Trump Team Puts Burden on Ship Operators as US Shows Port Fee Hand

CBP Shifts Compliance Burden to Operators as USTR Port Fees on Chinese Ships Loom

U.S. Customs and Border Protection has provided long-awaited details related to payments for the new vessel fees targeting Chinese maritime interests that take effect October 14. The fees, mandated under...

CBP to Vessel Operators: Pay USTR Fees Before Port Calls

Carriers face potential penalties and clearance delays as new USTR-imposed port fees take effect, with the industry bracing for a $3.2 billion hit in 2026.

US tightens port restrictions against China

The United States is set to enforce a new port entry fee regime targeting Chinese vessels, marking the…

Pay USTR port fees in advance or be shut out, US tells carriers

Those operating Chinese vessels face being shut out by US border officials unless they can prove they have paid the correct port call fee under the new US Trade Representative (USTR) system, marking the latest phase in seemingly ‘pay-to-play’ America. In an update on Friday, US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) made clear that “the burden for determining if a vessel owes the fee is on the operator, NOT CBP”. The update ... The post Pay USTR po…

Trump team puts burden on ship operators as US shows port fee hand

Responsibility for confirming a vessel’s owner, builder and operator will fall to ship operators, not US authorities

USTR 301 vessel fees determination – burden on ship operators

US Customs and Border Patrol releases details on payment of port fees for Chinese operated and built ships.