Please Note: Quick Overview of New Foreign Trade Regulations for September!

Source: Public Online Sources

Domestic Foreign Trade New Regulations

1. Cross-Border E-Commerce Supervision

Starting September, cross-border e-commerce export enterprises that fail to complete tax refund declaration and foreign exchange collection between the next month and April 30 of the following year shall pay supplementary value-added tax (VAT). The General Administration of Customs (GAC) has canceled overseas warehouse registration, simplified document declaration, and imposed requirements for data authenticity.

2. Pilot Free Trade Zone (FTZ) Policies

Starting September 1st, the Regulations of China (Yunnan) Pilot Free Trade Zone will take effect. It promotes new business formats such as "one-place dual-inspection," border trade with on-site processing, and cross-border tourism, while optimizing cross-border logistics and financial services.

3. UAV Export Control

Starting September 1st, export control will be imposed on certain UAV-specific engines and anti-UAV systems. A 2-year temporary control will be applied to some consumer-grade UAVs, and unregulated civil UAVs are prohibited from being exported for military purposes.

4. Ore Import Standards

Starting September 1st, the national standard GB/T 20424-2025 will be implemented. The arsenic content limit in copper concentrates will be reduced from 0.5% to 0.3%, the mercury content limit in nickel concentrates will be tightened to 0.001%, and ores with natural radioactive activity exceeding 1 Bq/g will be banned from entry.

5. Qingdao Port VGM Declaration

Starting September 1st, export goods must declare the Verified Gross Mass (VGM) uniformly through the "Yungangtong" Platform. Declarations with an error exceeding 5% or 1 ton require re-declaration, and the enterprise shall bear port detention fees.

6. Formal Implementation of the Administrative Measures for the Certification of Certificates of Origin for Export Goods

On July 30th, the GAC released the Administrative Measures for the Certification of Certificates of Origin for Export Goods (GAC Decree No. 270). This measure applies to the certification management of non-preferential certificates of origin, Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) certificates of origin, and regional preferential certificates of origin, and will take effect on September 1st.

7. Reallocation of Agricultural Product Tariff Quotas

By September 15th, unused 2024 import tariff quotas for wheat, corn, rice, cotton, and sugar must be returned to the competent authority. For quotas that are not returned and underutilized, the 2025 quotas will be proportionally reduced.

8. Trade Remedy Investigations

Starting August 21st, an anti-subsidy investigation will be launched against imported dairy products from the EU.

On August 29th, a preliminary ruling found that EU brandy is subject to dumping (with a margin of 30.6%-39.0%), and no provisional measures will be taken for the time being.

Foreign Foreign Trade New Regulations

(I) Americas

1. U.S. Tariff Policies

Starting September 1st: Impose a maximum tariff of 15% on EU automobiles, pharmaceuticals, and other products.

Starting August 29th: Suspend duty exemption for goods valued ≤ US$800 via non-postal channels.

Starting August 18th: Impose an additional 50% tariff on 407 types of steel and aluminum derivative products.

Proposed to start August 27th: Impose an additional 50% tariff on Indian goods.

2. U.S. Customs and Ports

Strengthen origin verification for re-export trade to crack down on "false origin declaration."

Goods via postal channels shall be taxed based on ad valorem tax or specific duty.

Starting September: For reefer containers detained for over 4 days at the Port of Los Angeles, detention fees will be charged at US$200 per day (a 50% increase).

3. Canadian Tariff Adjustments

Starting September 1st: Cancel the 25% retaliatory tariffs on U.S. goods under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), while maintaining countermeasures on steel, aluminum, and automobiles.

4. Mexican Textile Rules

Starting September 1st: Under the IMMEX Program, the local value addition ratio for imported textiles will be increased from 35% to 45%. Non-compliant products will be subject to 20%-35% tariffs.

5. Brazilian Communication Product Certification

Starting August 23rd: Prohibit the sale of communication equipment that fails to pass ANATEL (Brazil’s National Telecommunications Agency) certification; market inspections will be conducted starting September.

6. Uruguayan Energy Efficiency Labeling

Starting September: LED lamps and incandescent lamps must comply with the standards UNIT 1218:2020 and UNIT 1159:2024, and affix energy efficiency labels.

(II) Europe

1. EU Tariff and Trade

Starting September 1st: Eliminate tariffs on all U.S. industrial goods and open preferential markets for U.S. agricultural products. It has committed to purchasing US$750 billion worth of U.S. energy products and US$40 billion worth of AI chips by 2028, and investing US$600 billion in U.S. strategic sectors.

2. EU Import Control

Starting September 1st: Phase III of the Import Control System 2 (ICS2) will take effect. For road/railway cargo arriving in the EU, an Entry Summary Declaration (ENS) must be submitted 4 hours in advance. Failure to submit will result in detention and a fine of €5,000.

3. EU Green Regulations

Starting September: The FuelEU Maritime regulation will take effect. Ships with a gross tonnage (GT) of over 5,000 must reduce greenhouse gas emission intensity; starting 2030, the use of shore power or zero-emission technologies will be mandatory.

