China will levy a security charge on goods imported and exported through shipping ports starting on June 1 to cover part of the costs of new port security facilities, the Ministry of Communications said on its Website.

Since the amendment of the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea and the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code went into effect on July 1, 2004, China has invested a substantial amount of money to improve port security. Those upgrades have increased operational and management costs at ports, the ministry said.

The ministry said it has decided, in conjunction with the National Development and Reform Commission, to introduce the charge in order to continue on with the productive implementation of international treaties, and to learn more from the practices of foreign ports. The charge will be in effect for three years.

Importers and exporters will be charged 20 yuan (US$2.50) for each 20-foot container, and 30 yuan for each 40-foot container. No charges will be levied on empty containers.

Other goods will be charged 0.5 yuan per ton.

The ministry also said imported fertilizers and other specific goods will be exempt from the new port charges. The government will issue a list of such goods in the future.

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