China Imposes Special Port Fees on US Ships in Retaliatory Move

Beijing Responds to US Maritime Tariffs

Beijing, China – China's Ministry of Transport announced and implemented new special port fees on vessels linked to the United States, effective October 14, 2025. This move is a direct retaliatory measure against the United States' decision to levy additional port service fees on Chinese ships, which also took effect on the same date. The Chinese ministry stated that these fees are 'countermeasures' in response to 'wrongful' and 'discriminatory' US practices, aiming to safeguard the legitimate interests of China's shipping industry and ensure fair global shipping practices.

The US fees followed a Section 301 investigation by the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) into China's maritime, logistics, and shipbuilding sectors, which concluded that China's industrial policies undermined fair competition and national security interests.

Details of the New Chinese Port Fees

The new regulations apply broadly to vessels owned or operated by US companies, organizations, or individuals, ships flying the US flag, or those built in the United States. Furthermore, the fees extend to vessels where US stakeholders hold at least a 25% share of ownership, voting rights, or board representation.

The fee structure is phased, beginning with an initial charge of 400 yuan ($56) per net ton per voyage. This rate is set to increase annually:

• 640 yuan per net ton from April 17, 2026
• 880 yuan per net ton from April 17, 2027
• 1,120 yuan ($157) per net ton from April 17, 2028

Each vessel will be subject to the fee for a maximum of five voyages per year, and the charges will be collected at the ship's first Chinese port of call. Exemptions include ships built by China, empty vessels entering Chinese shipyards solely for repair purposes, and other specifically designated exemptions.

Escalating Trade Tensions

This implementation marks a significant escalation in the ongoing trade confrontation between the world's two largest economies. The US had previously announced its own port fees on Chinese-linked ships, with initial charges of $50 per net ton for Chinese-owned or operated vessels, or $18 per net ton / $120 per container for Chinese-built ships, also effective October 14, 2025. The US policy aims to counter China's dominance in global shipbuilding and bolster its domestic industry.

Analysts describe these as 'tit-for-tat' measures that introduce further complexity and uncertainty for global shipping operations. The broader trade tensions between Washington and Beijing have also seen recent restrictions on rare earth exports from China and increased US tariffs on Chinese industrial goods. The timing of these announcements precedes an anticipated meeting between US President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping.

Potential Impact on Global Shipping

The reciprocal fees are expected to create disruptions. Reports indicate that some ships bound for China have already altered their routes. While the US-owned and operated fleet deployed in China is considerably smaller than the Chinese fleet's exposure to US ports, analysts suggest that the Chinese port fees could have a more significant impact on specific sectors, such as tanker and bulker trades. Failure to pay the fees could lead to import and export delays for affected vessels.