TARIFF TRACKER
USTR imposes vessel fees and LNG shipping rules in the China maritime Section 301 case
USTR set phased service fees for Chinese vessel operators and owners, Chinese-built vessels, and foreign-built vehicle carriers, with several exclusions and remissions. It also set phased LNG export shipping requirements and proposed tariffs on ship-to-shore cranes, containers, chassis, and chassis parts.
Updated October 12, 2026
STATUS
Paused
·
EFFECTIVE
·
Section 301
RATE
20% to 100%
Chinese operator or owner vessels phase from $0 to $50, $80, $110, then $140 per net ton. Chinese-built vessels phase from $0 to $18, $23, $28, then $33 per net ton, or $0 to $120, $153, $195, then $250 per container discharged, whichever is higher. Foreign-built vehicle carriers are $0 until October 14, 2025, then $150 per CEU capacity. Proposed tariffs are 20% to 100% on containers, chassis and chassis parts, and 100% on ship-to-shore cranes.
COUNTRIES
China, Hong Kong, Macau, All countries
PRODUCT FAMILIES
Industrial machinery
HTS CHAPTERS
84, 86, 87
COVERED GOODS
Final action covers maritime transport services by Chinese vessel operators and owners, Chinese-built vessels, foreign-built vehicle carriers, and LNG export transport. Proposed tariff action covers containers under 8609.00.00, chassis under 8716.39.0090, chassis parts under 8716.90.30 and 8716.90.50, and ship-to-shore gantry cranes under 8426.19.00.
EXCLUSIONS
Chinese-built vessel fees do not apply to U.S. government cargo, certain MARAD program vessels, empty or ballast arrivals, vessels at or below listed capacity thresholds, short sea voyages under 2,000 nautical miles from a foreign port or point, certain U.S.-owned vessels, chemical bulk vessels, and Lakers vessels. Chinese-built vessel, vehicle carrier, and LNG restrictions may be suspended or licensed for up to three years tied to ordering and taking delivery of qualifying U.S.-built vessels.
WHAT TO DO (OUR GUIDANCE, NOT LEGAL ADVICE)
Ask carriers for the vessel operator, owner, build country, net tonnage, container discharge count, and vehicle carrier CEU capacity before pricing ocean moves. If importing cranes, containers, chassis, or chassis parts, check the listed HTS subheadings and China content or ownership facts because those tariff actions were proposed in this notice.
SOURCES
OFFICE OF THE UNITED STATES TRADE REPRESENTATIVE notice, 90 FR 17114 (April 23, 2025)
QUOTES FROM THE SOURCE
Effective date: "Effective as of October 14, 2025, a fee in the amount of $50 per net ton for the arriving vessel." (source)
Rate: "Effective as of October 14, 2025, a fee in the amount of $18 per net ton for the arriving vessel." (source)
Rate: "Effective as of October 14, 2025, a fee in the amount of $150 per Car Equivalent Unit (CEU) capacity of the entering non-U.S. built vessel." (source)
Rate: "Effective as of: October 14, 2025, a fee in the amount of $120 for each container discharged." (source)
Rate: "The U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) proposes to assess additional duties on the following products of China at the proposed levels:" (source)
Covered goods: "to include headings and subheadings 8609.00.00, 8716.39.0090, 8716.90.30, and 8716.90.50." (source)
Covered goods: "8426.19.00........................ Ship-to-shore gantry cranes," (source)
Countries: "the People's Republic of China (PRC), Hong Kong, or Macau on the Vessel Entrance or Clearance Statement or its electronic equivalent;" (source)
Countries: "certain service fees on the maritime transport services of operators of foreign-built vehicle carriers to be applicable on a non-discriminatory basis;" (source)
Exclusions: "The fees imposed in this Annex do not apply to U.S. government cargo." (source)
Exclusions: "vessels arriving empty or in ballast;" (source)
Awaiting check
Quotes matched to source text by machine; awaiting human check.
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