Overview

• South Korea’s trade and maritime ministries formally submitted a five-page letter on July 7 urging the U.S. Trade Representative to exempt Korean car carriers from planned port entry fees on non-U.S.-built vessels.
• The USTR’s April proposal would levy a fee of $150 per car equivalent unit on all foreign-built vehicle carriers, extending beyond the original China-focused scope and taking effect October 14.
• Seoul warned that adding port fees would create a dual regulatory burden alongside existing tariffs on vehicles and parts, leading to unpredictable costs for automakers, logistics firms and consumers.
• Korean officials also asked for a cap of five fee assessments per vessel per year and for recognition of current tariffs in place of new levies.
• The USTR is reviewing public comments and intergovernmental requests, with a final decision on the expanded fee policy expected later this year.