USTR Section 301 Vessel Fees

🚨 USTR Section 301 Vessel Fees –
 What You Need to Know 🚨
 
Barring an unlikely last-minute delay, the controversial USTR Section 301 Vessel Fees will take effect, tomorrow: October 14, 2025.
 
Despite strong industry pushback—including from Moran Shipping and other U.S. maritime stakeholders—implementation proceeds which means 𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘀 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗻𝗼𝘄.
 
To help navigate this, we’ve created a simple overview covering applicability, fee structure, payment methods, and exceptions.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗜𝘀 𝗜𝘁?
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) is imposing new port entry fees on vessels:
➤ Owned or operated by Chinese entities
➤ Built in China (regardless of ownership)
➤ Foreign-built vehicle carriers (Ro-Ro’s)

The fees are collected by the Pay.Gov website -but- calculated and paid by the vessel operator.

𝗪𝗵𝗼’𝘀 𝗔𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗱?
If your vessel arrives from foreign waters and must file formal CBP entry (19 U.S.C. § 1434), the fees apply.

EXEMPTIONS INCLUDE:
➤ Vessels that lighter cargo offshore
➤ Calls made only for bunkering/stores
under certain conditions
➤ LNG tankers (vessel type 132) are
completely exempt
➤ Annex II vessels meeting certain specs:
– Under 4,000 TEUs, 80,000 DWT (bulk),
or 55,000 DWT (other)
– Voyages under 2,000 NM from furthest
foreign port
– Arriving in ballast (no cargo or pax)

𝗙𝗲𝗲 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲
• Annex I (Chinese owned/operated): $50/NT
• Annex II (Chinese built): $18/NT
– Capped at 5 voyages per fiscal year
• Annex III (foreign-built Ro/Ro’s): $46/NT
– Modified from $14/CEU as of Oct 10th
– Capped at 5 voyages per fiscal year

𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗼 𝗣𝗮𝘆
• All payments via Pay.gov using the
Section 301 Fee Payment Form
• Must be made 3 business days prior to
arrival at the first U.S. port from abroad
• ACH from U.S. bank accounts only—
foreign banks must route through U.S.
correspondent accounts
• Confirmation email must be forwarded to
the vessel agent as proof for CBP entrance
💡 Note: You need your International Carrier Bond (ICB) number to pay.
↳ If you need one, we can help with that.

𝗞𝗲𝘆 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗧𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗴𝗲𝗿𝘀
• CBP determines nationality via Ship’s
Registry and COFR docs
• Fees apply at the first U.S. port only—not
every stop
• “Voyage distance” is calculated from the
furthest foreign port, not the last port
before the U.S.
📍Example: A Chinese-built ship loading in Singapore, then calling Mexico before arriving Oakland, would be charged based on the Singapore origin.

𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗧𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀
➣ Regulatory uncertainty remains, but
implementation is moving forward.
➣ We urge all stakeholders to prepare as
though these fees are permanent.

→ Need help evaluating your vessels or
getting your bond in place?
↳ We’re here to help. Email
AMS@moranshipping.com
→ For more info, comment below or DM us.