The U.S. port fees on Chinese-built and Chinese-operated ships were set to come back on November 10, 2026. On October 26, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) proposed keeping them switched off for two more months, through January 9, 2027. If you move ocean freight to or from the U.S., this decides whether a new cost lands on your shipments in the middle of peak season. Here is what is changing, what it means for your freight bill, and what to do this week.
The short version
- What: USTR proposes to extend the suspension of its Section 301 action on China's maritime, logistics, and shipbuilding sectors.
- New suspension period: 12:00 a.m. ET November 10, 2026, through 11:59 p.m. ET January 9, 2027.
- Today's suspension ends: 11:59 p.m. ET November 9, 2026. Without a final decision, the fees and duties would restart after that.
- Comments due: October 30, 2026, 5:00 p.m. ET, docket USTR-2026-0694.
- Status: It is a proposal, not a final decision yet.
What exactly would stay suspended
According to the Federal Register notice, during the suspension period no one would owe or build up liability for:
- Port service fees on vessels under Annexes I, II, and III of USTR's April 23, 2025 notice (as changed on October 16, 2025). These are the fees on ships owned or operated by Chinese companies, on Chinese-built ships, and on foreign-built vehicle carriers calling at U.S. ports.
- 100% additional duties under Annex V.A of the October 16, 2025 notice: ship-to-shore (STS) cranes, intermodal chassis, and chassis parts from China.
Nothing else in this notice changes. Other Section 301 tariffs on Chinese goods, the regular duty rates, and your entry requirements are not part of this proposal.
How we got here
USTR announced the maritime action in April 2025. After the U.S.-China trade deal announced on November 1, 2025, USTR suspended it for one year, starting November 10, 2025. USTR now says talks with China are continuing, and it wants two more months to negotiate. Note how short that is compared to the first one-year pause. The fees could come back in early 2027 depending on how talks go.
What it means for your freight costs
The port fees are charged to vessel operators, not to importers. But operators decide whether to pass costs to shippers through surcharges, and a fee charged per port call can show up on your invoice in different ways. As long as the suspension holds, there is no fee for carriers to pass on.
- Ocean imports and exports: If the suspension is finalized, shipments arriving through January 9 should not carry a Section 301 port fee charge. Watch for any surcharge a carrier adds "just in case" before the decision is final.
- Vehicle and Ro/Ro cargo: The foreign-built car carrier fee (Annex III) is also paused, which matters for anyone shipping vehicles or heavy equipment by Ro/Ro.
- Ports, terminals, and trucking: Importers of STS cranes, intermodal chassis, or chassis parts from China would keep avoiding the 100% duty during the pause.
- After January 9, 2027: Plan for both outcomes: another extension, or fees and duties coming back.
What to do now
- Comment by Thursday, October 30, 5:00 p.m. ET, if this affects you. Use docket USTR-2026-0694 on comments.ustr.gov. You do not need an account. A short comment on how the fees would hit your costs counts. Mark confidential pages "BUSINESS CONFIDENTIAL" and also upload a public version.
- Check your carrier invoices and rate notices. Ask your forwarder or carrier in writing whether any Section 301 port fee surcharge is planned for sailings after November 9, and how it would be credited if the suspension is finalized.
- Review your contracts. Look at your service contracts, NVOCC rate agreements, and sales terms (Incoterms) to see who pays new government surcharges. Fix gaps before January 9.
- Plan around January 9, 2027. For shipments arriving in early January, ask which vessel, where it was built, and who operates it. That may affect your options if the fees return.
- Equipment buyers: If you plan to import STS cranes, chassis, or chassis parts from China, check your entry dates against the suspension window and confirm classification first.
What to watch next
The comment period closes October 30, and the current suspension ends November 9. Watch the Federal Register for USTR's final decision. Updates are posted on USTR's Section 301 maritime page. I will update this post when the final decision is out.
Questions about your shipments?
DM CUSTOMS works from Miami, FL with importers, exporters, and forwarders at U.S. ports nationwide. You get fast service and dedicated attention: a direct line to a licensed customs broker who can review your entries, classification, and exposure to Section 301 charges.
Contact DM CUSTOMS or call (786) 444-9167