China will allow imports of Vietnamese grass jelly, also known as cold powder grass, subject to phytosanitary requirements for the subject goods, the country’s General Administration of Customs said in a Dec. 28 notice, according to an unofficial translation. The notice includes quarantine and phytosanitary requirements for the imports, as agreed to earlier in the month when China and Vietnam signed a related protocol.

India recently issued new regulations and standards for alcoholic drinks, including updated requirements for “low alcoholic beverages,” such as craft beers and alcohol-free beer, the U.S. Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service said Dec. 23. The regulations also include new labeling requirements for wine. Industry will have until July 1, 2021, to comply with the new standards and rules.

China announced revised standards of origin for some commodities for trade with Macau, it said Dec. 24, according to an unofficial translation. The changes take effect Jan. 1.

India removed export restrictions on medical goggles and certain disposable gloves, the country’s Directorate General of Foreign Trade said Dec. 22. Those items may now be freely exported with no restrictions, India said. It previously announced an export quota for the gloves (see 2010270019).

The Singapore Customs TradeNet will undergo system maintenance Jan. 10, 4 a.m. to noon local time, a Dec. 28 notice said. The agency 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.

China temporarily suspended poultry imports from Ireland due to an “avian influenza” outbreak in the country, a Dec. 24 notice said, according to an unofficial translation. All illegal imports of poultry or poultry products from Ireland will be returned or destroyed, China said. The suspension took effect Dec. 24.

China extended tariff exemptions on certain U.S. chemical and oil products, a Dec. 25 notice said, according to an unofficial translation. The exemptions, renewed through Dec. 25, 2021, cover six items, including certain lubricating oils, wax, polyethylene and polypropylene (see 1912190024). The exemptions were scheduled to expire Dec. 25.

Australia will host a virtual technology summit to discuss key technology issues with allies, including security concerns surrounding cyber and critical technologies, Australia’s foreign ministry said Dec. 23. The Sydney Dialogue, planned for the second half of 2021, will aim to bring together “political leaders, industry experts, academics and civil society representatives” to discuss “the most pressing issues” around sensitive technologies. Australia said it wants “the design, creation and use of technology to reflect our values.” The summit comes as the U.S. and the European Union grapple with how to control emerging and sensitive technologies to prevent authoritarian governments from using them (see 2012140049 and 2009300056).

China’s General Administration of Customs issued an announcement on inspections and supervisors of imports and exports of “dangerous chemicals and their packaging,” according to an unofficial translation of a Dec. 18 notice. The notice includes rules and procedures for customs officials and traders when shipping the hazardous chemicals, including what should be in the declarations, how they should be labeled and packaged, what standards the goods must meet and other rules. The announced rules and procedures go into effect Jan. 10, 2021.

India set its quota for sugar exports to the U.S. for the 2021 fiscal year, the country’s Directorate General of Foreign Trade said Dec. 18. India said it will allocate 8,424 metric tons raw value of sugar products to be exported to the U.S. for the fiscal year that runs Oct. 1, 2020, through Sept. 30, 2021, with no export restrictions.