整个航运圈都懵了，美国开征港口费，交不交，交多少，船主说了算

Core Points - The U.S. has officially implemented a new "port fee" for Chinese vessels, which has caused confusion among shipping companies due to a lack of clarity and manpower from the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) [1][3] - Starting from October 14, a fee of $50 per net ton will be charged for each U.S. voyage by Chinese-owned, operated, or constructed vessels, increasing by $30 per net ton annually for the next three years, reaching $140 by 2028 [3] - For example, the COSCO THAILAND, with a net tonnage of approximately 59,000 tons, will incur fees of $2.95 million per U.S. voyage, escalating to $4.13 million by 2028 if it docks five times a year [3] - Foreign shipping companies using Chinese-built vessels will face slightly lower fees, calculated at $18 per net ton or $120 per container, with similar annual increases [3] - The implementation of this new rule has been problematic, as the CBP has insufficient staff to enforce the fee collection, placing the responsibility on ship operators to declare and pay the fees themselves [3] - This situation raises concerns about potential penalties for underpayment or overpayment, as the rules are strict but the enforcement is lax, leading to uncertainty for shipping companies [3] Industry Impact - The new port fee structure is expected to significantly increase operational costs for shipping companies, particularly those using Chinese vessels, which may affect their competitiveness in the U.S. market [3] - The lack of clarity and support from the CBP could lead to operational inefficiencies and financial risks for shipping companies, as they navigate the new fee system without adequate guidance [3] - The situation reflects a broader trend of regulatory challenges in international shipping, particularly in the context of U.S.-China relations, which may lead to further complications in global trade dynamics [3]