U.S. Port Service Fee to Take Effect Soon! Maersk, CMA CGM, MSC, and COSCO Respond

1. Background

According to the announcement released by the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR), starting October 14, 2025, the U.S. will impose an additional port service fee on:

Chinese shipowners and operators

Carriers operating vessels built in China

This fee will be calculated based on the vessel’s gross tonnage or container capacity (whichever is higher), and is expected to add USD 300–600 per container.

Major global carriers have responded as follows:

COSCO Shipping Lines: Reaffirmed its long-term commitment to the U.S. market, ensuring stable capacity and high-quality services despite challenges.

MSC (Mediterranean Shipping Company): Announced it will absorb the additional costs without passing them on to customers, and has already restructured its vessel deployment network.

CMA CGM: Stated it has taken measures to ensure service stability and will not impose any USTR301-related surcharges.

Maersk: Confirmed earlier that it will not charge customers any additional fees, instead leveraging its global network to adjust vessel deployment.

2. Key Figures

Effective date: October 14, 2025

Scope: Chinese shipowners, operators, and carriers using China-built vessels

Estimated cost impact: USD 300–600 per container

Affected routes: All vessels calling at U.S. ports under this category

3. Potential Impact on U.S.-China Trade

Exporters

Increased uncertainty in shipping costs

Freight rates may remain stable with certain carriers, while others could be affected

Importers

Higher landed costs may occur

Potential disruptions in supply chain planning

Freight Forwarders & NVOCCs

Must closely track different carrier policies

Need to provide clients with cost-optimized route planning and carrier selection

4. Recommended Actions

✅ Plan shipments ahead of October 14 to avoid additional charges.
✅ Compare carrier policies to select the most cost-efficient solutions.
✅ Optimize clearance and delivery processes to reduce extra charges from delays or port storage.
✅ Stay connected with professional freight forwarders to get real-time updates and flexible logistics options.

5. Conclusion 

The upcoming U.S. Port Service Fee brings uncertainty to the U.S.-China supply chain. However, based on the responses from leading carriers such as Maersk, CMA CGM, MSC, and COSCO, the general trend shows that carriers are not passing the extra costs directly onto customers—helping to stabilize the market in the short term.

For businesses, the key lies in early planning, flexible carrier selection, and transparent communication to stay competitive and resilient.

👉 Concerned about how the new port fee may affect your U.S.-China shipments?
Contact Passionship International Logistics today for tailored solutions and the latest U.S. trade lane updates