Skip to main content
US Trade PolicyProposed Rule

US Maritime Action Plan: The New Freight Cost Risk Every Importer Needs to Model

The USTR is proposing fees of $500,000–$1,500,000 per US port call on foreign-built vessels, targeting Chinese shipbuilders and operators. Unlike tariffs, this fee hits your freight cost — not your duty stack. For trans-Pacific importers, estimates put the surcharge at $50–$200/TEU once carriers pass it through.

June 2026·Final rule pending

Proposed rule — not yet final as of June 2026

The USTR has proposed but not finalized the vessel fee rule. Implementation dates and exact fee schedules may change. Monitor USTR Federal Register notices for the final rule. Model a $50–$150/TEU buffer in your Q3/Q4 cost estimates.

$1.5M
Fee (Chinese operators)
Per US port call, at scale
$500K
Fee (Chinese-built ships)
Per port call, non-CN operators
$50–200
Estimated surcharge
Per TEU (carrier pass-through)
3 years
Phase-in period
If final rule adopted as proposed

How the Vessel Fee Adds to Landed Cost

Your landed cost has two main components: (1) the duty stack (MFN + Section 301 + Section 122 + AD/CVD) assessed on the declared value of the goods, and (2) freight + fees (ocean freight, insurance, MPF, HMF, port charges). The vessel fee increases component 2 — it is not a tariff on goods and does not compound with existing duty rates.

Shipment exampleOcean freight today+ Vessel fee surchargeNew freight cost
1×40' container, CN→LA (COSCO vessel)$1,600+$150 (est.)$1,750
1×40' container, VN→LA (Chinese-built ship)$1,400+$100 (est.)$1,500
1×40' container, DE→NY (EU carrier, EU-built)$2,200$0 (not affected)$2,200
1×40' container, IN→NY (non-CN carrier)$1,800TBD (rule pending)TBD

Freight rates illustrative. Vessel fee surcharge estimates based on industry projections; final amounts depend on USTR rule finalization.

What the US Maritime Action Plan Proposes

USTR Service Fee on Foreign-Built Vessels

Proposed / Phase-In

The US Trade Representative proposed fees on Chinese-built vessels calling at US ports, ranging from $500,000–$1.5M per port call (or per net ton for Chinese operators), phasing in over 3 years. Final rule expected mid-2026.

Impact: Carriers will pass this to shippers as a surcharge. Early estimates: $10–$30/TEU for China-origin cargo routed through affected vessels.

Expanded US Maritime Security Levy

Under Review

A broader US Maritime Action Plan would extend vessel-related fees beyond Chinese-built ships to any foreign-built vessel, with different rates based on vessel registry and build origin.

Impact: Could affect trans-Pacific, trans-Atlantic, and Gulf routes depending on final rule scope.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the US Maritime Action Plan?

The US Maritime Action Plan is a government initiative to rebuild US commercial shipbuilding capacity and reduce dependence on foreign (particularly Chinese) vessels. The plan includes proposed fees on foreign-built vessels calling at US ports, tax incentives for US-built ships, and requirements for certain cargo to move on US-flagged vessels. It was developed by the USTR and the Maritime Administration (MARAD) in 2025–2026.

What fees are proposed on foreign vessels?

The USTR proposed a service fee of up to $1,000,000–$1,500,000 per port call for vessels operated by Chinese shipping companies, and up to $500,000 for Chinese-built vessels operated by non-Chinese companies. Fees were set to phase in over 3 years. The fees are assessed per vessel per US port call, not per container — making large vessels (10,000+ TEU) more affected per container than smaller ones.

Which importers are most affected?

US importers who receive goods on vessels operated by Chinese carriers (COSCO, OOCL/OOIL, CSCL, Evergreen/China routes) or built at Chinese shipyards will see the highest exposure. Trans-Pacific lanes from China, Vietnam, India, and Bangladesh are most affected. European, Middle Eastern, and Gulf routes on non-Chinese carriers and non-Chinese-built vessels face lower but potentially non-zero exposure as the plan evolves.

How does the vessel fee add to landed cost?

Carriers are expected to pass the fee to shippers as a surcharge — similar to the Bunker Adjustment Factor (BAF) or Peak Season Surcharge (PSS). The per-TEU impact depends on the vessel size and the fee divided by TEU capacity. On a 14,000 TEU vessel with a $1M fee: that's roughly $71/TEU before mark-up. Carriers typically add a margin, so estimated surcharges range from $50–$200/TEU depending on vessel type and route.

When does the vessel fee take effect?

The USTR published its proposed rule in 2025. As of June 2026, a final rule with implementation date has not been confirmed. The proposed phased timeline would start with lower fees in Year 1 and scale to full rates by Year 3. Importers should monitor USTR Federal Register notices for the final implementation date.

Is this a tariff? Does it interact with Section 301 or Section 122?

No — the vessel fee is not a tariff on goods. It is a service fee assessed on the carrier for use of US ports, not on the value of the imported product. It does not interact with or stack against Section 301, Section 232, or Section 122 tariffs — it adds to freight cost, not the duty rate. Your landed cost has two components: (1) the duty stack (MFN + S301 + S122 + AD/CVD) and (2) freight + insurance + fees. The vessel fee increases component 2.

What can importers do to reduce exposure?

Options include: (1) requesting booking confirmations that specify vessel flag and build origin; (2) negotiating carrier contracts that exclude China-built/operated vessels for US-bound cargo; (3) routing cargo through carriers with US-built or non-Chinese-built fleet exposure; (4) factoring a conservative $50–$150/TEU buffer into Q3/Q4 landed cost models while the final rule is pending.

Related Guides

Merchandise Processing Fee (MPF)Section 122 Tariff — July 24 DeadlineChina Tariffs 2026Landed Cost SoftwareFull Tariff CalculatorReciprocal Tariffs 2026

Model Your Full Landed Cost — Tariffs + Freight

Zentria Flow stacks every US tariff layer automatically and alerts you when rates change. Factor in freight scenarios manually to get your true all-in cost.

See what Zentria Flow does Open Calculator Free
Zentria Brain