China’s Guangdong region recently announced measures to speed up export tax rebate processing and to help divert goods intended for export to instead be sold domestically, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council reported Aug. 17. All Guangdong tax authorities were ordered to “increase their assessment efficiency and expedite the processing” for export tax rebates to reduce the handling time from eight to five working days, the report said. The province is also collecting data on taxes and fees to create “business matching platforms” that will drive “products originally destined for export” to be sold domestically.
A range of Malaysian exporters, including traders of food and cut-flowers, no longer need a permit from the Malaysia Quarantine and Inspection Services to export their goods, according to an Aug. 13 Hong Kong Trade Development Council report. The change lifted export restrictions from items covered under 524 different Harmonized System codes in an effort to “reduce bureaucracy in the business sector,” the report said. The Malaysian government is also encouraging businesses to “report any red‑tape‑related matters of concern” to further reduce bureaucracy.
China began a countervailing duty investigation on imports of U.S. polyphenylene ether, an Aug. 14 notice said, according to an unofficial translation. China said it expects to complete the investigation by Aug. 14, 2021. The country recently launched an antidumping duty investigation into the same imports from the U.S. (see 2008030018).
China issued import requirements for certain Ecuadorian frozen shrimp, according to an unofficial translation of an Aug. 14 notice. The notice contains inspections and quarantine requirements for the shrimp.
India revised its import policies and conditions for various chemicals, its Directorate General of Foreign Trade said Aug. 11. The revision removes certain import restrictions from 18 types of chemicals and items, and requires importers to submit a copy of the bill of entry for the item within 30 days, among other conditions.
India revised its export restrictions for certain types of rice shipments to European countries, its Director General of Foreign Trade said Aug. 10. India will require exporters to obtain a “Certificate of Inspection” for shipments of basmati rice and “non-basmati rice” to Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. Beginning Jan. 1, 2021, India will require the export certificates for rice shipments to the “remaining European countries.”
China will continue to impose antidumping duties on imports of “single-mode optical fibers” from India, an Aug. 13 Ministry of Commerce notice said, according to an unofficial translation. The duties will continue for five years from Aug. 14.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service on Aug. 5 updated its guidance on China’s retaliatory tariffs and tariff exclusion process for U.S. products. It outlines procedures for applying for exclusions and provides U.S. exporters “a clear picture of the current status of China’s retaliatory tariffs.”
Singapore Customs’ TradeNet will undergo system maintenance on Sunday, Aug. 30, 4 a.m. to noon local time, an Aug. 12 notice said. The agency advised users to avoid submitting applications during this time. This is in addition to usual 4 a.m. to 8 a.m. maintenance on Sundays.
Hong Kong’s Monetary Authority and Securities and Futures Commission warned entities to assess whether recent U.S. sanctions could affect them (see 2008070039), warning that financial institutions should be “fair” in dealing with their customers. The SFC Aug. 8 said entities should “carefully assess any legal, business and commercial risks that they may be exposed to.” The HKMA said institutions should “assess all risks involved and endeavour to treat customers fairly.”