Tariffs, fees, and record-breaking cargo volumes are the highlights of this week’s roundup.
In the face of inflationary pressures, the US Treasury is considering lowering tariffs the Trump administration placed on goods imported from China. December 2020 saw the expiration of exclusions previously in place, replaced with new tariff exclusions under Phase 1 of a trade deal signed with China in early 2020. However, the deadline of Phase 1 looms on Dec. 31, and China is nowhere near fulfilling its agreement to purchase $200 billion more in goods and services throughout 2020 and 2021.
As of October, they’ve only reached 62% of the target. While part of the blame can be placed on the pandemic, many feel the target was unattainable, regardless.
Amid those issues. JOC.com reports that APM Terminals will begin levying fees against harbor truckers beginning Jan. 1 at the Los Angeles, Pier 400 facility.
The Harbor Trucking Association shared that these fees would be:
- $65 for missing an appointment
- $25 for canceling an appointment within 2 to 8 hours prior
- $25 for booking same-day appointments
- $100 for a gate move without an appointment
Drayage operators are taking the stance that this will punish truckers for circumstances outside their control.
Meanwhile, port operators along the west coast are planning to take control of circumstances at their terminals by instituting their own penalties, hoping to compel truckers to move boxes out quicker. At ports in Los Angeles and Long Beach, these fees could include $100 per container, plus another $100 for each day after sitting nine days on the dock if being picked up by a truck, or six days by rail.
To learn more about this week’s top international shipping industry news, check out the following article highlights:
