New foreign trade regulations in July

Overview

 

The "List of Key Tasks for Pilot Free Trade Zones (2023-2025)" was issued

The Ministry of Commerce is making every effort to implement policies and measures to promote stable scale and optimized structure of foreign trade

The General Administration of Customs issued revised origin standards under Hong Kong CEPA

Brazil continues to impose anti-dumping duties on disposable syringes from China

Argentina releases imported food registration guide

Central banks of China and Argentina renew bilateral currency swap agreement

India implements footwear quality control order

Myanmar strictly prohibits private settlement of import and export trade

Pakistan lifts import restrictions

Sri Lanka lifts import restrictions on 286 commodities

Philippines releases RCEP implementation regulations

Kazakhstan citizens can buy foreign electric cars tax-free

Djibouti Port requires ECTN certificate

 

The "List of Key Tasks for Pilot Free Trade Zones (2023-2025)" was issued

 

The "List of Key Tasks for Pilot Free Trade Zones (2023-2025)" was recently issued, clarifying that in the next three years, the relevant pilot free trade zones plan to independently promote and implement 164 key tasks. Each pilot free trade zone will have 7-10 key tasks, including major institutional innovations, key development industries, important platform construction and major project activities.

The full text of the list:
https://www.gov.cn/govweb/lianbo/bumen/202306/content_6888317.htm

 

The Ministry of Commerce is making every effort to implement policies and measures to promote stable scale and optimized structure of foreign trade

 

The Ministry of Commerce spokesperson Shu Jueting said that the Ministry of Commerce is currently working with local governments and relevant departments to fully implement policy measures to promote the stabilization of foreign trade scale and optimization of structure, focusing on the following four aspects:

First, we will strengthen trade promotion and increase support for foreign trade enterprises to participate in various overseas exhibitions. We will continue to promote smooth exchanges between enterprises and business personnel. We will successfully hold key exhibitions such as the 134th Canton Fair and the 6th China International Import Expo.

The second is to optimize the business environment, increase financial support such as financing for foreign trade enterprises, and further improve the level of customs clearance facilitation.

The third is to promote innovative development, actively develop the cross-border e-commerce + industrial loan model, and drive cross-border e-commerce B2B exports.

Fourth, make good use of free trade agreements, promote high-level implementation of RCEP, improve the level of public services, organize trade promotion activities for free trade partners, and increase the comprehensive utilization rate of free trade agreements.

 

 

 

The General Administration of Customs issued revised origin standards under Hong Kong CEPA

 

To promote economic and trade exchanges between the Mainland and Hong Kong, in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Agreement on Trade in Goods under the Mainland and Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement, the origin standard of Harmonized System code 0902.30 in Annex 1 to Announcement No. 39 of the General Administration of Customs in 2022 is revised to “(1) processed from tea leaves. The main production processes are fermentation, rolling, drying and blending; or (2) the regional value content is 40% calculated by the build-down method or 30% calculated by the build-up method”. The revised standard will be implemented from July 1, 2023.

Original announcement:http://gdfs.customs.gov.cn/customs/302249/2480148/5080200/index.html

 

 

Brazil continues to impose anti-dumping duties on disposable syringes from China

 

On June 19, 2023, the Management and Executive Committee of the Brazilian Foreign Trade Commission (GECEX) issued Resolution No. 487 of 2023, in response to applications submitted by domestic Brazilian companies for the reapplication of the now suspended final anti-dumping duties.

The authorities decided to continue to impose anti-dumping duties on disposable syringes with a capacity of 1 ml, 3 ml, 5 ml, 10 ml or 20 ml, with or without needles, originating from China. The tax amount remains unchanged at US$3.99 per kilogram and will be valid until June 22, 2026. The Mercosur tariff numbers of the products involved are 9018.31.11 and 9018.31.19. This resolution will take effect from the date of publication.

 

 

Argentina releases imported food registration guide

 

Argentina's National Food, Drug and Medical Technology Administration has issued registration guidelines for imported foods, which must be authorized by the National Food Institute (INAL) and registered through the Federal Food Control Information System (SIFeGA).

From July 1, 2023, if you need to modify or re-register an import product certificate issued by ASSAL, you must go through the relevant procedures with the national competent authorities. In this regard, the relevant authorities will verify the background and records of the issuance, and conduct an assessment and issue an authorization.

