China fined CMA CGM, MSC, Hapag-Lloyd, and 16 other companies for violating regulations on freight rate declaration.

China fined CMA CGM, MSC, Hapag-Lloyd, and 16 other companies for violating regulations on freight rate declaration.

China's Ministry of Transport announced that it has fined nine international container shipping companies and seven non-ownership container companies (NVOCCs) after inspections revealed errors in freight rate declaration procedures or discrepancies between declared and actual freight rates.

Inspections will be conducted at the ports of Guangzhou, Qingdao, and Ningbo in August, September, and November 2025.

The penalties were announced on May 12, 2026, under Notice No. 1 of 2026 from the Ministry of Transport.

The container shipping companies fined include CMA CGM Group, MSC, Hapag-Lloyd, TS Lines Singapore, Wan Hai Lines Singapore, Sinokor Merchant Marine, Emirates Shipping Line, Evergreen Marine Asia, and Ocean Network Express.

The penalties were applied in accordance with Article 38 of China's International Maritime Transport Regulations.

Companies that commit more serious violations are also summoned to dialogue with the regulatory agency.

China's transport administration said it will strengthen inspections of international container shipping companies and NVOCCs' compliance with declared freight rates and rectify violations in accordance with the law.