With less than 24 hours ahead of new U.S. government port fees on Chinese-made freight vessels, importers are grappling with additional tariffs that include other Chinese-made machinery key to the supply chain.
On Friday, the U.S. Trade Representative announced modifications following a review of public comments on the prior rule, which include an additional 150% tariffs on rubber tire gantry cranes, rail-mounted gantry cranes, automatic stacking cranes, reachstackers, straddle carriers, terminal tractors, top loaders, and the components that make up the pieces of equipment.
Factoring in the layering of prior tariffs on the cranes, the new tariff rate can be as high as 270%.
In addition to the port crane fees, additional changes include the fee structure changes for vehicle carriers, otherwise known as roll-on roll-off vessels, which help to carry automobiles, farm equipment and other heavy machinery.
Now, a fee will be charged based on the vessel’s net tonnage capacity instead of the number of vehicles being carried. One ocean carrier that owns and operates RoRos said the change could cost them millions.
