USTR proposes extending China ship port fee suspension to January

USTR has proposed extending its suspension of Section 301 port fees on China-linked vessels by two months, from November 10, 2026 through January 9, 2027, while talks with Beijing continue.

Why it matters: Without an extension the fees on Chinese-owned, Chinese-operated and Chinese-built vessels, and on certain foreign-built vehicle carriers, would return on November 10, weeks before the peak holiday shipping period ends.

Data as of Federal Register public inspection notice 2026-21755, scheduled for publication October 26, 2026, verified on federalregister.gov on October 23, 2026; the extension dates, comment deadline and docket number are as reported by gCaptain on October 23, 2026, from the notice text. The extension is proposed, not final. Developing item.

USTR is proposing to extend its suspension of the Section 301 port fees on China-linked vessels for another two months. A Federal Register notice scheduled for publication on October 26 would keep the fees suspended from November 10, 2026 through January 9, 2027; the current one-year suspension expires on November 9.

During the extension, carriers would incur no liability under Annexes I, II and III of the Section 301 action, which cover Chinese-owned, Chinese-operated and Chinese-built vessels and certain foreign-built vehicle carriers, and the pause on certain duties for ship-to-shore cranes and cargo handling equipment would also continue. USTR said the United States is continuing to engage with China, and public comments on the proposal are due by 5 p.m. Eastern on October 30 under docket USTR-2026-0694.

USTR proposes extending China ship port fee suspension to January

Sources