Overview

• China will begin charging 400 yuan per net ton on October 14 under a measure approved by the State Council.
• The fees cover ships owned or operated by US entities, vessels with at least 25% US ownership, and ships built in or flagged by the United States.
• Rates rise to 640 yuan in April 2026, 880 yuan in April 2027, and 1,120 yuan in April 2028.
• Vessels pay on first arrival at a Chinese port, face no more than five charges per year, and remit through local maritime authorities under transport ministry guidance.
• The rollout coincides with similar US charges and follows new Chinese export controls on hi‑tech inputs that could be raised at the Trump–Xi meeting later this month.