China recently announced suspensions of “facilitation measures” intended to simplify customs processes for exports of medical supplies intended for COVID-19 prevention from certain cities, according to a May 15 report from the Hong Kong Trade Development Council. The measures, which featured a “simplified channel for customs clearance of small batch of goods,” can no longer be used by companies to ship medical products. Companies can still import and export the goods through “general trade” methods, the report said.

China’s Nansha District, located in the Guangdong province, recently announced a three-year plan to improve its business environment, which features a “free trade zone requiring no certificates,” according to a May 13 report from the Hong Kong Trade Development Council. Currently, companies operating in the zone must submit “numerous certificates,” but the changes will allow companies to skip submissions of certificates, “data enquiries” and other administrative “verification” performed by the government. The government will instead use “data-sharing platforms” to “complete administrative procedures without requiring applicants to submit different certificates,” the report said.

China recently added 46 cities and areas to its list of cross-border e-commerce pilot zones, according to a May 14 report from the Hong Kong Trade Development Council. The move is part of China’s plan to “stabilise foreign trade and investment,” the report said. The zones will promote “international trade liberalization” and include certain tax exemptions (see 1912270019).

Singapore recently eliminated restrictions on time frames for importing frozen and processed meat products, according to a U.S. Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service report released May 12. Previously, meat imports were required to follow “strict timeframe requirements” and conditions, the USDA said, such as mandatory detention and laboratory testing for all frozen pork imported into Singapore three to six months after slaughter. U.S. frozen and processed meat exporters will no longer be subject to these restrictions, the report said, but time frame requirements for “chilled meat products” are still in effect.

China will allow imports of U.S. blueberries and barley, the country’s General Administration of Customs said in May 13 notices, according to an unofficial translation. China also issued quarantine and phytosanitary requirements for imports of U.S. alfalfa hay, “almond shell granules” and timothy hay. The measures, which took effect May 13, provide requirements that imports must meet for entry into China. The measures were announced as China tries to fulfill its agricultural purchase commitments under the phase one trade deal, which some say may not be possible due to the COVID-19 pandemic (see 2005130042 and 2005080010).

Hong Kong’s Trade and Industry Department issued a May 12 notice to traders about the U.S. Commerce Department’s upcoming elimination of license exceptions for civil end-users (see 2004270026), which will affect exports, reexports and transfers of U.S.-origin goods from Hong Kong. Hong Kong informed industry that exports usually allowed under the license exception will now require a U.S. authorization, adding that it will specifically impact shipments of electronics, computers and telecommunications products. Although the U.S. exemption will be eliminated, Hong Kong will make “no change” to its “import and export licensing control on strategic commodities,” the country said. Traders exporting or importing U.S. goods no longer covered by the exemption “are advised to liaise and check with their U.S. exporters/manufacturers, particularly to obtain the necessary and applicable US export authorisation,” the notice said.

India amended its import policy for certain types of silver, according to a May 13 notice from the country’s Directorate General of Foreign Trade. The update will loosen certain restrictions on imports of powdered silver, unwrought silver, silver sheets, pipes, strips, tubes and more, the notice said. India said silver imports “under Advance Authorization and supply of silver directly by foreign buyers to exporters” under the country’s Foreign Trade Policy “are exempted.”

China temporarily banned beef imports from four Australian beef exporters after “repeated violations of inspection and quarantine requirements,” China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson said during a March 12 press conference. The spokesperson said China will no longer process import declarations for those four Australian companies and asked Australia “to conduct a thorough investigation to find the cause and address the issue.” The measure banned imports from Kilcoy Pastoral Company, the Northern Cooperative Meat Company and two plants belonging to JBS Australia, which are among Australia’s “largest” beef meat processors, according to a May 12 Reuters report.

Another round of negotiations for the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership will take place this month, according to an unofficial translation of a May 13 notice from Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. The negotiations, featuring the Association of Southeast Asian Nations as well as Japan, China, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand and India, will take place May 15-20 via videoconference, the notice said. Countries had expected in 2019 to finalize RCEP negotiations this year (see 1911040016), but now it is unclear if the COVID-19 pandemic will lead to more delays.

Japan plans to place more of an emphasis on attracting and keeping semiconductor manufacturing and its supply chains, according to an unofficial translation of a transcript of a May 12 press conference held by Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. Japan said it will put more money into research and development of semiconductors to attract high-tech chip making. “It is extremely important for Japanese industry to secure the cutting-edge semiconductors needed for post-5G,” a ministry official said. “[W]e are aware that we have to work on these things, and in terms of the coronavirus [pandemic], think about how to firmly reorganize the supply chain.” The U.S. also wants to attract semiconductor supply chains as the administration steps up export restrictions with regard to China (see 2005060017 and 2005050035).