"Two-way travel!" China and 23 countries fully exempt each other from visas! Switzerland cancels industrial import tariffs to help companies reduce costs | New foreign trade regulations in February
New foreign trade regulations in February
Overview
China has fully exempted visas from 23 countries!
The new version of the "Tax Policy Guidelines for Stabilizing Foreign Trade and Foreign Investment" was released;
The Ministry of Commerce announced the list of import and export license issuing agencies in 2024;
No dual-use license is required for importing and exporting low-content triethanolamine mixture products;
Switzerland abolished industrial import tariffs to help companies reduce costs;
Brazil imposes import taxes on solar panels;
Indonesia relaxes import tax policy for electric vehicles;
Bangladesh allows deferred payment imports for some goods;
South Korea releases 2024 customs inspection plan for imported food;
Uzbekistan will strengthen quality inspection of imported photovoltaic panels;
India's CBIC requires BIS registration and random sampling of imported electronic products;
Georgia publishes technical regulations on food contact ceramics.
China has fully exempted visas from 23 countries!
On January 25, representatives of the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of the Republic of Singapore signed the Agreement between the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of the Republic of Singapore on Mutual Exemption of Visas for Ordinary Passport Holders in Beijing. The agreement will officially come into effect on February 9, 2024 (Lunar New Year's Eve).
On January 28, China and Thailand signed a visa exemption agreement for ordinary passport holders, which will come into effect on March 1. By then, Thailand's phased unilateral visa exemption policy for Chinese tourists, which began in September last year, will officially become a long-term arrangement of "two-way travel".
Thailand is the third country after Singapore and Antigua and Barbuda to sign a visa exemption agreement with China this year to benefit ordinary passport holders. So far, the number of countries that have such comprehensive visa exemption arrangements with China has increased to 23, covering five continents.
Citizens of two countries or regions that have concluded a mutual visa exemption agreement can enjoy a visa-free stay in the other country or region for usually 30 days as long as they hold a valid passport or international travel document stipulated in the agreement; but if the stay exceeds 30 days, or if they study, live, work, etc. in the local area, they still need to apply to the visa authority or competent department of the other party before entering the country.
The scope of comprehensive visa exemption includes not only diplomatic passports, official passports, official ordinary passports, etc., but also ordinary passports.
With the entry into force of the visa-free arrangement, people traveling abroad no longer need to go to embassies and consulates again and again before traveling, no longer need to prepare a variety of visa materials, and no longer need to worry about when to get a visa or whether they can make it to the travel time. Outbound travel will be more convenient and trade exchanges will be smoother.
In fact, visa facilitation measures are not limited to full visa exemption. At present, China has concluded visa exemption agreements covering different types of passports with 157 countries, and reached agreements or arrangements to simplify visa procedures with 44 countries. In addition, more than 60 countries and regions have granted visa exemption or visa-on-arrival convenience to Chinese citizens.
A series of visa facilitation measures have undoubtedly brought China closer to other countries. At the same time, more and more countries are providing various forms of visa facilitation for Chinese citizens.
A relevant official from the Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that China's confidence and determination to promote high-level opening-up have never changed. China welcomes friends from all over the world to visit China for tourism, business, investment and study, and will continue to work hard to provide more convenience for Chinese citizens to travel abroad.
The beauty of "go whenever you want", "come whenever you want", and "run in both directions" is waiting for you!
New version of "Tax Policy Guidelines for Stabilizing Foreign Trade and Foreign Investment" released
In order to give full play to the functional role of tax support in stabilizing foreign trade and foreign investment, the State Administration of Taxation has sorted out and updated the currently effective relevant tax support policies and tax collection and management service measures, and formed a new version of the "Tax Policy Guidelines for Stabilizing Foreign Trade and Foreign Investment" and released it to the public on January 15, to facilitate taxpayers to better understand and apply the policies and create a good tax environment for the development of foreign trade and foreign investment.
According to the relevant person in charge of the Policy and Regulations Department of the State Administration of Taxation, the new version of the "Guidelines on Tax Policies to Stabilize Foreign Trade and Foreign Investment" is divided into two major areas: policies to stabilize foreign trade and policies to stabilize foreign investment, and includes 51 specific contents. Among them, tax policies related to stabilizing foreign trade include 19 items such as tax policies on exported goods and services, value-added tax policies on cross-border taxable activities, tax policies on new forms of foreign trade, and measures to facilitate export tax refund (exemption) services. Tax policies related to stabilizing foreign investment include 32 items such as tax policies to encourage foreign investment.
