MNI China Press Digest Oct 14: Port Fees, Imports, Retail

Highlights from Chinese press reports on Tuesday:

• Beijing has begun imposing special port fees on vessels that are U.S.-built or U.S.-flagged when calling at Chinese ports, according to an announcement from the Ministry of Transport. The Ministry clarified that Chinese-built vessels, empty vessels entering Chinese shipyards solely for repair, and other vessels granted exemptions upon review will not be subject to the fee. Under the new regulations, the Special Port Fee will be charged at CNY400 per net tonne starting Oct 14, 2025 and will gradually increase to CNY1,120 RMB by April 17, 2028. Each vessel will be charged for no more than five voyages per year and ships failing to pay the required fees will be denied entry and exit clearance at Chinese ports.
• China’s steady recovery in domestic demand is expected to drive imports to positive annual growth, following a 7.5% year-on-year increase in September, according to Cui Fan, professor at the University of International Business and Economics. Total imports for the first nine months reached CNY13.6 trillion, narrowing the decline during the first nine months to just 0.2%. On the export front, Cui noted that cumulative exports rose 7.1% year-on-year in the first three quarters, with September exports up 8.4%, coming despite a 16.2% year-on-year drop in shipments to the U.S., demonstrating overall resilience.
• Several leading e-commerce platforms have already kicked off their campaigns for the upcoming Nov 11 “Double 11” shopping festival, according to a report by Yicai. Sources indicate that Taobao’s Flash Sale platform will participate in Tmall’s Double 11 for the first time this year, offering more than 10 million free-order coupons to consumers. Zhang Yi, founder and chief analyst at iiMedia Research, noted that the integration of instant retail services into the Double 11 event is likely to intensify the subsidy competition among platforms. With food delivery companies expected to join the event, Zhang anticipates sharper price wars across categories such as daily necessities, baby products, and food. However, for small- and medium-sized merchants, business may become increasingly challenging, Yicai noted.