Hong Kong’s Trade and Industry Department is asking industry to submit permit applications and reports for activities involving certain chemicals controlled by the Chemical Weapons Convention, the agency said Nov. 4. Hong Kong requires operators of certain facilities that work with the chemicals to submit annual reports, which are then submitted to the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, the international implementing body of the Chemical Weapons Convention. The annual reports must contain details about past and “anticipated activities” involving controlled chemicals. Violators of the reporting requirements, including facilities operating without the required permits, may face fines and imprisonment. Facilities must submit applications for 2023 by Nov. 29 and report certain activities by Dec. 20.
Chinese technology companies are “scrambling” to hire engineers from foreign companies that are closing their business in China due to new U.S. export controls (see 2210070049), Nikkei reported Nov. 4. The report said Huawei, Alibaba and other chip developers issued job postings after they learned U.S. chipmaker Marvell planned to lay off hundreds of workers in China. Some Chinese companies are offering to pay a higher-than-expected salary for these workers because “chip talent has never been in more demand and competition for hiring is intense,” a Chengdu-based recruiter told Nikkei.
China imposed export controls on high-pressure water cannon products, the General Administration of Customs announced Nov. 1, according to an unofficial translation. Restrictions will take effect Dec. 1 on the export of high-pressure cannons whose maximum range is greater than or equal to 100 meters, rated flow is greater than or equal to 540 cubic meters per hour and rated pressure is greater than or equal to 174 pounds per square inch. Operators of high-pressure water cannons must be registered with China's Ministry of Commerce, and no unit may be exported without registration.
Three e-services for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Customs Transit System available on the Singapore Customs website also will be available on the Networked Trade Platform in Singapore, Singapore Customs announced in a Nov. 1 notice. The move allows traders already using the NTP to access the forms within the same website and submit the applications online.
China's General Administration of Customs in a Nov. 1 announcement imposed inspection and quarantine requirements on imports of dried melon from Uzbekistan, according to an unofficial translation. The restrictions apply to dried fruits for human consumption made from melons (Cucumis melon L.) grown and processed in Uzbekistan. Melon exporters are tasked with making sure their melons comply with Chinese laws and regulations on food safety and said dried melons should be packaged in clean, hygienic, breathable, new materials that meet China's phytosanitary requirements and are not contaminated by harmful organisms or substances.
India opened a Helpdesk for resolution of issues related to the rollout of shipping bills, generation of e-scrips and transfer of e-scrips under the Remission of Duties and Taxes on Export Products scheme, the Directorate General of Foreign Trade said Oct. 31. The Helpdesk will be available 24/7 and will allow exporters to lodge a grievance either via voice phone call to 1800-3010-1000 or email at icegatehelpdesk@icegate.gov.in, the DGFT said.
India's Directorate General of Foreign Trade on Oct. 28 extended the restrictions on the export of sugar for another year, until Oct. 31. The restriction covers "Sugar (Raw Sugar, Refined Sugar and Whate Sugar) under HS Codes 1701 14 90 and 1701 99 90" but does not affect exports to the EU and U.S. under CSL and TRQ quota, the DGFT said.
Malaysia recently ratified the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for the Trans-Pacific Partnership, becoming the ninth country to join the deal, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council reported Oct. 28. Malaysia will benefit from “access to new markets,” HKTDC said, adding that nearly all of the country’s exports to CPTPP countries will be duty-free by Jan. 1.
Indonesia has recently “stepped up its enforcement” on registrations for importers of “fresh animal products,” USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service said in an Oct. 27 report. Importers should “expedite the registration process for their imported products” to “avoid any trade disruption,” the report said. “The vigorous enforcement adds another trade impediment to the already complicated import process, particularly for beef products.”
The Cambodia-Korea Free Trade Agreement (see 2111020018) will officially take effect Dec. 1, removing tariffs on a range of goods traded between the two countries, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council reported Oct. 28. Among the items that will benefit are Cambodian textile and industrial exports and South Korean exports of automobiles, electronics, machinery and food.