China’s General Administration of Customs eliminated import inspection surveillance for certain fabrics, adult garments, textile machinery and cold-rolled steel, according to a Jan. 15 report from the Hong Kong Trade Development Council. The change took effect Jan. 1.

Malaysia’s amended trade and customs-related legislation took effect Jan. 1, according to a Jan. 10 Baker McKenzie post. The changes include replacing the country's customs regulations and free-trade zone regulations and introducing a new format for customs declaration forms. Other changes include the Customs Act of 2019, which increases the power of customs authority to enforce customs laws, collect underpaid duties and penalize non-compliant entities. Malaysia also created record-keeping requirements for a period of seven years for certain importation and exportation activities in free-trade zones. In addition, Malaysia customs now has the ability to offset “any amount of drawback or refund” that is due against “any unpaid amount of customs duty, excise duty, sales tax, service tax … or any other money payable.”

Taiwan will increase inspections of imports of U.S. fresh blueberries and onions this year, according to a U.S. Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service report released Jan. 15. Both will be subject to a “heightened 20 to 50 percent import inspection rate before quarantine clearance,” the USDA said. As part of the change, Taiwan removed U.S. lettuce from the increased inspection list. The changes took effect Jan. 1 and last until Dec. 31.

Indonesia reduced its total permitted “daily duty free per allowance” for e-commerce imports, according to Jan. 13 report from the Hong Kong Trade Development Council. The number was reduced to $3 from $75 as of Jan. 1, the report said, and is aimed at protecting domestic production for items that include clothing, footwear and bags. In addition, the items “valued above the new threshold” are liable for import duty, including anywhere from 15 percent to 25 percent for clothing, 25 percent to 30 percent for footwear, and 15 percent to 20 percent for bags, the report said. All other items will be subject to a 7.5 percent import tax, and all imports are subject to a 10 percent value-added tax rate.

China’s Foreign Ministry criticized the U.S.’s decision to impose more Iran sanctions last week, saying the measures, which affected some Chinese entities, should be reversed. Along with Iranian officials and metal companies, the U.S. sanctions targeted a Beijing-based company for buying Iranian steel and a China-based company for managing a vessel that transported the steel (see 2001100050). “We urge the U.S. to cease immediately the wrongful sanctions on Chinese businesses,” a ministry spokesman said during a Jan. 13 press conference. “We will continue to staunchly defend Chinese enterprises' legitimate rights and interests.” China said it has been dealing with Iran for a “long time” and “such cooperation, which is justified and lawful and doesn't harm any third party's interests, should be respected and protected.”

The Food and Hotel Hanoi Trade Show in November is expecting about 150 exhibitors and more than 9,000 attendees in what is projected to be the “most comprehensive trading platform in the region,” the U.S. Department of Agriculture said in a Jan. 13 emailed press release. The USDA, which is endorsing the trade show, said the show will offer opportunities for U.S. exports to North Vietnam’s “expanding food and hospitality industry.” The agency said companies can register for the trade show’s USDA Pavilion, which offers “greater visibility on the trade show floor” and “cost-effective opportunities for developing new export markets.” To register, companies can contact the USA Pavilion organizer at maiken@oakoverseas.com or at +1 704-837-1980, ext. 303.

China’s latest draft of its export control law (see 1912260029) represents the country’s first “comprehensive and consolidated” export control legislation and includes regulations for end-user statements, increased penalties and more, according to a Jan. 9 post from Baker McKenzie.

The Philippines will eliminate its import restrictions on food produced in Japan’s Fukushima region, Japan said Jan. 9, according to an unofficial translation of a Ministry of Foreign Affairs press release. Japan said the Philippines had previously required a “radioactive material inspection report” for Japanese food imports, which will now no longer be required, Japan said. Japan has implored countries to reduce restrictions created to guard against possible food-related radiation contamination from Japan’s Fukushima nuclear power plant disaster in 2011 (see 1911010030).

Publicly listed companies in Malaysia will be required to adopt anti-corruption measures detailed in the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act by June 1, according to a Jan. 9 report from the Hong Kong Trade Development Council. The measures will require companies to establish “clear procedures” for reporting corruption and review the “effectiveness” of their policies at least once every three years, the report said. The measures are aimed at promoting “better corporate governance” in Malaysia to establish a “culture of ethical behaviour within listed companies and their group entities.”

China recently amended its declaration requirements for goods entering and exiting special customs supervision areas under free trade agreements, according to a Jan. 10 report from the Hong Kong Trade Development Council. The changes, which took effect Jan. 1, aim to simplify the filing procedures for “conventional or preferential rates” by allowing the imported goods’ consignee or agent to no longer have to fill out China’s Customs Declaration Form or the Record-Filing List for Inbound Goods, the report said. The measures are expected to make it easier for goods to benefit from preferential duty treatment.