Read the full text:
https://fgk.chinatax.gov.cn/zcfgk/c100022/c5220505/content.html
The Ministry of Commerce announced the list of import and export license issuing agencies in 2024
In accordance with the Foreign Trade Law of the People's Republic of China, the Administrative Licensing Law of the People's Republic of China, the Measures for the Administration of Goods Import Licenses, the Measures for the Administration of the Import of Mechanical and Electrical Products, the Measures for the Administration of the Import of Key Used Mechanical and Electrical Products, and the Measures for the Administration of Goods Export Licenses, the Ministry of Commerce announced the "List of Import and Export License Issuing Agencies in 2024" and related matters.
The full text is here:
http://xkzj.mofcom.gov.cn/article/h/fzjg/202401/20240103467624.shtml
No dual-use license is required for import and export of low-content triethanolamine mixture products
In accordance with the relevant provisions of the Regulations of the People's Republic of China on the Administration of Controlled Chemicals and the Implementation Rules of the Regulations of the People's Republic of China on the Administration of Controlled Chemicals, in order to improve the efficiency of import and export management of controlled chemicals, it is decided to optimize the regulatory measures for the import and export of some low-concentration triethanolamine mixtures from February 1, 2024. The relevant matters are hereby notified as follows:
Consumer goods such as non-medical disinfectants, synthetic detergents, cosmetics, inks, etc. with low triethanolamine content (see the attachment for details) have controllable non-proliferation risks and are not controlled items under triethanolamine (customs commodity number 2922150000) and triethanolamine mixture (customs commodity number 3824999950) in the "Catalogue of Import and Export Licenses for Dual-Use Items and Technologies". They do not need to go through the import and export approval procedures for monitored chemicals, and do not need to apply for import and export licenses for dual-use items and technologies.
Switzerland abolishes industrial import tariffs to help companies reduce costs
Switzerland will eliminate import tariffs on industrial products from January 1, 2024, hoping to reduce costs for consumers and manufacturers.
The scope of application includes capital goods, raw materials, semi-finished products, machinery and other products, as well as consumer goods such as bicycles, household appliances, and clothing, but does not apply to the import of agricultural products such as live animals, plants, seeds, and animal feed.
Brazil imposes import tax on solar panels
The Executive Committee of the Brazilian Foreign Trade Commission decided to impose import taxes on solar panels starting January 1, 2024, and will resume collecting import taxes on 324 related products within 60 days. In addition, Brazil has enacted a tax system reform bill to simplify the Brazilian tax system, and will also review the Mercosur common external tariff.
From January 1, 2024, imported solar panels will be subject to Mercosur's unified external tariff of 10.8%. To adapt the market to the new rules, GECEX has set up duty-free quotas that will decrease year by year until 2027. From January to June 2024, the quota is US$1.13 billion; from July 2024 to June 2025, the quota is US$1.01 billion; from July 2025 to June 2026, the quota is US$717 million; from July 2026 to June 2027, the quota is US$403 million.
Indonesia relaxes electric vehicle import tax policy
Indonesian President Joko Widodo issued Presidential Decree No. 79 of 2023. The relevant regulations stipulate that the government will provide financial incentives to importers of pure electric vehicles in the form of exemptions from import tariffs and luxury goods sales taxes. At the same time, the local parts content index (TKDN) of electric vehicles will be adjusted. Among them, the TKDN index of electric two-wheeled/four-wheeled vehicles will reach the goal of at least 40%, which will be adjusted from the original requirement of 2024 to 2026.
The specific standards are as follows:
① For electric two-wheeled/three-wheeled vehicles: From 2019 to 2026, the TKDN shall reach at least 40%; from 2027 to 2029, the TKDN shall reach at least 60%; and from 2030 onwards, the TKDN shall reach at least 80%.
② For electric vehicles with four wheels or more: from 2019 to 2021, the TKDN shall reach at least 35%; from 2022 to 2026, the TKDN shall reach at least 40%; from 2027 to 2029, the TKDN shall reach at least 60%; and in 2030 and thereafter, the TKDN shall reach at least 80%.
