China denied media reports it's exporting drones to the Russian military to be used in Ukraine, the Ministry of Commerce said, according to an unofficial translation. The ministry said China has "strict controls" on drone exports, adding that while there is no international control on civilian drones, many Chinese drone-makers have self-imposed such restrictions. China will continue looking to strengthen its export controls on drones, the ministry said.
Several “unresolved issues” surround fines imposed against companies placed on China’s Unreliable Entity List, including the maximum penalty amount China can impose and the penalty range it can choose from, Beijing-based Zhong Lun Law Firm said in an April client alert posted by Lexology.
Japan and Bangladesh signed an agreement April 26 assuring cooperation and mutual assistance in customs matters. Under the agreement, the two parties will assist each other to "ensure proper application of the Customs laws and to prevent, investigate and repress any Customs offense" and "make cooperative efforts for simplification and harmonization of their customs procedures," according to an English language version of the the agreement.
The Singapore Customs TradeNet will undergo system maintenance May 7 4 a.m. to 4 p.m. local time, it said April 21. Singapore Customs advises users to avoid submitting applications during this time. This is in addition to the usual 4 a.m. to 8 a.m. Sunday maintenance.
Japan and South Korea held an export control policy dialogue April 18-20, Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry said. METI said the dialogue focused on the status of measures meant to block indirect exports to "countries of concern, including North Korea." The next dialogue will be held April 24-25 in Japan.
Companies should expect China to increase the use of its so-called Unreliable Entity List following the addition of U.S. defense companies Lockheed Martin and Raytheon to the list in February (see 2302160064 and 2304180029), Beijing-based Zhong Lun law firm said in an April client alert posted by Lexology. The firm said “we anticipate” that the “trade ban rules may be developed into a full-fledged and well-designed mechanism with increased enforcement of the UEL Provisions in the future,” saying Chinese companies should make sure they're running “effective compliance programs” to comply with the list.
Chinese companies should “strengthen” their due diligence procedures to make sure they’re not doing business with U.S. defense companies Lockheed Martin and Raytheon, which were placed on China’s so-called Unreliable Entity List in February (see 2302160064), China’s Ministry of Commerce said this week. Both firms are blocked from “engaging in import and export activities related to China,” which will “prevent Chinese products from being used in their military business,” a ministry spokesperson said April 18, according to an unofficial translation.
Singapore Customs said the electronic exchange of the ASEAN Single Window Singapore Gateway will be down for maintenance from April 21 at 6 p.m. local time to April 24 at noon local time. The customs agency will be installing new software on the gateway, so traders should submit their ATIGA e-Form Ds before or after the scheduled maintenance.
China condemned the recent U.S. inclusion of 12 Chinese companies on the Entity List for their aid to Russia's war against Ukraine. All 12 companies were accused of backing Russia's military or defense industrial base (see 2304120039). A spokesperson for China's Ministry of Commerce said the U.S. has no basis in international law to carry out the sanctions, and the move is a "typical unilateral sanction" that damages the legitimate rights of Chinese companies, according to an unofficial translation. The spokesperson called for the immediate cessation of the sanctions, adding that China will safeguard the interests of its companies.
China is preparing an export ban on technology needed to process and magnetize rare earth metals, The Telegraph reported. These metals are used in advanced technology, including in high-performance magnets for electric vehicles and wind turbine motors. The news comes after China's Ministry of Commerce floated alterations to its list of goods subject to export restrictions in 2022, according to an unofficial translation.