China and US impose symmetrical port fees

Earlier this week in the USA, new USTR measures imposed fees on Chinese-owned or operated vessels calling at the USA, and on non-Chinese operators using Chinese-built ships.

With a large portfolio of ocean freight forwarding and logistics services, the U-Freight Group is keeping a watchful eye on how any of the container shipping lines we use are passing on these expenses.

China has also imposed its own levies on US ships calling at Chinese gateways, describing the move as a means to safeguard its shipping industry from discriminatory measures. The fees apply to US-owned, operated, built or flagged vessels – but not those that have been built in China.

Rising and easing tensions between the world’s two largest economies have been a recurring feature of the trading environment this year. 

Still, the timing of the latest announcements appears tactical, with both Trump and Xi Jinping likely trying to strengthen their bargaining positions ahead of trade talks scheduled for later this month.
 
U-Freight’s customers can be certain that we are in discussions with the container shipping lines with the aim of minimising exposure to rate increases.

For more information about our global ocean freight container services, please visit the relevant pages of this website, or contact your local office, which can be seen here: https://ufreight.com/locations