U.S. Must Act as Ports Lose Business to International Rivals
(International Freighting Weekly – Pete Goldin)
More imports from Asia being routed via Canada or Mexico to avoid paying Harbor Maintenance Tax
U.S. ports are losing business as shippers avoid the country’s Harbor Maintenance Tax by sending their cargo via Canadian and Mexican alternatives.
Now, following a request from Senators, the U.S. Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) plans to study how the U.S. Harbor Maintenance Tax is affecting how U.S.-bound cargo enters the country. Richard Lidinsky, FMC Chairman, said the eventual aim was to “level the playing field between U.S. and other North American ports”.
Currently, cargo brought into a U.S. port is subject to the tax, and the more valuable the cargo, the higher the tax. Shippers can avoid this by routing cargo through Canadian or Mexican ports. Read more here.
Date: September 30, 2011
