U.S. to impose port fees on Chinese-built ships starting October

shipping containers import export tariffs_Photo by Ralf Gosch via AdobeStock_91592445.png

Photo by Ralf Gosch via Photo by Ralf Gosch via AdobeStock

After weeks of speculation, the U.S. Trade Representative says fees on Chinese-made ships are on the horizon.

Starting in October, the U.S. will charge Chinese-built ships and operators based on cargo volumes. This will not apply to ships arriving at U.S. ports empty or those on shorter trips.

The fee will be $50 per net ton and will increase by $30 each year over the next three years. Leaders at the Ag Transportation Coalition tell AgriPulse the final list of fees is better, but not good enough, warning the cost to ship commodities, like soybeans, could go up.

Related Stories
Sen. Deb Fischer, of Nebraska, mentioned that Congress pushing through year-round E15 sales will do more to help commodity growers than more farm aid, which is currently a reality.
Sen. Moran joins us to discuss the farm aid package and the financial reality faced by row crop farmers in his home state of Kansas.
Grain farms still have strong balance sheets, but another stretch of low profits will force hard cost cuts, especially on high-rent, highly leveraged operations.
The new rule removes prevented-plant buy-up coverage, prompting strong objections from farm groups concerned about added risk exposure.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

Lawmakers and experts react to the Administration’s long-awaited announcement of “bridge” aid to stabilize farms and offset 2025 losses until expanded safety-net programs begin in 2026.
Read the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s official press release published on Monday, December 8, 2025.
Joe Peiffer with Ag & Business Legal Strategies advises farmers on end-of-year financial planning, including preparing records, avoiding common credit mistakes, and evaluating equipment purchases for 2026.
Lewie Pugh with the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) discusses the gap in truck driver education programs and how it impacts road safety and supply chain economics.
She joined us on Monday’s Market Day Report to share more about her new cookbook, “Dishes and Devotions: Make Every Day Delicious,” which recently hit #1 in Amazon’s Cajun & Creole Cooking category.