Hanoi is trying to take control of surcharges put in place by containerlines calling at Vietnam.
The finance ministry concluded in a recent report that foreign boxlines are enforcing many different surcharges on shippers. The report identified 70 different surcharges, many deemed “unclear” and too high. Surcharges accounted for more than a third of the revenues made by 20 foreign boxlines calling at Vietnam last year. Terminal handling charges were deemed especially punitive.
Now the government has asked the finance ministry to come up with regulations on fees and surcharges.
Foreign boxlines account for 88% of the nation’s exports, something the national government is keen to try and reverse.
