USTR extends suspension of Section 301 maritime fees and crane duties on China to January 2027
USTR is suspending its Section 301 actions on China's maritime, logistics and shipbuilding sectors for two more months, through January 9, 2027. No maritime service fees or crane duties accrue in that period.
What this affects
China| 9903.91.12 | Amended: date changed from November 10, 2026 to January 10, 2027 |
| 9903.91.13 | Amended: date changed from November 10, 2026 to January 10, 2027 |
| 9903.91.14 | Amended: date changed from November 10, 2026 to January 10, 2027 |
Codes are a starting point, not a classification. Confirm your own 10-digit HTS before you rely on a rate, using our HTS classification guide.
The update
The Office of the US Trade Representative has modified its Section 301 action on China's targeting of the maritime, logistics and shipbuilding sectors. The responsive actions are further suspended for two months, until January 10, 2027. The suspension takes effect on November 9, 2026 and runs through 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on January 9, 2027.
The suspension covers the actions taken in the April 23, 2025 notice, as modified by the October 16, 2025 and November 13, 2025 notices. During the suspension, no party accrues liability for or must pay the fees on maritime transport services under Annexes I, II or III of the April 2025 notice. No party accrues liability for or must pay the duties in Annex V.A of the October 2025 notice, which cover ship-to-shore cranes and other cargo handling equipment of China.
To implement this, USTR amends Harmonized Tariff Schedule headings 9903.91.12, 9903.91.13, 9903.91.14, 9903.91.15 and 9903.91.16. Each heading has the date November 10, 2026 deleted and January 10, 2027 inserted in its place. USTR says discussions with China are ongoing and that the circumstances that warranted the initial suspension continue to exist.
USTR received approximately 60 unique comments on its October 26, 2026 proposal. Some supported suspension, citing avoided shipping costs and commercial disruption. Others opposed it, arguing the action is needed to encourage investment in US shipbuilding and related industries. USTR says it will keep monitoring and will consider whether to continue the suspension or take further action before the January 10, 2027 deadline.
Impact
The maritime service fees and the duties on ship-to-shore cranes and other cargo handling equipment from China remain off the books for another two months. Importers and shippers who would otherwise face higher ocean freight costs or equipment duties do not have to budget for them in this window. The relief is time-limited, so cost models that run past January 2027 still carry the question of what happens after the suspension ends.
What to watch
The suspension ends on January 10, 2027, and USTR has not said whether it will be extended again or replaced with further action. The document also refers to proposed tariffs on additional cargo handling equipment in Annex V.B of the October 2025 notice, and it does not state how those are affected beyond the general suspension language.
How to prepare
- 1Flag the January 10, 2027 suspension end date
Cost models and contracts that run past that date should allow for the fees and duties returning.
- 2Review exposure to China-linked maritime services
Identify shipments and carriers where the suspended fees would have applied.
- 3Check imports of cargo handling equipment
Confirm whether any ship-to-shore cranes or related equipment from China are in your pipeline.
- 4Confirm the updated 9903.91 headings with your broker
Make sure entry systems reflect the new January 10, 2027 date.
- 5Watch USTR notices ahead of the deadline
USTR has said it may consider further action before the suspension ends.
Sources
- Notice of Modification of Section 301 Action: China's Targeting of the Maritime, Logistics, and Shipbuilding Sectors for Dominance · Federal Register · November 10, 2026
- Section 301 Investigations Up as Congress Eyes Trade Authority · Legis1 · November 3, 2026
- Section 301 Probe of Vietnam Extended · Sandler, Travis & Rosenberg, P.A. · November 9, 2026
- Section 301 Tariffs on Medical Products: What USTR Set for Syringes, Gloves and Masks · CASRAI · October 31, 2026
We summarize published reporting and official notices. Always confirm rates and dates against the Federal Register or your customs broker before acting on them.