News
China's Ministry of Transport has issued a notice which requires transport bureaus and commissions of provinces, autonomous regions, municipalities and cities to carry out cleanup and standardize shipping service surcharges. This complies with the State Council's order to look into alleged double charges on imports and exports and other illegal fees.
According to the notice, local transport offices should conduct probe into six principles as follows:
• Surcharges are subject to the provisions of the International Maritime Regulations tariff filing requirements.
• The shipping lines must not violate the principle of good faith and impose reflecting the services provided.
• Surcharges on war risks and soaring bunker fuel should be temporary and promptly adjusted or canceled according to the change of the relevant circumstances or conditions.
• The shipping lines may not drive up prices under the premise of their cost escalation.
• The shipping companies may not forcing charges by abusing their dominant position.
• The shipping lines are encourage to rationalize their freight pricing structure to incorporate the relevant maritime ocean freight surcharges into their tariffs, using the all-in way to charge.
