Port of Belize ups the landing fees for importers starting October 1 

A new container unloading fee being introduced by the Port of Belize Limited is resulting in higher landing charges for customers of multiple shipping companies. A letter dated August 11 shows that the Port of Belize informed shipping agents of a new stripping fee of three hundred dollars per twenty-foot equivalent unit, or TEU. A TEU is the standard measurement used for a twenty-foot shipping container.  Container stripping refers to the unloading and separation of cargo packed inside a container, including goods belonging to multiple customers. The Port says the new fee will apply to all applicable stripping services from October 1.  Hybur Limited has since informed customers that the additional expense will be incorporated into its foreign landing rates. Charges for machinery and dry and refrigerated cargo shipped in shared containers will increase by ten dollars based on weight or measurement. That is equivalent to an additional twenty-five cents per cubic foot.  Customers importing vehicles through Hybur will also face an additional flat charge of one hundred and seventy-five dollars for each unit.  Hybur is the second shipping company to announce higher landing charges linked to the Port’s decision. Love News reported yesterday that Tropical Shipping will introduce similar increases on October 4, including an additional one hundred and seventy-five US dollars on its vehicle landing fee.  The announcements indicate that the Port of Belize’s new stripping charge will affect importers using several shipping agents. 

Businesses and consumers could therefore face higher overall importation costs beginning in October, with the additional expense potentially being passed on through increased retail prices.