The new foreign trade regulations that came into effect in August include：

Chinese government adjusts export tariffs on some steel products

Shipping companies add surcharges on GRI, PSS, VAD, CGS, etc.

Russia imposes export tariffs on 340 non-ferrous metals and steel products

Pakistan adjusts tariffs on many types of luxury goods and textile materials

India abolishes import tariffs on 7 organic chemical raw materials for pharmaceuticals

Myanmar eases import of epidemic prevention materials

Malaysia imposes anti-dumping duties on some Chinese products

Peru makes preliminary anti-dumping ruling on Chinese zippers and accessories

Saudi Arabia implements new rules on import control of fruits and vegetables

Ecuador Reduces Tariffs on 667 Products

China Customs Facilitates Outbound Applications for Biological Products for Therapeutic Use

Chinese government adjusts export tariffs on some steel products

On July 29, the latest news, China's Ministry of Finance and the State Administration of Taxation jointly issued the "Announcement on the Cancellation of Export Tax Refunds for Steel Products" (hereinafter referred to as "Announcement"). According to the Announcement, the export tax rebate for some steel products will be cancelled from August 1, 2021. The specific implementation time is defined by the export date stated on the customs declaration of export goods.

This is the second time since May 1 that the Chinese government has removed tariffs on some steel products.

Shipping companies add surcharges on GRI, PSS, VAD, CGS, etc.

Russia imposes export tariffs on 340 non-ferrous metals and steel products

Russia plans to impose a temporary tariff of at least 15 percent on steel, nickel, aluminum and copper exports from Aug. 1 through the end of the year to help ease domestic inflation.

• The minimum specific tariff rates are as follows
• - Copper: $1,226 per ton.
• - Nickel: $2,321 per ton.
• - Low-grade aluminum: $254 per ton.
• - Steel products: different rates for each type of product, including at least $115 per ton for hot-rolled steel.

Pakistan adjusts tariffs on many types of luxury goods and textile materials

The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) of Pakistan has announced new regulatory tariffs on a wide range of goods, covering luxury goods and a myriad of non-essential items, including chocolate, fresh fruits and vegetables, overseas coffee brands, soft drinks, stationery, hygiene products, and a variety of other products, effective July 1 of this year.

The Commission issued two statutory regulatory orders on June 30 stating the details of the new tariffs. SRO 840(1)/2021 amends the regulatory import tariffs for 599 items, while SRO 845(1)/2021 imposes a 2% additional tariff on certain categories of goods that were previously tariffed at 0%, 3% or 11%. As for goods with original tariff bands of 16%, 20% and 30%, an additional tariff of 4%, 6% and 7% will be imposed respectively.

On the other hand, the Commission significantly reduced the tariff rate from 20% to 6% or 7% for 2,436 tariff lines, mainly related to imported raw materials used in the textile industry. At the same time, importers of polyester, synthetic cut staple fiber and recycled cut staple fiber woven fabrics, as well as recycled cut staple fiber and artificial cut staple fiber yarn are only subject to a 2% duty.

In addition, the Commission also announced that 61 types of imported medical instruments and equipment used in the treatment of neoconiosis tariff exemption period, will be extended until December 31 this year.

India abolishes import tariffs on 7 organic chemical raw materials for pharmaceuticals

The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Tariffs (CBIC) of the Ministry of Finance of India issued the 35/2021-Customs announcement on July 12, abolishing import duties on seven organic chemical raw materials for pharmaceuticals, including six items of lecithin (Egg Lecithin, HS 29232090) and high cholesterol (Cholesterol HP, HS 29061310) The other raw materials used in the manufacture of Covid-19 test reagents will be exempted from duty until September 30, 2021.

After the outbreak of the second wave of the epidemic in India, the Ministry of Finance has announced the cancellation of import duties and GST on many products including medical oxygen, oxygen concentrators, testing reagents, active pharmaceutical ingredients (API), vaccine materials, etc.

