Singapore Customs issued updated requirements and duty treatment for the blending of petroleum by refineries and licensed warehouses, according to an Aug. 13 notice. Singapore said “petroleum licensees” are exempt from paying duties on gasoline and diesel if they “undertake blending activities” that involve the gasoline and diesel in licensed premises. Singapore said duties are paid “on the final blended product if it is dutiable and is removed from the licensed premises for local consumption.” The notice also details which specific “blending activities” are exempt from duties and when licensees are required to keep a “blending schedule for Customs’ audit purposes.”

Singapore’s TradeNet, the country’s trade facilitation system, will undergo maintenance on Aug. 18 from 4 a.m. to 4 p.m local time, Singapore Customs said in an Aug. 14 notice. Singapore is advising companies to not use the system during that time.

China is banning imports of pigs and pig-related products from Slovakia, China’s General Administration of Customs said in an Aug. 6 press release, according to an unofficial translation. The ban is in response to the recent outbreak of African swine fever in Slovakia, the press release said.

China’s General Administration of Customs announced plans to start a two-step import declaration pilot program at 10 ports starting Aug. 24, according to Chinese Customs press release and a post from KPMG. The program allows importers to submit declarations in less steps before the goods are released by customs, KPMG said. The cities involved in the program include Huangpu, Shenzhen and Qingdao.

China’s General Administration of Customs announced 17 measures to improve Qingdao Customs, including port upgrades, “a long-term service docking mechanism” and other updates to create a “smart customs” port, China said in an Aug. 15 press release, according to an unofficial translation. Changes include improvements to Qingdao’s customs clearance process for “bonded and delivered goods” and a reform of customs tax “collection and management.” The changes will also expand the port’s “capacity … and shipping” and is aimed at “promoting the transformation and upgrading of the port,” the press release said.

China’s expansion of its Shanghai Free Trade Zone could serve as a model for similar schemes in other zones across the country if it is successful, according to an Aug. 13 post from Dezan Shira & Associates. The recently approved plan includes "pioneering" policies in the newly incorporated Lingang area that are more than just a “simple expansion,” the post said. The expansion will double the size of the original Shanghai zone and will “facilitate freer activities in trade, investment, finance, talents, and information” in the new area of the zone, according to the post.

Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry is introducing a system to simplify exports and imports of “cargo for scientific research purposes between scientific institutions,” Japan said in an Aug. 13 notice, according to an unofficial translation. Japan is allowing certain export and import exemptions for “designated animals and plants” under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), the notice said. Scientific facilities using these exemptions will need to create an “import/export management system” to qualify for approval certificates, which will be valid for three years, Japan said. The changes will take effect in October.

Shenzhen, a major city outside Hong Kong, introduced nearly 40 measures to improve the Qianhai-Shekou Area of China’s Guangdong Free Trade Zone, including “boosting trade facilitation,” according to an Aug. 13 report from the Hong Kong Trade Development Council. Changes include more “support” for “cross-border RMB business services,” referring to renminbi (RMB) as the currency, within the trade zone, the report said.

Vietnam Customs issued guidance on requirements for used machinery imports, the country’s customs mouthpiece, CustomsNews, said Aug. 11. The guidance includes additional information on which types of machinery imports are permitted, requirements for when a company must submit their business registration and a description of information that must be included in customs documents. Vietnam said it is also requiring customs import dossiers to include original certificates from the item’s manufacturer and the year it was manufactured. Vietnam banned certain imports of used machinery in June (see 1905030051).

A new China-Europe freight train launched last week that will help exports from China’s Sichuan province to Europe and boost foreign trade, China’s State Council Information Office said Aug. 12. The train, carrying more than “30,000 parcels” worth about $70 million, is the “first of its kind” between the city of Chengdu and Budapest, China said. The train is a “significant part” of China’s Belt and Road Initiative, the State Council said, and should increase trade between China and Europe.