For more details, see:
https://www.argentina.gob.ar/noticias/registro-de-productos-alimenticios-importados-autorizados-por-la-assal

 

 

Central banks of China and Argentina renew bilateral currency swap agreement

 

Nigeria, Africa's largest economy, recently passed new fiscal policy measures (FPM) for 2023, involving a number of import tariff adjustments and adjustments to the prohibited import list. In June, the People's Bank of China and the Central Bank of Argentina recently renewed the bilateral local currency swap agreement with a swap size of RMB 130 billion/4.5 trillion pesos, valid for three years.

According to data from the Argentine Customs, more than 500 Argentine companies have applied to use RMB to pay for imports, covering electronics, auto parts, textiles, crude oil and mining companies. At the same time, the share of RMB transactions in Argentina's foreign exchange market has also rapidly risen to a record 28% in recent days.

 

 

 

 

India implements footwear quality control order

 

At the beginning of the year, due to the continued need to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Office of the United States Trade Representative decided to extend the 301 tariff exclusion clauses for 81 medical-related Chinese products until May. India's long-planned and twice-delayed footwear quality control order will officially take effect on July 1, 2023.

After the quality control order officially takes effect, the relevant footwear products must comply with Indian standards and be certified by the Bureau of Indian Standards and affixed with the certification mark, otherwise they shall not be produced, sold, traded, imported or stored. The implementation date of the quality control order for relevant products and the Indian standards they should comply with are shown in the following table.

 

 

 

Myanmar strictly prohibits private settlement of import and export trade

 

On May 9, local time, the Executive Management Committee of the Brazilian Foreign Trade Commission decided to exempt 628 types of machinery and equipment products from import tariffs, and the tax exemption measures will last until December 31, 2025. The committee said that the tax exemption policy will allow companies to import machinery and equipment products worth more than US$800 million, and companies from metallurgy, electricity, gas, automobile manufacturing, papermaking and other industries will benefit. Recently, the Central Bank of Myanmar issued a notice to further strengthen the supervision of import and export trade. The notice shows that all import trade settlements must go through the banking system, whether by sea or land. Importers can purchase foreign exchange from domestic banks or exporters, and when settling for legal imported products, they must use the domestic bank transfer system. In addition, the Central Bank of Myanmar also issued a reminder that when applying for a border import license, a bank foreign exchange balance statement must be attached.

The Central Bank of Myanmar said in a statement that domestic banks have sufficient foreign exchange reserves and importers can rest assured to carry out import and export trade activities. Myanmar has always mainly imported raw materials, daily necessities and chemical products from abroad.

 

 

Pakistan lifts import restrictions

 

The Argentine government has decided to suspend the current anti-dumping measures on some products to facilitate domestic manufacturers to import raw materials needed to manufacture basic products and reduce import and overall supply chain costs. The State Bank of Pakistan issued a notice on June 24 to lift all import restrictions on food, energy, industry and agriculture in the country to meet the requirements of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to resume loans. The federal government has allowed banks to provide remittance services for all imported products.

 

 

Sri Lanka lifts import restrictions on 286 commodities

 

On May 9, 2023, the Mexican Ministry of Economy issued an announcement, making a preliminary anti-dumping ruling on rigid polyvinyl chloride (Spanish: película rígida de polímero de cloruro de vinilo, rígida de PVC/PVC rígido) originating from China, regardless of the source of import, and ruling to impose a temporary anti-dumping duty of 57.63% on the products involved. The announcement will take effect from the day after it is issued. Sri Lanka has lifted import restrictions on 286 items, including train carriages and radios, since the early morning of June 9. However, import restrictions will continue on another 928 items, including cars.

Sri Lanka's main imports from China are mechanical and electrical products, textiles and raw materials, and base metals and products.

 

 

Philippines releases RCEP implementation regulations

 

On May 8, 2023, the Ministry of Strategy and Finance of South Korea issued Announcement No. 2023-99. According to Order No. 992 of the Ministry of Strategy and Finance, anti-dumping duties will continue to be imposed on polyethylene terephthalate or PET film (PET) imported from China and India for a period of five years from now. According to recent reports by the Philippine media, the Philippine Customs Bureau issued the conditions for the implementation of special tariffs under the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (RCEP). According to the regulations, only imported goods from the 15 RCEP member countries can enjoy the preferential tariffs of the agreement. Goods transferred between member countries must be accompanied by a certificate of origin.

According to the Bureau of Customs, of the 1,685 agricultural tariff lines that will maintain their current rates, 1,426 will remain zero-rated while 154 will be levied at current most-favored-nation rates.

