---
title: China to Impose a New Port Surcharge on U.S. Ships Starting October 14
description: China will introduce a new port surcharge on U.S.-linked vessels beginning October 14, 2025, with rates set to rise annually through 2028.
---

[Trade News](https://blog.coleintl.com/tradenews)

# [China to Impose a New Port Surcharge on U.S. Ships Starting October 14](https://blog.coleintl.com/tradenews/china-to-impose-a-new-port-surcharge-on-us-ships-starting-october-14)

 Written by [Cole Marketing](https://blog.coleintl.com/tradenews/author/cole-marketing) | Oct 10, 2025, 6:59:12 PM

**Businesses with supply chains linking the U.S. and China are preparing for another shift that could affect vessel operations and freight rates.**

China’s Ministry of Transport announced that, as of October 14, 2025, a new port surcharge will be [imposed on U.S.-linked vessels](https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/china-hit-us-ships-with-additional-port-fees-october-14-2025-10-10/) when calling at Chinese ports.

The fee is set at ¥400 per net tonnage per voyage, with increases expected each April over the next three years.

The surcharge will apply to a maximum of [five voyages per vessel](https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202510/10/WS68e8eed7a310f735438b4469.html) per year.

Moreover, if a vessel visits multiple Chinese ports during the same voyage, the fee will only be charged once. 

This measure mirrors the U.S. decision to impose new port fees on Chinese-built, owned, or operated vessels, which will also take effect on October 14.

## **Vessels subject to the new port surcharge**

The new surcharge will apply to:

- Ships owned by U.S. entities
- Ships operated by U.S. companies
- Ships carrying the U.S. flag
- Ships with more than 25% U.S. ownership

## **Surcharge increase schedule**

China’s new port surcharges will rise in stages, with adjustments scheduled as follows:

- **October 14, 2025:** ¥400 per net tonnage per voyage (~US$56)
- **April 2026:** ¥640 per net tonnage per voyage (~US$90)
- **April 2027:** ¥880 per net tonnage per voyage (~US$124)
- **April 2028:** ¥1,120 per net tonnage per voyage (~US$157)

## **How Cole International can help**

At Cole International, we constantly monitor changing trade regulations and offer [customs and compliance consulting](https://www.coleintl.com/services/trade-consulting/customs-compliance/)services to help businesses navigate these changes.

Additionally, we provide timely and efficient [customs brokerage services](https://www.coleintl.com/u-s-customs-brokerage/) to help U.S. importers streamline their customs clearance processes.

**For more information about this update and how it may impact your operations, reach out to one of** [**our trade professionals**](https://www.coleintl.com/contact-us).

[View full post](https://blog.coleintl.com/tradenews/china-to-impose-a-new-port-surcharge-on-us-ships-starting-october-14)

```json
{
  "@context" : "http://schema.org",
  "@type" : "BlogPosting",
  "author" : {
    "@type" : "Person",
    "name" : "Cole Marketing"
  },
  "dateModified" : "2025-10-10T18:59:12.305Z",
  "datePublished" : "2025-10-10T18:59:12Z",
  "headline" : "China to Impose a New Port Surcharge on U.S. Ships Starting October 14",
  "image" : {
    "@type" : "ImageObject",
    "height" : 500,
    "url" : "https://info.coleintl.com/hubfs/Images/Trade%20News%20pictures/Freight-3.png",
    "width" : 1000
  },
  "mainEntityOfPage" : "https://blog.coleintl.com/tradenews/china-to-impose-a-new-port-surcharge-on-us-ships-starting-october-14",
  "publisher" : {
    "@type" : "Organization",
    "logo" : {
      "@type" : "ImageObject",
      "height" : 60,
      "url" : "/hs/hsstatic/content_shared_assets/static-1.4092/img/default-amp-logo.png",
      "width" : 60
    },
    "name" : "Trade News"
  }
}
```