China's Ministry of Transport Extends Suspension of Special Port Fees on U.S. Ships

en.Wedoany.com Reported - On November 9, China's Ministry of Transport issued a notice announcing that, with the approval of the State Council, the collection of special port fees on U.S. ships will continue to be suspended, and investigations into the impact on the security and development interests of the shipping industry, shipbuilding industry, and related industrial and supply chains will also continue to be suspended, with the suspension period extended to January 10, 2027. This adjustment is a concrete measure to implement the outcomes of the eighth round of China-U.S. economic and trade consultations.

The documents whose implementation continues to be suspended include the "Announcement of the Ministry of Transport on Collecting Special Port Fees on U.S. Ships" (No. 54 of 2025), the "Implementation Measures for Collecting Special Port Fees on U.S. Ships" (Jiaobanshui [2025] No. 59), and the "Announcement of the Ministry of Transport on Launching Investigations into the Impact on the Security and Development Interests of the Shipping Industry, Shipbuilding Industry, and Related Industrial and Supply Chains" (No. 55 of 2025).

Previously, the Ministry of Transport suspended the implementation of the above three documents for a period of one year starting from November 10, 2025. This announcement extends the suspension period to January 10, 2027.

According to Announcement No. 54 of 2025, the original scope of application of the special port fees covered vessels owned or operated by enterprises owned or operated by U.S. enterprises, organizations, or individuals, or in which such entities hold a certain proportion of equity, as well as vessels flying the U.S. flag and vessels built in the United States. The originally planned fee standard was calculated on the basis of vessel net tonnage, set at 640 yuan per net ton starting from April 17, 2026, with phased adjustment arrangements to follow.

This suspension measure also covers the investigations into the impact on the security and development interests of the shipping industry, shipbuilding industry, and related industrial and supply chains. The scope of investigation previously announced by the Ministry of Transport included the impact of U.S. Section 301 investigation measures on relevant Chinese industries, as well as whether relevant enterprises, organizations, or individuals have implemented, assisted, or supported relevant restrictive measures.