Bangladesh will soon require all customs fee payments to be made electronically, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council reported June 2. The ruling will apply to all fees greater than $23,500 as of July 1 and “regardless of amount” starting Jan. 1 The requirement will apply to fees associated with all the country’s air, sea and land ingress points, HKTDC said. Previously, only larger multinational and domestic companies were required to make electronic payments, which resulted in a mostly cash payment system that led to longer clearance times and added congestion at Bangladesh’s storage depots, the report said.

The Shanghai-based Xin Bai law firm released a May report on sanctions in China (see 2101110042), providing an overview and “practical information” on China’s evolving sanctions regime. The report lays out the framework of China’s sanctions legislation, including what types of sanctions it can impose, the scope of those restrictions, potential penalties, compliance requirements for businesses, and the export licensing and reporting process.

Current geopolitical issues, deteriorating relations and COVID-19 are making it “impossible” to continue relying on China, especially for small and medium-sized enterprises, a new report from the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry detailed. The group surveyed 189 Australian exporters and businesses, finding the difficulties with Chinese trade especially pronounced for small wine exporters. The problems stemming from the raising of tariff and non-tariff barriers by the Chinese government has made customer relationships incredibly difficult and “resulted in a complete cessation of trade.”

China is “firmly opposed” to President Joe Biden’s executive order bolstering prohibitions on U.S. investments in China’s military-industrial complex (see 2106030067), a Foreign Affairs Ministry spokesperson said June 4. “The U.S. government uses the catch-all concept of national security and abuses state power to suppress and restrict Chinese enterprises in all possible means,” he said during a regular press conference, according to a Ministry-provided transcript. Presidential EOs have “harmed not only the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese companies, but also the interests of global investors, including U.S. investors,” the spokesperson said. The White House didn’t comment. Biden’s EO prohibits U.S. “persons” from trading in the securities of 59 Chinese entities, effective Aug. 2 at 12:01 a.m. EDT.

The Singapore Customs TradeNet will undergo system maintenance June 13, 4 a.m. to 4 p.m., and June 27, 4 a.m. to noon local time, it said May 31. Singapore Customs advised users to avoid submitting applications during this time. This is in addition to the usual 4 a.m. to 8 a.m. Sunday maintenance.

Importers bringing power-assisted bicycles and motorized personal mobility devices to Singapore will need a Land Transport Authority license beginning June 28, the city-state's customs agency announced in a May 28 notice. Due to the passage of the Small Motorized Vehicles (Safety) Act 2020, imports under Harmonized System codes 87116091 and 87116092 will require the LTA license. The SMVA also makes it illegal to provide false information on an import permit application or to fail to comply with the conditions of an import approval. License applications are available on the customs agency's online portal, TradeNet. Import licenses for devices that are compliant with Singapore regulations will take up to three business days to process. Inporters of noncompliant device applications must first apply for an in-principle approval from LTA, then complete an import permit application.

Private electronic signatures may now be used in Korean Customs administration services, the Korea Customs Service announced in a June 1 news release, according to an unofficial translation. Beginning in December 2020, it became mandatory to submit a unique customs code when purchasing something directly overseas, leading to a near-monopoly in customs authentication. Due to the signing of the Electronic Signature Act, the Korea Customs Service will now provide a simple mobile authentication service as well as accept various private electronic signature methods.

China’s antidumping and countervailing duties against Australian barley have “effectively stopped” Australian barley trade with China, Australia’s trade minister said May 28. The country recently asked the World Trade Organization to establish a dispute settlement panel to address the duties (see 2104280050) but said it “remains open to further discussions with China with a view to resolving this issue.” Australia also said it will “vigorously defend the interests of Australian barley producers” through the WTO.

CBP's “claim of 'forced labor, abuse of crew members and withholding of pay' is fabrication that is totally inconsistent with facts,” China Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said during a May 31 news conference in response to a question about a withhold release order issued against the Dalian Ocean Fishing Company. The company “has never sold any products to the U.S., and there's nothing to detain in the first place,” he said.

Sri Lanka will waive duties on goods imported by companies or projects “representing an investment” of at least $50 million in the country, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council reported May 25. The measure, retroactive to March 6, 2019, will cover imported construction materials, machinery and other goods, HKTDC said. It isn’t yet clear how companies receive a refund for import duties paid since March 6, 2019.