(Original title: Department of Transportation: U.S. ships charge special port charges for ships)

Network map of the Ministry of Transport Building

The Ministry of Transport issued an announcement on charging special port fees for US ships.

On April 17, 2025, the Office of the United States Trade Representative issued 301 investigation measures on China's maritime, logistics and shipbuilding industries. Starting from October 14, 2025, ships owned or operated by Chinese companies, Chinese ships and Chinese ships will be investigated. The addition of port service fees for ships seriously violates the relevant principles of international trade and the Sino-US maritime agreement, and causes serious damage to maritime trade between China and the United States.

In accordance with the International Maritime Regulations of the People's Republic of China and the basic principles of international law, approved by the State Council, from October 14, 2025, ships owned or operated by enterprises, other organizations and individuals of the United States; ships operated by enterprises, other organizations and individuals of the United States; enterprises, other organizations and individuals of the United States directly or indirectly holding 25% or more of the shares (voting rights, board seats); ships owned or operated by other organizations of the United States; ships hanging the flag of the United States; ships built in the United States are charged by the maritime authorities of the port where the ship is located.

For the above-mentioned vessels, the special port charges for vessels are charged according to the flight, implemented in stages, and the specific charges criteria are as follows (less than 1 net ton per 1 net ton).

(1) Those who berth at Chinese ports starting from October 14, 2025 will be charged at RMB 400 per net ton;

(2) Those who berth at Chinese ports starting from April 17, 2026 will be charged at RMB 640 per net ton;

Those who land in Chinese ports from 17 April 2027 shall be charged 880 yuan per net tonne.

(4) Those who berth at Chinese ports starting from April 17, 2028 will be charged at RMB 1,120 per net ton.

(2) If a ship is attached to several Chinese ports on the same flight, the ship shall pay the special port service fee only at the first attached port, and the subsequent attached ports shall not be charged.

The Ministry will develop specific implementation measures.