High U.S. port charges for Chinese shipowners and vessels took effect on October 14th: Starting October 14, 2025, new U.S. port fee policies targeting Chinese shipowners and ships built by Chinese shipyards will officially take effect. Starting October 14th, vessels owned or operated by Chinese entities arriving at U.S. ports will be charged a fee of $50 per net ton. Chinese-built vessels will be charged a fee of $18 per net ton or $120 per unloaded container, whichever is higher. Car carriers and roll-on/roll-off vessels will also be charged a fee of $14 per net ton, also starting October 14th. Furthermore, the responsibility for payment falls entirely on the vessel operator. Operators must pay the fees before a vessel's first entry into a U.S. port or location outside of U.S. customs territory; failure to do so may result in the vessel being denied loading or unloading permission or having its departure withheld.
At the same time, starting from October 14, 2025, China will take corresponding countermeasures: ships owned by U.S. companies, other organizations and individuals; ships operated by U.S. companies, other organizations and individuals; ships owned or operated by companies or other organizations in which U.S. companies, other organizations and individuals directly or indirectly hold 25% or more of the shares (voting rights, board seats); ships flying the U.S. flag; and ships built in the United States. The maritime administration agency of the port where the ship is docked will be responsible for collecting special port fees from the ship.
