China’s Ministry of Transport announced on Friday the implementation of a special port service fee targeting vessels linked to the United States, in direct response to Washington’s recent decision to levy additional port fees on Chinese-owned or operated ships. The new fee will take effect from October 14, marking a significant escalation in maritime trade tensions between the two nations.
Under the new regulation, the special fee applies to vessels owned or operated by US entities or individuals, those with 25 percent or more US ownership, ships flying the US flag, or vessels built in the US. The Ministry clarified that if a vessel calls at multiple Chinese ports during the same voyage, the fee will only be charged at the first port of call and will not exceed five charges per vessel annually.
The fee will be introduced in stages: 400 yuan ($56) per net ton starting October 14, 640 yuan from April 2026, 880 yuan from April 2027, and 1,120 yuan from April 2028. The Ministry described the decision as a “lawful countermeasure” to the US Trade Representative’s policy imposing similar port service fees on Chinese vessels, which Beijing says violates international trade principles and disrupts global shipping stability.
A Ministry spokesperson condemned the US actions as discriminatory and protectionist, accusing Washington of harming global supply chains and the legitimate interests of China’s maritime industry. “China will take firm measures to safeguard fairness in the international maritime market and ensure the stability of global logistics,” the spokesperson stated, urging the US to reverse its decision and end its suppression of Chinese shipping firms.
