On April 17, 2025, the Office of the United States Trade Representative issued measures regarding the Section 301 investigation into China’s maritime, logistics, and shipbuilding sectors. Starting from October 14, 2025, it will impose additional port service fees on vessels owned or operated by Chinese enterprises, Chinese-flagged vessels, and vessels built in China. This action seriously violates relevant principles of international trade and the Sino-US Maritime Agreement, causing severe disruption to maritime trade between China and the United States.
In accordance with laws and regulations such as the “International Maritime Regulations of the People’s Republic of China” and the basic principles of international law, and approved by the State Council, starting from October 14, 2025, a Special Port Fee for Vessels will be levied on the following vessels, to be collected by the maritime management authority at the port of call where the vessel berths: vessels whose ownership belongs to enterprises, other organizations, or individuals of the United States; vessels operated by enterprises, other organizations, or individuals of the United States; vessels owned or operated by enterprises or other organizations in which enterprises, other organizations, or individuals of the United States directly or indirectly hold 25% or more equity (voting rights, board seats); vessels flying the flag of the United States; and vessels built in the United States. The relevant matters are announced as follows:
1. For the aforementioned vessels, the Special Port Fee for Vessels shall be collected on a per-voyage basis and implemented in phases. The specific collection standards are as follows (any fraction of 1 net ton shall be counted as 1 net ton).
(1) For vessels berthing at Chinese ports starting from October 14, 2025, the fee is RMB 400 per net ton;
(2) For vessels berthing at Chinese ports starting from April 17, 2026, the fee is RMB 640 per net ton;
(3) For vessels berthing at Chinese ports starting from April 17, 2027, the fee is RMB 880 per net ton;
(4) For vessels berthing at Chinese ports starting from April 17, 2028, the fee is RMB 1120 per net ton.
2. If a vessel calls at multiple Chinese ports during the same voyage, the Special Port Fee for Vessels shall be paid only at the first port of call and will not be collected at subsequent ports of call. For the same vessel, the Special Port Fee for Vessels shall be collected for no more than 5 voyages within one year.
3. Our Ministry will formulate specific implementation measures.
Ministry of Transport
October 10, 2025
