US-China Shipping Fee Escalation and Market Impact

China hits back on US port fees: new charges on American ships start Oct 14

Why this matters (quick brief)

China will levy about $56 per net ton on US-owned/operated/flagged or US-built vessels calling at Chinese ports beginning Oct 14, escalating over time. This mirrors the new US fee on China-connected vessels and adds uncertainty and cost to trans-Pacific trade lanes, with likely modal shifts and procurement changes across logistics.

Winners

Category: Air freight and express

Reason: If ocean costs, transit times, or schedule reliability worsen, urgent shipments shift to air, lifting volume/yields.

Names: $FDX, $UPS

Category: Non-Chinese ocean capacity listed in the US

Reason: As Chinese carriers face US fees and US-affiliated ships face China’s fees, some shippers ma ...