Bangladesh allows deferred payment for import of some goods
The Financial Express of Bangladesh reported on January 12 that the Central Bank of Bangladesh issued a notice proposing that in order to stabilize prices during Ramadan, eight key commodities will be allowed to be imported on a deferred payment basis, including consumer goods such as edible oil, chickpeas, onions, sugar and some industrial raw materials.
The facility will provide traders with 90 days to pay for imports.
South Korea releases 2024 customs inspection plan for imported food
On January 11, 2024, the Ministry of Food and Drug Administration (MFDS) of South Korea released the 2024 Customs Inspection Plan for Imported Food to ensure the safety and quality of food at the import (clearance) stage, strengthen safety management, and support the efficient operation of the inspection system and timely clearance. The main contents are as follows:
(1) Development and implementation of the 2024 Customs Inspection Plan for Imported Food.
a) Expansion of planned inspection targets: The scope of planned inspections will be expanded to include seasonal food products with large consumption (red snapper, yellow croaker, etc.) and candy products that arouse children's curiosity through toys;
b) Expanding the veterinary drug testing items for livestock and aquatic products: the number of veterinary drugs tested for cattle, pork, chicken, eggs and fish has been expanded from about 70 to about 150;
c) Strengthen on-site inspections: The focus is on false declarations of processed food or agricultural products for the purpose of customs arbitrage. The sensory inspection of agricultural and forestry products has been expanded from 21 items to 24 items, such as red peppers, coffee beans, coriander, astragalus, sesame, etc.; false declaration items (5 items): sesame, ground seeds, peanuts, rice, mung beans; In addition, on-site inspections will be expanded for imported seafood that may deceive consumers;
(2) Promote and improve the customs inspection system for imported food.
a) Shorten the inspection cycle of livestock products;
b) Expansion of the scope of expedited customs clearance for planned imports: To ensure a stable supply of food raw materials, the "Planned Import Fast Clearance System", which was originally only applicable to imported products from excellent importers, self-produced refined processing raw materials, edible flavors and other commodities, has now been expanded to include raw materials used to manufacture exported food; in addition, a tracking management system will be established for planned imports that have been approved for expedited customs clearance through false or fraudulent means.
For more details, see:
Uzbekistan will strengthen quality inspection of imported photovoltaic panels
On January 11, the Uzbek Cabinet passed the "Decree on Promoting the Development of Renewable Energy and Related Regulatory Measures", which stipulates that imported equipment and materials related to the use of renewable energy will be provided with 120 days of interest-free and deferred payment of customs duties and fees, and the interest-free deferral period will be extended to 6 months for importers with no bad violation records in the past three years; at the same time, the quality control of related imported equipment will be further strengthened. From March 1, the import of photovoltaic panels without quality grade indication will be prohibited, and relevant departments will be required to establish laboratories to evaluate whether imported renewable energy equipment complies with technical regulations.
India's CBIC requires BIS registration and random sampling of imported electronic products
The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) of India recently issued Order No. 28 of 2023, requiring mandatory BIS registration and random sampling of imported electronic products and IT products (including LED products and control devices) in accordance with the Electronic and Information Technology Products (Mandatory Registration Requirements) Order issued in 2012.
The specific implementation requirements are as follows:
1. In all cases, customs officials should check the product registration in the system.
2. The risk management system should randomly select consignments for sampling and alert customs officials through inspection instructions.
3. The samples drawn should be sent to a BIS approved laboratory for testing on limited defined non-destructive safety parameters in the IS standards applicable to the product.
4. For sampled cargo, Release Order (OOC) shall be provided only when the samples meet the standard requirements of the parameters defined in the test report provided by the BIS approved laboratory.
If the samples taken do not meet the requirements of the standard, such consignment may be returned or destroyed at the expense of the importer in accordance with current rules.
Georgia publishes technical regulations on food contact ceramics
Recently, Georgia issued Resolution No. 446, approving technical regulations on food contact ceramics. Some important provisions are as follows:
Established testing conditions and requirements for lead and cadmium migration;
Details the Declaration of Conformity (DoC) requirements for manufacturers and importers of finished ceramic food contact products;
Specify labelling information (Article 10 of Resolution No. 317 of June 5, 2018: on food contact materials and articles);
Emphasis on traceability requirements (Article 12 of Resolution No. 317/2018).
The specific requirements for lead and cadmium migration limits are as follows:
Source: Focus Vision, Xinhua News Agency
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