The United States did almost exactly the same thing, by imposing port fees on Chinese vessels months ago under Section 301 of the Trade Act, as part of its ongoing trade dispute with China. Specifically, in April 2025, the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) introduced a service fee…
— Business Nesting (@BusinessNesting) October 10, 2025
Not good this will shoot costs by 30% shorterm
Right before the holidays https://t.co/bybinKJImV
— 👁 (@Oculustrade) October 10, 2025
HONG KONG (AP) — China has hit U.S.-owned vessels docking in the country with tit-for-tat port fees, in response to the American government’s planned port fees on Chinese ships, expanding a string of retaliatory measures before trade talks between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping.
Vessels owned or operated by American companies or individuals, and ships built in the U.S. or flying the American flag, would be subjected to a 400 yuan ($56) per net ton fee per voyage if they dock in China, China’s Ministry of Transport said on Friday.
The fees would be applied on the same ship for a maximum of five voyages each year, and would rise every year until 2028, when it would hike to 1,120 yuan ($157) per net ton, the ministry said. They would take effect on Oct. 14, the same day when the United States is due to start imposing port fees on Chinese vessels.