What has changed
In a notice in the Federal Register (the US government's official gazette), USTR proposes to extend once more the suspension of port fees on China-linked vessels. According to The Loadstar and gCaptain, the pause would run to 9 January 2027. The aim is to give Washington and Beijing more time to negotiate. The pause covers Chinese vessels and some car carriers.
Key dates
- The current pause runs until 9 November 2026.
- The proposed new end date is 9 January 2027.
- The notice was published on 26 October 2026; comments are accepted until the end of this week.
- This is a proposal, not a final decision. The existing deadline applies until a final act is issued.
What it means in money terms
While the fees are suspended, carriers do not build them into their rates. If the pause is extended, the risk of a freight surcharge on these routes is pushed back by about two months. We do not calculate the fee amounts or any possible surcharge here: the rate figures in the sources have not been verified, so check the text of the notice and your carrier's tariffs.
Who is affected
Importers shipping from China to the US on vessels owned or operated by Chinese companies, and on car carriers in the affected category. If your freight forwarder books space on such vessels, ask how the carrier is factoring the risk of fees into its rates.
What importers should do now
- Open the USTR notice in the Federal Register and check which vessels and dates it specifies.
- Ask your forwarder or carrier whether a surcharge is possible if the fees return, and how it would be reflected in your contract.
- For supply contracts covering shipments after 9 January 2027, include a clause allowing freight to be revisited if the fees are introduced.
- If you want to influence the decision, file a comment by the end of the week (through a trade association or on your own).
- Watch for the final notice before 9 November: it will determine what applies next.
Reference information as of 27 October 2026. The dates (9 November and 9 January) and the vessel categories are taken from reports by The Loadstar and gCaptain and from your brief; we did not open the Federal Register notice itself or check the comment deadline. Before signing a contract, check the text of the USTR notice, the final decision and your freight terms with your carrier or forwarder.