The Jordanian government has extended tax relief on sea-borne imports for six more months to cushion the impact of sharply higher container freight rates and war-risk surcharges. Local traders report that freight costs for 20-foot and 40-foot containers have multiplied, with war-risk insurance premiums in some cases reaching USD 2,000–3,000 per box. Across nearby markets, additional “Black Sea Ormuz” surcharges of 50–90 euros per tonne are raising transport costs, underscoring broad regional pressure on importers.
At its session on September 6, 2026, Jordan’s cabinet decided to renew for another six months a package of tax breaks designed to offset the impact of elevated sea freight costs on the country’s imports. The relief, which covers general and special sales taxes on goods arriving by sea, was initially introduced after a sharp run-up in container transport costs. According to estimates from a local trader cited in the report, freight charges on certain routes for 20-foot containers have jumped from roughly USD 2,000–2,500 to around USD 6,000, while 40-foot containers can cost USD 8,000–9,000 depending on shipping line and conditions. On top of that, war-risk insurance surcharges on some lanes are estimated at about USD 2,000 for a 20-foot and USD 3,000 for a 40-foot container, further inflating total transport costs.
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