Seven Chinese state departments including the National Development and Reform Commission, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the Ministry of Transport, the Ministry of Commerce, the General Administration of Customs, and the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection, have together released a public notice to further eliminate excessive shipping charges under the call of the State Council.

The departments will investigate into liners, ports and logistics firms for unreasonable charges.

Cai Jiaxiang, deputy director at China Shippers Association, said some major liner companies are using their monopoly position to charge excessive fees, which need to be regulated.

According to the notice, the move is to ease the burden of import and export companies and make a more fair market environment.

China’s move comes on the same day that neighbour Vietnam said it was looking to crack down on excessive charges too.