U.S. Suspended Port Fees for South Korean Car Carriers

Logistics operators can expect a reduction in freight surcharges as major shipping fees are lifted.

Updated on Sept. 30, 2026 in International Trade

U.S. Suspended Port Fees for South Korean Car Carriers

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Should companies pass on savings to customers immediately when government fees or trade sanctions are lifted?

The U.S. government has announced a one-year suspension of $46-per-ton port-entry fees for non-U.S. built car carriers, effective September 28, 2026. This move, stemming from a recent trade truce, removes a significant cost burden for international shippers like Hyundai Glovis.

Why it matters

The removal of these sanctions directly lowers operational shipping costs that were previously passed down through freight surcharges. This suspension represents a cooling of trade tensions that had previously forced carriers to levy additional charges on domestic importers.

The USTR-led suspension relieves an annual financial burden of $137.2 million, or 200 billion won, previously imposed as a $46-per-net-ton entry fee. The waiver applies to international carriers such as Hyundai Glovis, which is the largest car carrier in South Korea.

The players

Hyundai Glovis

The largest car carrier in South Korea, specializing in global automotive logistics and supply chain management.

Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR)

The federal agency responsible for developing and coordinating U.S. international trade policy and managing import tariffs.

The details

The suspension was authorized under Section 301 of the Trade Act following a trade truce between the U.S. and China. Hyundai Glovis, the primary carrier affected, plans to eliminate surcharges on freight charges starting September 28, 2026. While relief is immediate, the carrier is still reviewing the application of surcharges for shipments moving during the mid-October to early November transition window.

October 14, 2025: The USTR began imposing $46 per net ton entry fees.
September 24, 2026: The USTR published the suspension in the Federal Register.
September 28, 2026: The fee requirement was officially lifted.
End of 2027: The current suspension of port-entry fee sanctions expires.

Market Landscape

This policy shift marks a departure from the protectionist sanctions enacted under Section 301 of the Trade Act in late 2025. It aligns with the current U.S.-China trade truce that seeks to alleviate logistics costs impacting global automotive supply chains.

Operators who rely on international car carriers should monitor their invoices for the removal of port-entry surcharges effective September 28, 2026. Confirm that your logistics partners reflect this fee reduction to capture margin improvements on incoming shipments.

The takeaway

The suspension of these levies provides a meaningful opportunity to audit current freight contracts and identify cost-reduction potential. Check all shipping manifests against current carrier surcharge policies to ensure these regulatory savings are realized.