Penalty for shipping lines that increase surcharge rates

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The increase in surcharge prices means enterprises face many difficulties. Photo: T.H

According to seafood exporters, from the end of October 2020, some container shipping lines such as Wan Hai Lines Ltd., Heung A Line, Interasia, Yaming Shipping Vietnam, Sinokor (Vietnam), Cosco Shipping Lines, Nam Sung Shipping Vietnam, Ever Green Shipping Agency, KMTC Lines, all sent an announcement to customers about increasing the Rate restoration (RR) surcharge for container cargo exported from Vietnam to Asian markets.

With an increase in surcharge from US$50 to US$200/container and applied from November 1, 2020, it means just a few days after the date of the notification to customers.

In addition to the recently increased RR fee, on November 6, 2020, Yaming Shipping Vietnam also announced an increase in Peak Season Surcharge fee from US$150-450.

The above fee increase means businesses face accumulated difficulties when they were already greatly affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Before the price increase and immediate application of shipping lines, the Vietnam Maritime Administration sent a document to container shipping enterprises on the implementation of price listing under Decree No.146/2016/ND-CP regulations on the listing of prices and surcharges in addition to the service charge of shipping container goods by sea and service charges at seaports.

Specifically, shipping lines must post all information about departure and destination point of the transport route; list and rates of shipping services by sea, surcharges corresponding to the shipping route and type of goods to be transported; the listed price including relevant service charges incurred and taxes, fees and charges (if any); information of the shipping company or the authorized agent or company to list it.

In case of any change in the direction of increasing the shipping price by sea, increasing the posted surcharge, the effective date of the shipping price by sea or the surcharge specified by the enterprise but not earlier than 15 consecutive days from date of changing the listing.

If there is a change in the direction of reducing the cost of sea freight, the surcharge is listed, the effective date of the shipping price by sea or the surcharge is calculated from the date on which the change is posted.

In case of any change in service prices at seaports, it is necessary to declare with competent agencies and post them in accordance with the law on prices.

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In addition to the price listing, the Vietnam Maritime Administration also requested businesses to thoroughly grasp the Prime Minister's direction in Directive No. 11/CT-TTg on urgent tasks and solutions to remove difficulties for business production, ensuring social security to cope with the Covid-19 pandemic.