The most complex problem of regulation by port services is definition of methodological approaches to establishment of tariffs for services in transfer of freights in ports. The most part of existing methods of formation of tariffs for services of seaports or isn’t suitable for practical realization in all ports of Russia, or actually brings much less benefits, than it was expected. One of the reasons of these tendencies is covered in lack of a uniform optimum method which promptly would cut expenses of seaports. In article value of formation of an effective method and tariff setting model in seaports is considered. Methods. Methods and tariff setting models in seaports represent various receptions and ways by means of which the enterprises of sea transport realize the purposes set by it and the chosen strategy of tariff setting. With a certain policy of tariff setting a certain model is inherent in each concrete enterprise, each of which possesses a number of positive and negative sides. It is possible to carry the following models to the most actual models: vertically integrated, model of independent producers of the port services, competitive model. The essence of each of the considered models of formation of a tariff gives the chance to identification of the most favorable conditions for development of uniform optimum model of formation of a tariff and method of calculation of cost of loading and unloading works. Results. Result of this work is the detailed analysis of the most actual models of formation of a tariff for services of seaports, identification of their positive and negative sides that is necessary for development of the uniform model, applicable Russia in all seaports.