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US proposes two more months without China-linked ship port fees

The US Trade Representative proposed extending the suspension of China-linked ship port fees through January 9, 2027, giving Washington and Beijing more time for negotiations. The existing pause expires on November 9. The proposal covers relevant maritime fees and related duties, with public comments due on October 30. The extension has not been finalised.

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A loaded cargo ship is secured by bow lines to a port quay, with blue gantry cranes and stacked containers behind.

USTR proposes extending the suspension to January

The Office of the US Trade Representative proposed keeping China-linked maritime measures suspended for another two months, through January 9, 2027. The October 23 request for comments seeks more time for negotiations over China’s maritime, logistics and shipbuilding policies.[1], [2]

The existing suspension began on November 10, 2025, and expires at the end of November 9. The new proposal covers the period from November 10 through January 9, 2027. The extension has not been finalised.[1]

Chinese-built vessels and related duties are covered

The fees concern Chinese-owned or operated vessels, Chinese-built ships and certain foreign-built vehicle carriers. Under the proposal, no liability would accrue for the relevant maritime transport fees during the extra period. Duties concerning ship-to-shore cranes and cargo-handling equipment would also remain suspended. The measures originated in a Section 301 trade investigation into China’s industrial policies.[1]

Public comments are due on October 30

Washington began collecting the fees in October 2025 before suspending them under a trade understanding between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping. USTR says continued talks seek the elimination of the Chinese practices addressed in its investigation. The notice, released ahead of its scheduled October 26 Federal Register publication, invites written comments by October 30 under docket USTR-2026-0694.[1]

For more information on this topic, you can read the related columns.

References

  1. News sourcegCaptainUS proposes extending pause on China-linked ship port fees↩1↩2↩3↩4
  2. News sourceKPMGUS seeks comments on further suspension of China maritime measures↩
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