“If the RCEP preferential tariff rate is higher than the rate applicable at the time of import, the importer may apply for a refund of the overpaid duties and taxes on the original goods,” the BOC said.

 

 

Kazakhstan citizens can buy foreign electric cars tax-free

 

The Korean Ministry of Environment (MOE) has updated the list of pre-registration of existing substances under K-REACH. According to the latest list as of the end of the first quarter of 2023, 117 new substances have been added compared to the previous update. The State Tax Committee of the Ministry of Finance of Kazakhstan announced on May 24 that Kazakh citizens can now purchase an electric car from abroad for personal use and are exempt from customs duties and other taxes. When going through customs formalities, it is necessary to provide a valid document proving the citizenship of the Republic of Kazakhstan and documents proving the ownership, use and disposal rights of the vehicle, and personally fill out a passenger declaration form. There is no fee for collecting, filling out and submitting the declaration form.

 

 

Djibouti Port requires ECTN certificate

 

On May 11, 2023, the Dumping and Subsidy Review Committee of Thailand announced that in view of the interests of domestic industries, consumers and the public interest, it was decided to extend the suspension of taxation on Wuxi steel sheets and tin-coated steel sheets originating in China for another 6 months, until November 10, 2023, unless otherwise stipulated by the committee. The announcement will take effect from the date of publication. Recently, the Djibouti Ports and Free Zone Authority issued an official announcement stating that from June 15, all goods unloaded at the port of Djibouti, regardless of the final destination, must hold an ECTN (Electronic Cargo Tracking Note) certificate. The shipper, exporter or freight forwarder should apply for it from the port of departure. Otherwise, there may be problems with customs clearance and transshipment of the goods.

The Port of Djibouti is a port in Djibouti, the capital of the Republic of Djibouti. It is located at the crossroads of one of the world's busiest shipping routes, connecting Europe, the Far East, the Horn of Africa and the Persian Gulf. It has an important strategic location, and about one-third of the world's daily shipping passes through the northeastern edge of Africa.

 

 

Saudi SASO updates new energy efficiency application regulations

 

According to a report by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation on May 2, as part of the most powerful tobacco control action in more than a decade, the Australian government announced that it will introduce a series of regulatory measures to combat the further spread of e-cigarettes among young people. It is reported that although the Australian government explicitly stipulates that a prescription is required for the legal sale of e-cigarettes, due to poor industry supervision, e-cigarettes have become popular among young people in cities as a recreational product in the past few years. The Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO) recently updated the new regulations on energy efficiency applications, and the following regulations will be implemented from June 30, 2023:

(1) New energy efficiency applications are limited to applications through manufacturer or importer accounts.

(2) The application will not be transferred from the manufacturer or importer account to a third party (not related to the supply chain).

(3) Accounts that are not manufacturers or importers will be stopped from applying for renewal.

(4) The addition of suppliers is limited to manufacturer accounts.

Note: Starting from January 1, 2024, all accounts in the system that are not manufacturers or importers will be cancelled.

 

 

UK updates requirements for imported products, animals, food and feed systems

 

Saudi Arabian Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO) has issued a notice that new control requirements for some products will be added from May 10, 2023. When importers submit product batch certificate (SCoC) applications through the SABER platform, they need to attach an importer statement approved by the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources and commit to comply with the statement, otherwise they will not be able to obtain the certificate on the SABER platform. Recently, the UK Animal and Plant Health Agency and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs have updated the requirements for imported products, animals, food and feed systems. The main contents of the update are as follows:

1. Importers and import agents must use IPAFFS to notify UK authorities of the following goods before they arrive in the UK from EU and non-EU countries:
Live animals;
Embryonic products;
Animal by-products (ABP);
High Risk Food and Feed of Non-Animal Origin (HRFNAO);'
Products of Animal Origin (POAO);
Composite foods;
Plants and plant products.

2. Check the import rules and requirements. The import rules that must be followed include:
Live animals and embryo products from the EU;
Animal by-products and high-risk foods and feed of non-animal origin from the EU;
Products of animal origin from the EU: live animals, animal products and high-risk food and feed of non-animal origin from non-EU countries;
Composite products from the EU;
Plants and plant products from the EU;
Plants and plant products from non-EU countries entering Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

3. Import agents acting on behalf of importers must register with IPAFFS according to their own business scope. When a notification is made in IPAFFS, the import agent is responsible for the goods from the time they enter the UK until the authorities complete the inspection.

For more details, see:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/import-of-products-animals-food-and-feed-system

 

 

 

Source: Focus Vision
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