Further Suspension of China Ship Fees, Crane Tariffs Considered

The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative is accepting comments through Oct. 30 on a proposal to extend for two months the suspension of fees on Chinese vessels and higher tariffs on imports of Chinese port equipment.

Earlier this year USTR suspended through 11:59 p.m. EST on Nov. 9, 2026 (1) the fees imposed on Chinese-owned or -operated vessels and Chinese-built vessels, which had been in effect since Oct. 14, and (2) the imposition of 100 percent tariffs on imports of certain ship-to-shore cranes and cargo handling equipment from China.

These measures were announced following a determination by USTR that China’s targeting of the maritime, logistics, and shipbuilding sectors for dominance is unreasonable and burdens or restricts U.S. commerce and is therefore actionable under the Section 301 trade law.