Vietnam - Shipping fees on exports to US soar

Many shipping lines have started to impose a new general rate increase (GRI) on containers of goods exported to the U.S. with a rise ranging from US$320 to US$450 per container.

The new fees are applied for goods from European countries and Vietnam to Mexico, Canada and the U.S., Vietnam’s major markets for garments, footwear, seafood and woodwork.

Each 20-foot container, 40-foot standard container and 40-foot high cube container will be subject to a price rise of US$320, US$400 and US$450 respectively, according to NYK Line in its announcement sent to customers.

Exporters have to pay nearly US$2,000 for every 20-foot container to transport goods from ports in Vietnam to the U.S.

A representative of a forwarding firm in HCM City’s District 4 said the fee upsurge by shipping lines at a time of stronger shipping demand was to offset their earlier losses due to declining shipping demand caused by the economic crisis.

The shipping fee was lowered by around US$120-200 for each 20-foot container some months ago due to low demand. However, the fee has been raised as it is now the export season in some countries such as Vietnam and China.

Meanwhile, fees on exports to Europe remain unchanged at US$600 for a 20-foot container, US$1,200 for a 40-foot container and US$1,300 for a 40-foot high cube container.

The terminal handling charge (THC) imposed on containers of frozen goods from Vietnam has also been spiked considerably to cover risks, after several exported frozen containers exploded.

The export volume will be on the rise until the Tet holiday as exporters do not want to stock goods in the New Year, said Nguyen Nang Toan from Saigon Newport Corporation.

Saigon Times

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