According to a message on the website of the Ministry of Transport on the 14th, the Ministry issued the "Implementation Measures for Collecting Special Port Dues from Vessels to the United States" on the same day.

Previously, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative released 301 investigation measures against China's maritime, logistics, and shipbuilding industries. Starting from October 14, 2025, the U.S. will impose additional port service fees on vessels owned or operated by Chinese companies, Chinese-built vessels, and Chinese-flagged vessels. This move seriously violates World Trade Organization rules and the Sino-U.S. Maritime Agreement, causing serious damage to Sino-U.S. maritime trade.

The full text of the "Implementation Measures for Collecting Special Port Dues from Vessels to the United States" is as follows:

Implementation Measures for Collecting Special Port Dues from Vessels to the United States

Article 1 In order to implement the requirements of the announcement on collecting special port dues from vessels to the United States, and in accordance with regulations such as the "Regulations of the People's Republic of China on International Shipping," to safeguard the interests of China's shipping industry, this method is formulated.

Article 2 Vessels engaged in international sea transport, berthing at Chinese ports, and meeting any of the following conditions shall pay special port dues:

(1) Vessels whose ownership is held by U.S. enterprises, organizations, or individuals;

(2) Vessels operated by U.S. enterprises, organizations, or individuals;

(3) Vessels owned or operated by enterprises, organizations, etc., which are directly or indirectly held by 25% or more equity (voting rights, board seats) by U.S. enterprises, organizations, or individuals;

(4) Vessels flying the U.S. flag;

(5) Vessels built in the United States.

Vessels built in China under items (1) to (4) above are exempt from payment. Empty vessels entering only Chinese shipyards for repairs, and other vessels recognized as exempt, are also exempt from payment.

Article 3 The specific collection standards for special port dues are as follows (rounding up to 1 net ton if less than 1 net ton):

(1) For vessels berthing at Chinese ports starting from October 14, 2025, the charge is RMB 400 per net ton;

(2) For vessels berthing at Chinese ports starting from April 17, 2026, the charge is RMB 640 per net ton;

(3) For vessels berthing at Chinese ports starting from April 17, 2027, the charge is RMB 880 per net ton;

(4) For vessels berthing at Chinese ports starting from April 17, 2028, the charge is RMB 1120 per net ton.

For the same vessel, the special port dues shall not exceed five voyages within a year. April 17 each year is the start date of the annual billing cycle.

Article 4 The special port dues for vessels shall be collected by the maritime administration agencies located at the ports where the vessels dock, and managed and used according to national regulations.

Article 5 If a vessel docks at multiple Chinese ports in the same voyage, the special port dues shall be paid only at the first port of call. For vessels docking at Chinese ports more than five times within a year, the first five voyages shall pay the special port dues, and subsequent voyages shall not be charged upon presenting the payment information of the first five voyages.

Article 6 The vessel operator or its agent shall truthfully report to the local maritime administration agency the construction country of the vessel, the flag it flies, the owner, operator, leasing situation, and the ports planned to be called in this voyage, seven days before the vessel is expected to arrive at the Chinese port, and pay the special port dues. If the voyage is less than seven days, the reporting should be made when departing from the previous port.

Article 7 The local maritime administration agency shall verify all incoming vessel situations. If there is suspicion of false declaration or omission of the vessel information listed in Article 6, the agency shall require the vessel operator or its agent to make up the declaration.

Article 8 Vessels that violate this method and fail to pay the special port dues as required shall not be allowed to handle the entry and exit procedures by the maritime administration agency.

If the vessel operator or its agent evades payment of the special port dues, the vessel shall make up the unpaid fees before the next docking at a Chinese port after having already left the Chinese port.

Article 9 The scope, standards, and commencement and termination times for collecting special port dues for vessels may be dynamically adjusted as circumstances warrant.

Article 10 This method shall be interpreted by the Ministry of Transport and shall come into effect upon its release.

Submitted to: Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Commerce, General Office of the Ministry, Research Office, Legal Affairs Department, Financial Audit Department, International Cooperation Department, and Maritime Safety Administration.

Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7560842750191518250/

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