US PROPOSAL TO IMPOSE PORT FEE FOR SHIPS MADE IN CHINA
Request for comments and notice of public hearing.
ATTN: ALL FULL MEMBERS
ALL TECHNICAL COMMITTEE MEMBERS
On 21 February, the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) published its proposed remedies under the Section 301 Investigation into China’s maritime, logistics, and shipbuilding sectors for consultation and comments.
While an official consultation is going to follow prior to the final decision the proposal includes significant port fees targeting operators using Chinese-built vessels.
Key Provisions of the Proposed Action:
- Service Fee on Chinese Maritime Transport Operators: Up to $1,000,000 per vessel entry into a U.S. port or up to $1,000 per net ton of the vessel’s capacity per entry.
- Port Entry Fee for Chinese-Built Ships: Up to $1,500,000 per vessel for operators engaged in international maritime transport entering U.S. ports with Chinese-built ships.
- Service Fee on Vessel Orders in Chinese Shipyards: Up to $1,000,000 per port call, applied to maritime transport operators based on percentage of vessels on order from Chinese shipyards.
- Service Fee Remission for U.S.-Built Vessels: Operators may receive a refund of up to $1,000,000 per U.S. port entry for using U.S.-built vessels.
Details on proposed fee structure under consultation, are included in the attached USTR document outlining the proposed measures.
Consultation and Next Steps:
- The USTR will hold an in-person hearing in Washington on 24 March 2025.
- The deadline for written comments is 24 March 2025.
- The deadline to request a speaking slot at the hearing is 10 March 2025.
For reference, please find attached:
- The full document issued by the USTR on the proposed measures.
- Comments submitted by the European Union to USTR (April 2024).
- The European Community Shipowners’ Associations (ECSA) submission (May 2024).
More information can be found on the USTR website.
Members are encouraged to review the proposal and consider potential impacts on operations. Please feel free to provide feedback.
