by Lloyd's List
BEIJING has published implementation rules for its newly announced special port fees, a measure billed as a ‘reciprocal response’ to US levies targeting Chinese maritime interests.
The detailed regulations, released on Tuesday by China’s Ministry of Transport, outline who will be subject to the charges, how fees will be calculated, and confirmed a 25% US-ownership threshold that could draw in a wide spectrum of the world’s fleet.
Coming shortly after the measure takes effect on October 14, the rules operationalise China’s tit-for-tat approach by imposing phased fees that will rise from Yuan400 ($56) per net tonne initially to Yuan1,120 by April 2028.
Incentives and exemptions
Notably, vessels built in China are exempt from the special port fee, a move that could encourage shipowners to strengthen ties with Chinese shipyards and reduce the number of ships affected..
The regulation also waives the charge for empty vessels calling at Chinese shipyards solely for repair, as well as for other ships granted relief by the authorities, though no further details were provided.
Provisions that appeared in an earlier leaked draft — such as temporary fee waivers for shipowners placing newbuilding orders in China, and exclusions for humanitarian or disaster‑relief operations — are missing from the official version.
Lloyd’s List understands that further details remain under discussion and are expected to be released at a later stage.
Compliance and enforcement
China’s maritime authorities will handle enforcement.
Shipping companies or their local agents must file declarations at least seven days before arrival through China’s maritime or trade “single‑window” platforms. For voyages of less than seven days, the declaration must be made upon departure from the previous port.
Information required includes the vessel’s country of construction, flag state, owner, operator, leasing arrangement, and intended Chinese ports of call.
Fees will be collected by local maritime authorities. The charges apply only once per call and are capped at five voyages per vessel per year, mirroring aspects of the US system.
Companies submitting false declarations or failing to pay face potential fines and port access restrictions, according to officials.
Broad reach through 25% ownership rule
Beyond US-built or US-flagged ships, Beijing’s levies extend to any vessel owned or operated by entities in which US individuals or organisations hold 25% or more of equity, voting rights, or board seats.
However, the Ministry of Transport has not provided further clarification — for instance, whether the 25% threshold applies to a single US shareholder or to aggregate ownership.
At the same time, the ministry has not announced exemptions based on vessel type or size, raising concerns among traders that the broadened scope could ensnare large tankers and dry bulkers, potentially increasing commodity import costs and impacting China’s own trade flows.
The rollout adds new complexity to maritime operations, as parallel fee regimes in the two largest economies could elevate costs and compliance burdens for shipping and trading companies worldwide.
