U.S. Details Steep Port Fees on China-Linked Vessels Starting Oct. 14
00:00/00:00
Listen to this article
1x
Subscribe now
Listen to the full version
Listen to the full version
A container ship at the Port of Prince Rupert in Prince Rupert, Canada, on July 15, 2025. Photo: Bloomberg
The United States will start imposing hefty new fees on ships owned, operated, or built by Chinese companies starting Oct. 14, sharply escalating a maritime trade dispute between the world’s two largest economies.
The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has issued detailed guidance outlining how the fees — authorized under a Section 301 investigation by the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) — will be assessed and collected. The notice assigns payment responsibility directly to ship operators rather than to U.S. authorities.
You've accessed an article available only to subscribers
VIEW OPTIONS
Unlock exclusive discounts with a Caixin group subscription — ideal for teams and organizations.
Subscribe to both Caixin Global and The Wall Street Journal — for the price of one.
- RELATED
Share this article
Open WeChat and scan the QR code
- DIGEST HUB
Digest Hub
Back
Explore the story in 30 seconds
- The U.S. will impose significant new maritime fees on Chinese-owned, operated, or built ships from Oct. 14, 2024, with fees for Chinese-owned vessels rising to nearly $980 per container over time.
- China amended its shipping regulations to allow retaliatory measures against nations imposing discriminatory fees, in response to U.S. actions.
- Cosco Shipping, with 59% China-built capacity, will face annual costs of up to $60 million per vessel, but will not exit U.S. trade routes.
AI generated, for reference only
Who’s Who
- Cosco Shipping Holdings Co. Ltd.
- Cosco Shipping Holdings Co. Ltd. (中远海运控股股份有限公司) is a Chinese state-owned carrier giant expected to be significantly impacted by new US maritime fees. 59% of its container capacity is China-built, and it plans to continue deploying newly built, domestically constructed vessels on trans-Pacific routes despite potential annual costs exceeding $60 million per vessel.
AI generated, for reference only
What Happened When
- April 2024：
- The U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) launched a Section 301 investigation into China’s shipbuilding, logistics, and maritime equipment sectors.
- February 2025：
- USTR proposed penalties on Chinese shipbuilders and logistics firms.
- April 2025：
- USTR officially announced the rollout of new maritime fees targeting Chinese-owned, operated, or built ships.
- May 2025：
- A 90-day tariff suspension temporarily put the new levies on hold during renewed U.S.-China trade talks.
- August 2025：
- USTR confirmed that U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) would proceed with enforcing the new maritime trade measures.
- September 16, 2025：
- Cosco Shipping Holdings Co. Ltd. issued a client advisory acknowledging the operational impact of the new U.S. policy.
- September 28, 2025：
- China's State Council amended international shipping regulations to enable countermeasures.
AI generated, for reference only
- PODCAST
- MOST POPULAR
Sign in with Google
Sign in with Facebook
Sign in with 财新