USTR Section 301 Port & Vessel Fees: What You Need to Know

Confused about the new USTR “vessel fees”? You’re not alone. Shippers everywhere are asking: “Is this going to hit me, and how much will it cost?” 🤔 In this quick, plain-language Just-in-Time Learning™ session, maritime attorney and former FMC counsel Lauren Beagen (The Maritime Professor®) explains exactly what these new Section 301 port and vessel fees are, how they’re assessed, and what it means for your business. 👉 Think of it like a toll booth for container ships: 🚙 Blue Cars (non-China built, non-China operated ships) = no toll 🚗 Red Cars (China-built or China-operated ships) = stop and pay 📦 Importers = the passengers, splitting the toll when the bill comes due By the end, you’ll know how the fees start, why they increase each year, how the five-assessment cap works, what exemptions might keep your cargo from getting caught, and choices you may have to mitigate your risk. What You’ll Learn ✨ What the Section 301 vessel fees are and when they start ✨ How they’re assessed ($/net tonnage vs. $/container) ✨ Why the “higher of the two” rule matters ✨ The escalation schedule and five-call cap ✨ Exemptions that skip the toll booth ✨ Steps importers can take to prepare Who Should Watch 👩‍💼 Importers (especially containerized cargo) ⚓ Port authorities and terminal operators 🚚 Supply chain and logistics professionals 💰 Finance and procurement teams 🏛️ Policy and government affairs professionals 📘 Anyone new to shipping who wants a clear explanation ---- The Just-in-Time Learning™ series by The Maritime Professor® delivers short, plain-language courses that give you the essentials of maritime regulation and supply chain policy in 30 minutes or less. What Attendees Are Saying 💬 “That Just-in-Time session was so straightforward and sharp. Thank you!” 💬 “That was awesome - extremely professional and efficient... Information wise I think it was really clear what was being discussed and you broke it down in a way that way that was easily digestible."