The Club, and particularly our global offices in New York and Hong Kong, are closely monitoring developments in relation to the USTR section 301 Investigation and recent ‘reciprocal tariff’ announcements from the United States and China.
This page is designed to keep Members up to date with the latest industry information and updates from our correspondents and other recognised sources regarding developments in the United States and China. Please bear in mind that the situation is dynamic, and the operational status of these tariffs is subject to change at any time – Members are therefore advised to contact their local agents for the latest advice.
For further information please refer to your regular Club contacts.
The Revised USTR Plan to Impose Port Fees on Chinese Vessels and Operators
The Revised USTR Plan imposes phased fees on Chinese-owned, operated, and built vessels at U.S. ports starting October 14, 2025. It also includes long-term LNG shipping restrictions and potential tariffs on maritime equipment to promote U.S.-built alternatives.
Publications
UPDATES
16/04/25
Intertanko have recently published model charterparty clauses – please refer to the link in our External Resources section, together with links to commentary from BIMCO and Intercargo.
10/04/25
In response to the US government’s announcement on the 2nd April 2025 that Chinese goods exporting to the United States would be subject to “reciprocal tariffs” of 34%, the Office of the Customs Tariff Commission of the State Council, under the Ministry of Finance of the People’s Republic of China, announced that China would be imposing 84% tariffs on US goods from 10th April 2025; up from 34%.
As a result, from 12:01 p.m. on 10th April 2025, all imported goods originating from the United States will be subject to the additional tariff, applied on top of the existing applicable tariff rates. Imported goods originating from the United States departing the place of shipment before 12:01 p.m. on 10th April 2025 and imported into China prior to 24:00 on 13th May 2025 should not be subject to this additional levy.
The full implementation details are helpfully set out in our local correspondent’s circulars, listed below.
Members will be aware that the US government have subsequently increased their tariffs on Chinese good exported to the United States to 125%.
On 9th April 2025, President Trump announced a 90-day pause, placing all countries bar China, Canada, and Mexico on the ‘minimum’ 10% rate. In response, the EU have agreed to pause any retaliatory tariffs for the same period.
Shirley Wu, CEO – Hong Kong
External Resources
Resources
Announcement of the Customs Tariff Commission of the State Council on Imposing Additional Tariffs on Importing Originating in United States
Modifying Reciprocal Tariff Rates to Reflect Trading Partners Retaliation and Alignment
Amendment to Reciprocal Tariffs and Updated Duties as Applied to Low-Value Imports From PRC
