USTR Extends Its Pause on China Maritime Fees to January 10: How to Plan for What Comes Next

The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has kept China maritime fees on hold for two more months by extending its suspension of the Section 301 actions on China’s maritime, logistics, and shipbuilding sectors. The extension began November 9, 2026, and runs through 11:59 p.m. Eastern on January 9, 2027. Until then, nobody will owe or build up liability for the fees on maritime transport services. Duties on ship-to-shore (STS) cranes and other cargo handling equipment from China are on hold for the same period.

USTR said the extra time will allow further discussions with China about the conduct under investigation.

How we got here

• April 2025: USTR announced its actions in the investigation, including fees on certain maritime transport services and duties on STS cranes and other cargo handling equipment. Some of these measures were modified in October 2025.
• November 1, 2025: The White House announced a trade and economic deal between President Trump and President Xi. USTR then suspended the actions for one year, from November 10, 2025, to November 9, 2026. The goal was to leave room for negotiations with China and for work on American shipbuilding, both at home and with key allies.
• October 23, 2026: With talks still underway, USTR proposed a further two-month suspension and asked for public comment. It received about 60 unique comments.

What the comments said

The public record shows divided views.

• In favor of the extension: Commenters said it would keep shipping costs from rising and head off commercial disruption. Some added that it would give negotiators more time.
• Against the extension: Commenters said the measures give companies a reason to put money into U.S. shipbuilding and related industries, including containers. They warned that China would tighten its hold on maritime, logistics, and shipbuilding without them.
• Maritime service fees (Annex III): Some commenters asked USTR to suspend one or all of these fees permanently, warning that disruption could hurt U.S. exports.
• Annex IV restrictions: Comments generally supported the extension and asked for these restrictions to be lifted for good.
• STS crane and equipment tariffs: Comments here generally supported ending the suspension and handling these tariffs separately from the maritime service fees.

What happens next

During the suspension, the U.S. will keep talking with China. It will also pursue the goals of America’s Maritime Action Plan, published in February 2026: growing commercial shipbuilding in the U.S., developing the workers to support it, and partnering with allies to add capacity. Before January 10, USTR will consider whether to continue the suspension or take further action.

Our perspective

The first suspension lasted a full year, so businesses had time to plan. This one lasts two months. Plans for early 2027 freight are being made now, and nobody knows yet what USTR will do on January 10.

The comment record also suggests January may bring more than a simple yes or no. The maritime service fees and the crane and equipment tariffs drew very different responses, and some commenters asked USTR to treat them separately. A split decision is a real possibility. Supporters of the extension linked China maritime fees to higher shipping costs and trade disruption, so any business with freight tied to China should plan for more than one outcome.

What to do now

1. Put January 9 on your calendar. Watch for USTR’s announcement as the deadline gets close.
2. Review your January freight. Identify shipments planned for mid-January and later that could be affected if the measures take effect.
3. Talk through contingencies. Work with your forwarding partner on timing and routing options in case the fees return.

How Future Forwarding can help

Our team is following USTR’s decision closely and can help you plan shipments through the January deadline and beyond.