US suspends Chinese vessel port fees for 2 months, will accept public comment

The US Trade Representative (USTR) will take public comment through 30 October and is suspending the implementation of port fees for Chinese vessels by two months as officials from both countries continue to negotiate broader trade issues.

The new fees were set to take effect on 10 November after the US and China agreed in November 2025 to suspend tit-for-tat maritime charges for one year as part of a broader trade agreement. They will now take effect on 9 January if no other agreement is reached.

The temporary suspension means that no parties will accrue liability for, or be required to pay, the transport service fees or associated product duties during the extended window.

The US initially targeted the fees for ships owned, operated, or built in China in October 2025, prompting China to enact similar charges for US-linked ships entering Chinese ports.

This story was originally published by Hellenic Shipping News. Read the full story at Hellenic Shipping News →