The US and China have reached an agreement to suspend mutual port surcharges for one year starting from 11/10. This will temporarily ease cost pressures on trans-Pacific shipping routes. However, as this is a temporary measure, the industry still faces the risk of cost restructuring after one year. Foreign trade companies should continue to develop long-term risk mitigation plans.
On 10 30, China and the United States jointly announced that a one-year suspension of previously imposed reciprocal port-related fees on vessels would take effect on 11 10. This development signals a temporary easing of months-long tensions over ocean freight surcharges, offering hope for stabilization in the volatile shipping market.
With the policy suspended, vessels calling at U.S. and Chinese ports will no longer bear exorbitant additional port charges. Carrier-led mitigation measures—such as fleet restructuring and vessel swaps implemented earlier to avoid these fees—will now be paused. Reduced cost pressure on trans-Pacific routes is expected to bring container freight rates back into a more reasonable range, directly benefiting Chinese exporters to the U.S., restoring their logistics pricing competitiveness and order profit margins, and enhancing short-term supply chain stability.
However, this is only a **-month suspension, not a permanent cancellation of the policies**. If no new agreement is reached when the one-year suspension expires, the original fee measures could resume, leaving the global liner industry facing tens of billions of dollars in potential cost restructuring.
For exporters, this presents an opportunity to temporarily optimize U.S.-bound order quotations and capture cost savings. Yet, medium- to long-term policy risks remain significant. Companies should continuously monitor Sino-U.S. shipping policy developments, pursue customer diversification, maintain alternative route options, and adopt a decentralized supply chain strategy. Proactive scenario planning ahead of key expiration dates and pre-established contingency logistics plans are essential to mitigate sudden disruptions from future policy changes.