US Port Fee on China-Built Vessels – Key Points (Effective 14 Oct 2025)

US Port Fee on China-Built Vessels – Key Points (Effective 14 Oct 2025)

1. Who pays  
   • Annex 1: vessels owned or operated by Chinese entities (PRC, HK, Macau)  
   • Annex 2: any vessel built in China, regardless of owner  
   Fees apply if either test is met; both can stack.

2. Fee schedule (per net ton or TEU, whichever is higher)  

   • Capped at **five port calls per vessel per year**.  
   • Exemptions: ballast voyages, U.S.-government cargo, voyages < 2,000 nm.

3. Cost example  
   A 13,000-TEU, 65,000-NT China-built boxship would pay up to **USD 1.56 M per call in 2025**, rising to **USD 3.25 M by 2028**.

4. Industry response  
   • Maersk, MSC, CMA CGM will **continue ordering Chinese-built ships** but redeploy tonnage away from the U.S. trade where feasible.  
   • Carriers are already negotiating **rate pass-through clauses** and rerouting strings to minimize exposure.

5. Action checklist  
   • Verify vessel ownership & build yard against the two triggers.  
   • Lock space early (3-4 weeks) to avoid simultaneous PSS + port-fee spikes.