suspension, but documentation and duty calculations may become more complex once the measure applies, so shippers should confirm treatment with their brokers in advance.
Recommendations
Shippers sending goods to the US should finalize early-January shipment plans by mid-December and keep alternative channels for routes dependent on China-built vessels. Confirm with forwarders whether quotes include potential port-related surcharges, and continue tracking the USTR comment process and formal effective-date announcements, subject to the latest official notices.