Beginning October 14, 2025, new port-entry service fees under the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) will take effect. These fees are part of a Section 301 action targeting Chinese-owned, operated, and built vessels, as well as non-U.S. built vehicle carriers. This means you may see additional fees on shipments.
Here is a summary of the key fee changes as of September 2025:
| Fee Type / Vessel Category | Starting October 14, 2025 Rate | Notes / Ramp Structure |
| Annex I — Chinese-owned or operated vessels | $50 per net ton | Phased increases thereafter (annual adjustments through 2028). |
| Annex II — Chinese-built vessels (non-Chinese operated / other) | Higher of: • $18 per net ton • $120 per container | Also subject to annual increases. |
| Annex III — Foreign-built vehicle carriers (Ro/Ro ships) | $150 per Car-Equivalent Unit (CEU) | Applies to non-U.S. built vehicle carriers. |
These fees will apply to individual U.S. port entry “strings” (i.e. a rotation or sequence of U.S. port calls) and will be assessed up to five times per vessel per year. The NTC (National Targeting Centre) will be directly involved in the calculation of fees after review of any exemptions.
We strongly encourage our customers who are trading to and from the USA to seek independent advice on what this means for your business.
We understand the introduction of these fees adds complexity and uncertainty, and we are committed to supporting you through this transition.
For more information, please visit the official USTR website.
If you have any questions, please reach out to us at [email protected]