China’s Ministry of Transport will start collecting Special Port Service Fees on ships owned or operated by US entities calling at Chinese ports from 14 October 2025, directly matching the date when the United States will begin applying similar port fees on Chinese vessels.
The US Trade Representative (USTR) announced its measures on 17 April 2025 under a Section 301 investigation targeting China’s maritime, logistics and shipbuilding industries.
Under that policy, vessels owned, operated or flagged by Chinese companies will face higher port service fees when calling at US ports starting 14 October 2025.
Beijing said the US decision “seriously violates international trade principles and bilateral maritime agreements” and has approved reciprocal measures in response.
China’s new rules will apply to ships that are owned, operated, or 25% or more controlled by US enterprises, organisations or individuals, as well as US-flagged and US-built vessels.
The fee will be introduced in stages:
- From 14 October 2025: RMB 400 per net ton (≈ USD 55)
- From 17 April 2026: RMB 640 per net ton (≈ USD 88)
- From 17 April 2027: RMB 880 per net ton (≈ USD 121)
- From 17 April 2028: RMB 1,120 per net ton (≈ USD 155)
Each vessel will pay the fee once per voyage — at its first Chinese port of call — and no more than five voyages per year will be charged.
The Ministry of Transport said detailed implementation guidelines will follow.
The simultaneous start dates underscore an escalating trade and maritime standoff between Beijing and Washington, with port access and shipping costs now becoming part of broader tensions over shipbuilding and industrial policy.
