As a countermeasure to U.S. port taxes on ships connected to China, China’s transport ministry said last week that it will implement the new port fees on the same day.
Chinese-made ships will not be subject to the levies, according to state broadcaster CCTV, although China formally began collecting special port fees from U.S.-owned, managed, manufactured, or registered boats on Tuesday.
The information released by CCTV makes clear the precise clauses about exclusions, such as those for Chinese-built ships, empty ships going into Chinese shipyards for repairs, and other ships that are thought to be free from payment.
As a countermeasure to U.S. port taxes on ships connected to China, China’s transport ministry said last week that it will implement the new port fees on the same day.
Following the statement, U.S. President Donald Trump said that, in retaliation for China increasing its export restrictions on rare earth elements, he was enforcing export controls on essential software and increasing tariffs on Chinese imports to 100% effective November 1.
CCTV said that the yearly billing cycle would start on April 17 and that the special port fees will be collected at the first port of entry on a single trip or for the first five journeys throughout the year.
According to official media, if the fees are not paid, the ship’s import and export processes would be delayed.