Trade Regulation Updates

On April 17, 2025, the US Trade Representative initiated two phases of action against Chinese-owned, operated, and built maritime vessels, instituting service fees upon arrival at a US port. The actions follow a year-long USTR investigation which concluded that commerce burden was present.

Phase One:

For Chinese-owned or operated vessels:

The fees will be phased in gradually over a three-year period and will be charged per net ton up to five times per year per vessel.

• April 17, 2025 to October 13, 2025 - $0
• October 14, 2025 to April 16, 2026 - $50 per net ton
• April 17, 2026 to April 16, 2027 - $80 per net ton
• April 17, 2027 to April 16, 2028 - $110 per net ton
• April 17, 2028 onwards - $140 per net ton

For Chinese-built vessels:

The fees will be phased in gradually over a three-year period and will be charged per net ton or per container (whichever is higher).

• April 17, 2025 to October 13, 2025 - $0
• October 14, 2025 to April 16, 2026 - $18 per net ton/$120 per container 
• April 17, 2026 to April 16, 2027 - $23 per net ton/$153 per container
• April 17, 2027 to April 16, 2028 - $28 per net ton/$195 per container
• April 17, 2028 onwards - $33 per net ton/$250 per container

For foreign-built car-carrying vessels:

• October 17, 2025 onwards - $150 per Car Equivalent Unit (CEU)

Phase Two:

For foreign-built Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) carrying vessels:

• Begin in 2028 and extend for 22 years, with incremental increases

Full details, including exemptions and applicable vessels, can be found in the Federal Register Notice.