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The U.S. will begin charging port fees on Chinese-built and Chinese-operated vessels from October 2025, after a 180-day grace period.
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Fees will gradually increase from $18 to $33 per net ton over three years, depending on the vessel type and ownership.
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No fleet-wide blanket fees will be implemented under the current USTR framework.
On April 17, 2025, the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) announced a new set of port fees targeting vessels linked to China. These include ships built in China and those operated by Chinese entities that call at U.S. ports.
The Swedish Club, a prominent marine insurer, has confirmed that for the first 180 days, i.e., until October 14, 2025, no port fees will be charged. This transition period is intended to allow shipowners, operators, and ports time to prepare operationally and administratively, according to safety4sea.
Fee Structure and Timeline
After the transition period, fees will apply per net ton on a per U.S. voyage basis, and the structure is designed to scale over time:
| Effective Date | Fee per Net Ton |
|---|---|
| 14 October 2025 | $18 |
| 17 April 2026 | $23 |
| 17 April 2027 | $28 |
| 17 April 2028 | $33 |
These fees apply to two categories:
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Chinese-owned/operated vessels (based on net tonnage per U.S. voyage).
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Chinese-built vessels, calculated either by net tonnage or container count, depending on the vessel class.
This measured rollout reflects a strategy of gradual economic deterrence without causing sudden disruptions in port operations or supply chains.
No Blanket Fleet Fees
Importantly, the USTR confirmed that there will be no fleet-wide charges regardless of fleet composition. This decision came in response to industry feedback and recommendations from the Section 301 Committee, suggesting a more targeted approach is being pursued for now.
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Source: safety4sea
