On April 17, 2025, the Office of the United States Trade Representative issued a Section 301 investigation into China’s maritime, logistics and shipbuilding industries. Starting from October 14, 2025, additional port service fees will be levied on ships owned or operated by Chinese companies, Chinese-nationalized ships and Chinese-made ships. This seriously violates the relevant principles of international trade and the China-US Maritime Agreement, causing serious damage to China-US maritime trade.
In accordance with the "International Maritime Transport Regulations of the People's Republic of China" and other laws and regulations and the basic principles of international law, with the approval of the State Council, starting from October 14, 2025, ships with ownership of ships by U.S. companies, other organizations and individuals; ships operated by U.S. companies, other organizations and individuals ; Ships owned or operated by U.S. companies, other organizations and individuals that directly or indirectly hold 25% or more of the equity (voting rights, board of directors seats); ships flying the U.S. flag; ships built in the United States, the maritime administration agency where the ship calls at the port is responsible for collecting special port fees for the ship. Relevant matters are announced as follows:
1. For the above-mentioned ships, special port fees will be charged based on the voyage, which will be implemented in phases. The specific charging standards are as follows (less than 1 net ton will be calculated as 1 net ton).
(1) For berthing at Chinese ports from October 14, 2025, it will be charged at RMB 400 per net ton;
(2) For berthing at Chinese ports from April 17, 2026, it will be charged at RMB 640 per net ton;
(3) For berths at Chinese ports starting from April 17, 2027, the fee will be charged at RMB 880 per net ton;
2. If a ship calls at multiple Chinese ports on the same voyage, the ship’s special port fee will only be paid at the first port of call, and will not be charged at subsequent ports of call. The same ship may collect special port fees for no more than 5 voyages within a year.
3. Our ministry will formulate specific implementation measures.
Ministry of Transport
October 10, 2025
