India recently introduced a new import management system designed to monitor data surrounding imports of laptops, tablets and personal computers, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council reported Nov. 24. Effective Nov. 1, importers must report in the new system the quantity and value of those imports, along with imports of “related spare parts," HKTDC said. The system was unveiled after the country scrapped plans to place new import licensing requirements on certain computers (see 2308030074), the report said, which drew backlash from the U.S. and other countries (see 2308170028).

Although strong beef demand in Vietnam has resulted in increased imports over the past few years, including from India and Hong Kong, that hasn't benefited U.S. beef exporters because of high tariff rates, USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service said in a report this month. The agency said American exporters face “tariff disadvantages” in the Vietnamese market, noting the U.S. is Vietnam’s “only major trading partner” without a free trade deal.

The Indonesian government recently instructed its National Logistics Agency to import 500,000 metric tons of corn, which is expected to arrive before the end of this year, USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service said in a report this month. The increased corn imports are meant to “soften the impact of higher commodity prices” due to an expected weather-related decline in Indonesian corn production, USDA said. The agency warned that high corn prices and the strong dollar may “hinder” Indonesia’s plan to import more corn, adding that it expects the country’s corn imports to increase by 20% to 1.2 million metric tons of corn for the 2022/2023 season compared with the previous forecast of 1 million metric tons.

Taiwan recently notified the World Trade Organization that it invoked volume-based special safeguards on imports of other chicken cuts and pork belly, USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service said in a report this month. USDA said Taiwan exceeded the specified trigger levels for imports of both meats during the first nine months of the year, and Taiwan will impose additional tariffs, “equivalent to an additional one third of the normal duties” of 20% for WTO members, from Sept. 5 until Dec. 31. USDA said Taiwan imported 11,641.1 metric tons of other chicken cuts from January through September, 98% of which came from the U.S.

India recently extended its export restrictions on sugar indefinitely, USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service said in a report this month. The trade restrictions were scheduled to last through Oct. 31 but have since been extended for an “indefinite period,” the agency said. “The export of sugar under the CXL concession quota with the United Kingdom and the tariff-rate quota (TRQ) with the United States are unaffected.”

An academic and journalists from England and Foreign Policy magazine agreed that President Joe Biden got more out of the meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping than Xi did.

Sri Lanka recently put in place a temporary tariff reduction for imported corn, but USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service expects the move to have minimal impacts on U.S. corn because Indian corn prices are lower. The new duty, imposed under a “Special Commodity Levy,” reduces the tariff on corn from 75 Sri Lankan Rupees per kilogram to 25 per kilogram, or about .076 cent, for about six months from Aug 18.

Japan activated its safety net measure for exporters that have been affected by foreign import restrictions on the country's marine products in response to Japan's release of nuclear-contaminated water into the ocean (see 2308220022). Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry said it will aid small and medium-sized exporters along with micro-enterprises by offering loans to companies that are experiencing sales declines, according to an unofficial translation of a Nov. 15 notice. China in August began suspending imports of aquatic products, such as seafood and seaweed, from Japan (see 2308220022).

Indonesia recently imposed higher import tariffs on certain cosmetics, bicycles, watches, and iron and steel products, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council reported Nov. 6. The new measures will place a 10% to 15% duty on cosmetic imports, a 25% to 40% duty on bicycle imports, a 10% duty on watches and up to a 20% duty on iron and steel products. As part of the changes, Indonesia also is requiring e‑commerce companies and other online vendors to share certain information on imported goods with the country’s Directorate General of Customs and Excise, including the names of the company and seller and the “specifications and quantity of imported goods,” HKTDC said.

Japan's Ministry for Economy, Trade and Industry on Nov. 8 released an updated set of frequently asked questions regarding the customs clearance process for electronic export licenses and paper licenses, according to an unofficial translation. The ministry said certain paper applications must be postmarked by June 30. The FAQs also offer guidance on customs clearance procedures involving the Nippon Automated Cargo and Port Consolidated System.