4. UK Cosmetic Restrictions

Starting September 30th: The Cosmetics (Restricted Chemical Substances) Regulations 2025 will take effect, restricting the use of methyl salicylate in cosmetics.

5. Russian E-Commerce Supervision

Starting September: E-commerce platforms must display links to EAC/GOST-R certifications; food and pharmaceuticals must be traceable via "honest labeling." Violations may result in a maximum fine of 2 million rubles (RUB).

6. German Hamburg Port Adjustments

Starting September: Due to railway construction, the Port of Hamburg will adjust container railway schedules, giving priority to high-value goods. Delays for general goods will increase by 2-3 days.

(III) Asia

1. Indian Anti-Dumping Duties and Tariffs

Starting September 1st: Impose anti-dumping duties on Chinese polyester staple fiber for 3 years (at a rate of 18%-25%).

On the same day: Suspend the 11% import tariff on cotton until September 30th.

Starting August 14th: Impose anti-dumping duties on Chinese PVC suspension resin for 5 years.

2. Philippine Rice Imports

Starting September 1st: Suspend rice imports for 60 days. Only ≤50,000 tons of fragrant rice are allowed to be imported for specific processing purposes. Violations may result in a maximum fine of 1 million pesos (PHP).

3. South Korean Energy Efficiency and Declaration

By September 28th: Solicit comments on new energy efficiency standards for washing machines and air conditioners (proposed to take effect on November 1st).

Starting September 1st: Launch a new version of the import price declaration system, requiring the provision of pricing basis for related-party transactions.

4. Impact of Japanese Tariffs

Starting August 7th: The U.S. imposes a 15% tariff on Japanese automobiles and auto parts, while maintaining a 50% tariff on Japanese steel and aluminum.

(IV) Middle East and Africa

1. Saudi Arabian Automobile Imports

Starting September: Prohibit the import of automobiles that do not meet Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) safety standards. Imported cars must be equipped with airbags, ABS systems, and meet emission performance requirements under high-temperature and dusty conditions.

2. Iraqi Product Labeling

Starting September 15th: Prohibit the entry of electrical appliances and cigarettes without Iraqi quality marks and barcodes.

3. South African Trade Measures

Starting September 1st: Impose a 15% provisional tariff on imported steel for 200 days.

The U.S. African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) has been extended to September 2025, allowing over 30 countries including South Africa to enjoy duty-free exports to the U.S.

4. AFCFTA Expo

From September 4th to 10th: The 4th Intra-African Trade Fair will be held in Algiers (Algeria) to promote tariff coordination. It is expected to reach agreements worth over US$44 billion.

(V) Oceania (Australia)

1. Maritime Regulations

Starting September 1st: Revise Maritime Order 28. Ships with a GT of over 5,000 must be equipped with crew alcohol testing equipment. Violations may result in a maximum fine of 100,000 Australian dollars (AUD).

2. Mineral Resource Tax

The Minerals Resource Rent Tax (MRRT) will remain at 22.5%, levied on the profits of iron ore and coal mines. Chinese enterprises may claim tax credits in accordance with the China-Australia Tax Treaty.

(VI) Southeast Asia

Re-export Trade Control

Starting September: Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, and other countries will strictly inspect "false origin declaration" of Chinese goods. Re-exported goods that fail to meet the "substantial transformation" requirement will be subject to a 40% punitive tariff. (Requirements: Local value addition ≥40% / ≥50% for electronic products; production videos must be retained; traceability data must be connected to ASEAN platforms.)

(VII) Global Shipping and Ports

1. CMA CGM Freight Rates

Starting September 1st: Increase freight rates by US$250 per TEU (twenty-foot equivalent unit) for routes from the Far East to West Africa, and by US$150-200 per TEU for routes to East Africa.

2. Maersk Surcharges

Starting September 1st: Charge a peak season surcharge (PSS) of US$400 per 40-foot container (FEU) for U.S. West Coast routes.

3. MSC New Shipping Route

Starting September 15th: Launch a direct shipping route from China to Valparaíso, Chile, with freight rates 10% lower than existing routes.

4. COSCO Shipping Freight Rates

Starting September: For the Southeast Asia route (Singapore to Port Klang), the freight rate for 40-foot containers will rise to US$750 (a 20% increase from July).

5. Ningbo-Zhoushan Port New Route

Starting September 20th: Launch the "China-Europe Arctic Express Route." The voyage time from Ningbo to the Port of Felixstowe (UK) will be reduced to 18 days, and carbon emissions will be cut by 50%.

6. Singapore Port Pilot Project

Starting September: Pilot the electronic Bunker Delivery Note (eBDN) for ships, covering LNG (liquefied natural gas) bunkering, which will reduce documentation time by 70%.

7. Rotterdam Port Green Fee

Starting September 1st: Charge a green port fee for vessels berthing for over 3 hours, at a rate of €50 per hour for vessels with a GT of over 5,000.