U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced implementation details for new Section 301 vessel fees under a Federal Register notice issued in April. The fees apply to vessels owned, operated, or built in China, as well as foreign-built vehicle carrier vessels, with Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) tankers specifically exempt. The responsibility to determine and pay these fees lies with the vessel operator, not CBP.

Effective October 14, 2025 – Fee Schedule

• Annex I: $50 per net ton or vessels owned or operated by a Chinese entity.
• Annex II: The higher of $18 per net ton or $120 per container discharged for Chinese-built vessels.
• Annex III: $14 per net ton for vehicle carriers or roll-on/roll-off vessels, regardless of ownership.

Major ocean carriers have announced that they will not initially pass these new fees on to shippers. Ahead of the new fees taking effect, many carriers have already adjusted their fleets, replacing Chinese-built vessels with alternatives to minimize exposure. In the short term, no major capacity or equipment disruptions are expected. However, as the market adjusts and demand recovers, carriers may need to revisit network planning to maintain sustainable capacity levels.

On September 28, China issued a decree expanding its authority to impose additional fees on vessels owned or operated by entities it deems harmful to China’s shipping practices. This move may introduce further complexity in future global trade and logistics operations.

Mallory Alexander is continuing to monitor these developments closely and will provide updates as official guidance and market responses evolve.