Myanmar eases import of epidemic prevention materials

In order to facilitate the implementation of preventive measures for the New Crown Pneumonia outbreak, the Ministry of Commerce, in cooperation with relevant authorities, will allow the timely import of medicines and other medical equipment by sea or through border trading posts.

For the treatment of the epidemic required for oxygen concentrators (Oxygen Concentrators), will not need to apply for FDA certificates and import permits, and can be picked up in advance, without the immediate payment of 3% customs duties.

Some unscrupulous individuals are currently spreading false information on social media to raise market prices and cause public panic by forging official documents banning the import of drugs and medical supplies.

On July 12, the Ministry of Commerce of Myanmar issued Communication No. 12/2021, in which the Ministry of Commerce of Myanmar issued a letter stating that due to the rapid spread of the third wave of the new pneumonia epidemic, all medicines and medical equipment for the prevention and control of the epidemic and liquid oxygen, which previously required an import license, would be allowed to be imported without an import license for three months from July 12.

Malaysia imposes anti-dumping duties on some Chinese products

The Ministry of Trade and Industry of Malaysia has issued a press release stating that from July 20, 2021, Malaysia will impose an anti-dumping duty on imports from China and Vietnam of flat rolled products of iron or non-alloy steel (Pre-painted/Painted/Colored Coated Steel Coils), with customs tariff numbers 7210.70.1100, 7210.70.1900, 7210.70.9110, 7210.70.9190, 7210.70.9910, 7210.70.9990) for a period of 5 years at rates ranging from 12.06% to 52.10%, in order to protect the domestic steel industry.

Peru makes preliminary anti-dumping ruling on Chinese zippers and accessories

On July 14, 2021, the Committee on Dumping, Subsidies and Elimination of Non-Tariff Barriers to Trade of the National Institute for the Protection of Competition and Intellectual Property of Peru published in the official daily El Peruano Notice No. 205-2021/CDB-INDECOPI, imposing a preliminary anti-dumping ruling on zippers and their accessories originating from China (Spanish: cierres de cremallera y sus partes) from China, the preliminary ruling imposed provisional anti-dumping duties of US$4.84/kg on metal zippers imported at FOB prices not exceeding US$23.29/kg, US$2.11/kg on zippers of other materials at FOB prices not exceeding US$44.26/kg, and The provisional anti-dumping duty of USD 0.66/kg will be imposed on zipper accessories whose FOB price does not exceed USD 9.28/kg.

The announcement is effective from the next day of publication and is valid for 6 months. The Peruvian tariff numbers of the products involved are 9607.11.00.00, 9607.19.00.00 and 9607.20.00.00.

Saudi Arabia implements new rules on import control of fruits and vegetables

The Saudi Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture recently announced that Saudi Arabia will implement new import control regulations for fruits and vegetables from January 1, 1443 AH (August 10, 2021 AH). The new regulations will determine the type and quantity of fruit and vegetable import licenses according to local market demand, optimize the service and transportation process, and strict import license issuance requirements, with the aim of supporting sustainable local production, safeguarding product quality, protecting plant resources, facilitating the circulation of fresh fruits and vegetables, and ensuring food safety.

Ecuador Reduces Tariffs on 667 Products

Ecuador's Minister of Production, Foreign Trade, Investment and Fisheries Prado announced on July 9 that the Foreign Trade Commission of Ecuador approved the resolution to reduce the tariffs of 667 products (590 of which will be exempted from tariffs directly). Among the reduced tariffs, 328 kinds of products are agricultural production and agricultural processing machinery and equipment, while 254 kinds are various production materials and raw materials. The resolution will take effect on August 1. Of the 667 products, 590 will have their tariffs reduced to 0, 30 will be reduced to 5%; 20 to 10%; and the remaining items will have their tariffs reduced to between 15% and 25%.

China Customs Facilitates Outbound Applications for Biological Products for Therapeutic Use

The original announcement: 海关总署关于出入境特殊物品卫生检疫审批有关事宜的公告

Trade-related companies and individuals should pay attention to the latest changes!