Shippers rushing to capitalise on a temporary pause in US-China tariffs could face an unpleasant surprise, as many underlying duties remain firmly in place despite eye-catching headline reductions.
The 90-day tariff truce announced last week sparked a surge in booking volumes, but beneath the surface of the rollback lies a patchwork of tariffs and duties that continue to apply to a significant share of Chinese imports.
The US government confirmed that tariffs introduced on 8 April have been lifted. But a closer look reveals that earlier duties, including Section 301 and 232 tariffs, along with others related to steel, aluminium, fentanyl, and certain “most favoured nation” categories, remain unchanged. These policies, many of which stem from the first Trump administration, cover a substantial portion of imports and impose rates that can push overall charges to 50% or more.
Industry voices have warned that despite the apparent breakthrough in trade relations, the cost burden for many importers has not materially shifted. Products such as steel fasteners, auto parts, and goods affected by anti-dumping measures continue to face steep levies—some of which have actually increased in recent months.
The confusion has been compounded by the volume of policy shifts and a lack of clear guidance from US Customs and Border Protection. Many traders have been left scrambling with little notice, as shifting directives and inconsistent messaging obscure the finer details of what tariffs apply, and to which products.
While the recent relaxation has triggered a surge in demand—one trade intelligence platform recorded a 277% spike in booking volumes within 24 hours—analysts caution that many in the shipping industry may not fully appreciate the temporary or partial nature of the relief.
With 60% of Chinese goods still affected by existing tariff regimes, the real story is far more nuanced than the headlines suggest. Shippers would be wise to study the detail behind the announcements and seek clarity on what charges remain before making long-term commitments.
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For the US EMAIL Marta or EMAIL Fernando in New Jersey today to start the conversation.
