PORT FEES FOR US VESSELS VISITING CHINESE PORTS
Background information
On April 17, 2025, the Office of the United States Trade Representative announced the imposition of Section 301 measures targeting China’s maritime, logistics, and shipbuilding industries. Beginning October 14, 2025, the U.S. will impose additional port service fees on vessels owned or operated by Chinese enterprises, Chinese-flagged vessels, and vessels built in China.
Special Port Service Fee
In accordance with the Regulations of the People’s Republic of China on International Maritime Transport and basic principles of international law, and with the approval of the State Council, China will, starting from October 14, 2025, impose a Special Port Service Fee on the following categories of vessels:
- Vessels owned by U.S. enterprises, organizations, or individuals;
- Vessels operated by U.S. enterprises, organizations, or individuals;
- Vessels owned or operated by enterprises or organizations in which U.S. enterprises, organizations, or individuals directly or indirectly hold 25% or more of the equity, voting rights, or board seats;
- Vessels flying the U.S. flag;
- Vessels built in the United States.
Fees
The collection of the Special Port Service Fee shall be administered by the maritime authority at the port of call. The Special Port Service Fee will be levied per voyage, and implemented in phases as follows (fractions of one net ton shall be rounded up to one net ton):
1. From October 14, 2025: RMB 400 per net ton;
2. From April 17, 2026: RMB 640 per net ton;
3. From April 17, 2027: RMB 880 per net ton;
4. From April 17, 2028: RMB 1,120 per net ton.
Additional Provisions
- If a vessel calls at multiple Chinese ports during the same voyage, the Special Port Service Fee shall be collected only at the first Chinese port of call, and subsequent ports will not collect the fee again.
- Each vessel shall be subject to this Special Port Service Fee no more than five times per year.
Implementation
The Ministry of Transport will formulate and issue detailed implementation measures in due course.
