China Responds to USTR with New Special Port Dues on U.S.-Linked Vessels Effective 14 October 2025, China’s Ministry of Transport introduced new port dues targeting vessels with U.S. ties, a direct response to USTR’s Section 301 measures. Articles Shirley Wu Published: October 15, 2025 Contact author Download article pdf On 10 October 2025, the Ministry of Transport of China announced the imposition of special port dues on vessels with significant U.S. connections, with effect from 14 October 2025.  Whilst this measure responds to U.S. port fee actions under Section 301 announced by the United States Trade Representative (USTR) on 17 April 2025, and is said to aim at safeguarding China’s maritime interests, the impact has the potential to be far more wide reaching given the role of the U.S. stock exchange and U.S. private equity. The implementation of the counter measure will further impact voyage planning and cost structures for affected operators. This article provides a short summary of the key highlights of the new measure for Members’ guidance. Scope of Application The special port dues apply to vessels: owned or operated by U.S. enterprises, other organisations or individuals; owned or operated by enterprises, other organisations in which US enterprises, other organisations or individuals directly or indirectly hold 25% or more of its equity, voting rights or board representation flying the U.S. flag; or built in the United States. The following key questions remain unresolved: Definition of “US enterprises, other organisations and individuals” and “U.S.-based” What exactly constitutes these terms? Under the USTR Port Fees regime, the U.S. has looked beyond a company’s place of incorporation. It is expected that Chinese authorities will adopt a similar approach, considering other forms of registration, business presence, and economic substance when determining applicability of the Chinese Countermeasures. Criteria for identifying vessels “owned” or “opera