Effective on January 1! Please pay attention to the new foreign trade regulations!

1/ Cancellation of registration of foreign trade operators

On December 30, 2022, the 38th meeting of the Standing Committee of the 13th National People's Congress decided to amend the Foreign Trade Law of the People's Republic of China, deleting Article 9 that foreign trade operators should register with the relevant foreign trade departments and agencies of the State Council, and this decision will come into effect on the date of promulgation.

Enterprises engaged in import and export business no longer need to go through the foreign trade operator registration procedures, and the enterprises will automatically obtain import and export rights (they still need to go through customs registration to obtain customs declaration rights) .

2/ Import and export tariffs on some commodities will be adjusted in 2023

The Tariff Commission of the State Council issued an announcement that the import and export tariffs of some commodities will be adjusted in 2023. Starting from January 1, 2023, based on the development of domestic industries and changes in supply and demand, and within the scope of my country's commitments when joining the World Trade Organization, import and export tariffs of some commodities will be increased.

Among them, the temporary import tariffs on chestnuts, licorice and its products, large tires, sugarcane harvesters, etc. will be cancelled, and the most-favored-nation tariffs will be restored ; in order to promote the transformation and upgrading of related industries and high-quality development, the export tariffs on aluminum and aluminum alloys will be increased. From July 1, 2023, China will also implement the eighth step of tariff reduction on the most-favored-nation tariffs of 62 information technology products. After the adjustment, China's overall tariff level will drop from 7.4% to 7.3%.

3/ The revised version of the Special Goods List (PSR) under the RCEP Agreement takes effect

The revised catalogue of the Harmonized System (2022) issued by the World Customs Organization will take effect on January 1, 2022. Based on the revised catalogue and the consensus reached with other RCEP members, the General Administration of Customs has adjusted the PSR under RCEP. According to Article 3 of the General Administration of Customs Order No. 255, the revised PSR will be announced and implemented by the General Administration. The revised PSR will be implemented from January 1, 2023.

4/ The United States announced an extension of tariffs on 352 Chinese products

On December 16, the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) issued a statement announcing that the tariff exemption period for 352 Chinese products, which was originally scheduled to expire at the end of 2022 (December 31), will be extended by nine months to September 30, 2023, and will take effect on January 1, 2023. These products include industrial parts such as pump products and motors, some auto parts and chemicals, bicycles, and vacuum cleaners .

5/ Russia: Extension of preferential loan program for important import products

The Russian government website announced on December 24 that Russian Prime Minister Mishustin signed an order to extend the special program of preferential loans for important import products to the Russian economy until October 30, 2023. It is reported that the list of imported products eligible for preferential loans includes food, medicines, pharmaceutical products, vehicles, building materials, machine tools, agricultural machinery and electronic products.

6/ Spain imposes plastic packaging tax from January 1

Spanish media reported that the government will impose a tax of 0.45 euros per kilogram on single-use plastic packaging materials from January 1, 2023. The decree will increase the cost of the industry by 690 million euros per year. The Spanish government's tax on single-use plastic packaging materials will affect industries such as food, beverage, perfume, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, hospitality, textiles, hardware, and home appliances, as well as related semi-finished raw material manufacturers .

7/ Croatia officially switched to the euro on January 1

Starting from January 1, 2023, local time, Croatia officially adopted the euro and joined the Schengen area. After adopting the euro, the country will mark commodity prices in both its own currency, the kuna, and the euro, and the dual display of commodity prices will continue until the end of 2023. After joining the Schengen area, the country will cancel border controls at land and sea border ports of EU member states, and air traffic control will also be canceled on March 26.

2. Shipping and Logistics Policy

1/ Starting from January 1, all goods in Chittagong must be transported on pallets

To ensure smooth and safe operation of the port, Chittagong requires all parties concerned to palletize and pack all LCL and FCL cargoes as per the prescribed standards. Otherwise, the port authorities will take legal action against the non-compliance party under the CPA regulations, effective from January 2023, and may request customs inspection.

2/ Many shipping companies announced that they would suspend receiving cargoes to South China

Recently, Hapag-Lloyd's official website announced that the feeder operator in South China announced the suspension of feeder services from late December 2022 to the end of January 2023. This is a precautionary measure because there are epidemic prevention requirements for crew members sailing between South China and Hong Kong after the 2023 Spring Festival holiday. In addition, CMA CGM South China and Hong Kong feeder operators announced the suspension of feeder services from January 1 to January 31, 2023. This restriction will apply to cargo to about 30 destinations in January, including three destinations in Fujian Province (Fuzhou, Fuqing, Quanzhou), which stop at Hong Kong, Yantian, Nansha and Shekou respectively .

3/ The ETB-10 measure for heavy container reservation at Yantian Port is extended to January 21

Yantian Port will extend the daily reservation period for export heavy containers ETB-10 (i.e. within ten days before the expected berthing date of the ship) to January 21, 2023, so that cargo owners can arrange the shipping plans of factories and warehouses in advance. In addition, to ensure the export needs of customers, Yantian Port provides a daily reservation quota of 13,000 heavy containers for export, an increase of more than 8% year-on-year.

4 / Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach waive overdue detention fees

The Port of Los Angeles and the Port of Long Beach recently announced in a statement that starting from January 24, 2023, the "container overstay fee" will be gradually eliminated, which also marks the end of the surge in cargo volume at California ports. The port said that since the announcement of the charging plan, the total amount of detained cargo at the terminals of the Port of Los Angeles and the Port of Long Beach has dropped by 92%.

5 / Royal Mail International surcharges will increase significantly from January 3

Royal Mail has announced that it will make changes to international parcels and letters from January 3, 2023. Royal Mail's international surcharges will increase across the board, from 4% to 6.5% due to unfavorable changes in the pound sterling exchange rate . For business customers who sign up for a regionally priced international service, Royal Mail will increase the price of all traditional and regional products by 15-20%.