FMC Proposes $200,000 Fee on Spanish-Flagged Vessels and Restrictions on Spanish Imports
Published Oct. 15, 2026
Key Points
The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) proposes a $200,000 fee per voyage for Spanish-flagged vessels entering U.S. ports, along with import restrictions on five categories of Spanish goods.
- Affected categories include oils and fats, perfumery and cosmetics, ceramics, articles of stone, and sugar and confectionery.
- The FMC found conclusive evidence that Spain’s port restrictions have redirected U.S.-flagged vessels to Morocco.
- Proposed measures include potential vessel detention, denial-of-entry, and clearance restrictions.
- The commission is accepting public comments through December 14, 2026.
The
Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) has proposed a $200,000 fee per voyage for Spanish-flagged vessels entering U.S. ports and import restrictions on selected Spanish goods. According to FMC’s press release, the commission found conclusive evidence that Spain denied U.S.-flagged vessels access to its ports, which creates unfavorable shipping conditions in foreign trade. The accompanying Federal Register notice outlines the proposed remedies, including potential restrictions on imports of perfumery and cosmetics, oils and fats, ceramics, articles of stone, and sugar and confectionery. The FMC is accepting public comments through December 14, 2026.
$200,000 Fee on Spanish-Flagged Vessels
The FMC proposes a $200,000 fee each time a Spanish-flagged vessel enters a U.S. port from a foreign port. The fee is based on a similar measure imposed on vessels operated by Japanese carriers in 1997, when the charge was $100,000 per voyage. The FMC adjusted that amount for inflation to reach $200,000 in 2026.
The proposed fee aims to address Spain’s denial of port access to U.S.-flagged vessels. However, the FMC says the fee alone may not fully address those conditions.
Restrictions on Selected Spanish Imports
The FMC is considering import restrictions on five categories of Spanish goods to offset the impact of Spain’s port restrictions on U.S. carriers. The proposed categories and their 2025 U.S. import values from Spain are:
- Perfumery and cosmetics: Nearly $940 million, including almost $700 million in perfumes and toilet waters.
- Oils and fats: $1.15 billion, including $836.9 million in olive oil.
- Ceramics: $634.7 million, including $523.7 million in ceramic tiles.
- Articles of stone: $270.6 million, including $176.9 million in stone, plaster, and cement products.
- Sugar and confectionery: $138.8 million, mostly sugar confectionery.
The proposal covers all goods under HTS Chapters 33, 15, 69, 68, and 17, respectively.
Background: Spain’s Port Restrictions
According to the Federal Register notice, the FMC began investigating Spain in December 2024 after Spanish authorities denied port access to three U.S.-flagged vessels participating in the Maritime Security Program: the Maersk Seletar, Maersk Denver, and Maersk Hartford.
The FMC found that Spain’s ongoing restrictions forced U.S.-flagged vessels to skip Spanish ports, preventing them from delivering goods to Spain and carrying Spanish exports to other foreign markets. Before November 2024, Maersk Line Limited vessels averaged 7.25 port calls in Spain per month. In 2026, they made only six visits, while calls at Tangier, Morocco, averaged 4.17 per month.
The FMC concluded that Spain’s restrictions created unfavorable shipping conditions and disrupted U.S. foreign trade.
Potential Enforcement Measures
Under the proposal, the FMC could ask the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to:
- Refuse vessel clearance: For Spanish-flagged vessels with unpaid fees or any vessel carrying covered goods until those goods are reloaded.
- Deny entry or detain vessels: For Spanish-flagged vessels with unpaid fees or any vessel carrying covered goods to the United States, regardless of flag.
- Increase fees and expand import restrictions: If Spain retaliates against U.S. carriers or shippers through discriminatory fees, restrictions, service disruptions, or port-access denials, subject to statutory limits.
Public Comments and Next Steps
The FMC invites comments on all aspects of the proposed rule, including the scope of the import restrictions and their potential effects on shipping and trade.
- Comment deadline: December 14, 2026
- Docket number: FMC-2026-0463
- Federal Register document: 2026-21067
- Submit comments: Regulations.gov
The Commission will also offer Spain an opportunity to request a hearing concerning the alleged impairment of U.S.-flagged vessels’ access to ocean trade between foreign ports.
Importers, exporters, customs brokers, and logistics providers handling Spanish goods should monitor the proceeding for changes that could affect import eligibility, shipping arrangements, and sourcing decisions.
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