Recent Foreign Trade Information

Headlines
China adjusts its export control list to include three types of highly sensitive graphite items
The Ministry of Commerce, in conjunction with the General Administration of Customs, announced on the 20th that three types of high sensitivity graphite items that had previously been temporarily controlled will be officially included in the export control list of dual-use items. On the 20th, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Commerce stated that China's normal adjustment of export controls does not target any specific country or region, and exports that comply with relevant regulations will be licensed.
According to the announcement, in order to maintain national security and interests, with the approval of the State Council, it has been decided to optimize and adjust the scope of items listed in Announcement No. 50 of 2006 of the Ministry of Commerce, the National Defense Science and Technology Commission, and the General Administration of Customs ("Decision to Implement Temporary Export Control Measures on Graphite Related Products"). Among them, high-purity, high-strength, high-density artificial graphite materials and their products, as well as natural flake graphite and its products, cannot be exported without permission; At the same time, temporary regulations on five types of low sensitive graphite materials mainly used in basic industries of the national economy, such as steel, metallurgy, and chemical industry, including carbon electrodes for furnaces, will be lifted. The above policies will be officially implemented from December 1, 2023.
Original announcement:
http://aqygzj.mofcom.gov.cn/article/glml/202310/20231003447368.shtml
policy
Cancellation of registration matters for export goods origin enterprises from November 1st
The General Administration of Customs recently issued a notice on canceling the registration of enterprises in the origin of exported goods.
The announcement mentioned that, in order to further optimize the cross-border trade business environment and improve trade facilitation, the General Administration of Customs decided to cancel the registration of enterprises of origin of export goods from November 1, 2023, and the certificate of origin applicants can directly apply for the certificate of origin through the "single window" of international trade, Internet plus+Customs, the application system of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, etc.
Original announcement:
http://www.customs.gov.cn/customs/302249/302266/302267/5449140/index.html
policy
Foreign investment access restrictions in the manufacturing industry will be completely lifted
On October 18, China announced eight actions to support the high-quality joint construction of the "the Belt and Road". In terms of the action to "support the construction of an open world economy", it was mentioned that restrictions on foreign investment access in the manufacturing sector would be completely lifted. This is further based on the basic opening up of China's manufacturing industry and the clearance of the negative list manufacturing industry in the free trade pilot zone.

It is understood that China's general manufacturing industry has basically achieved foreign investment opening up, with only a few areas still not yet open. Nationwide, the Special Administrative Measures for Foreign Investment Access (Negative List) (2021 Edition) shows that there are only two items left in the manufacturing industry: "the printing of publications must be controlled by the Chinese side" and "the prohibition of investment in the application of processing technologies such as steaming, frying, roasting and calcining of Chinese herbal pieces and the production of traditional Chinese patent medicines and simple preparations confidential prescription products".

Within the scope of the Pilot Free Trade Zone, in the "Special Management Measures for Foreign Investment Access in the Pilot Free Trade Zone (Negative List) (2021 Edition)" implemented on January 1, 2022, the manufacturing industry items have been completely cleared, and the overall number has been reduced to 27, including 17 prohibited items and 10 restricted items.
The industry believes that the entry of foreign investment in the manufacturing industry at the national level has been basically relaxed. This expansion from the negative list of manufacturing in the free trade zone to the national level is a comprehensive opening, indicating China's firm attitude towards opening up the door to the outside world. In addition, against the backdrop of weak global economic recovery, China faces challenges in attracting foreign investment and needs to continue to implement more targeted and valuable policies to stabilize foreign investment.
India
Allow unrestricted import of laptops and tablets
On October 19th local time, the Indian government announced that it would allow unrestricted imports of laptops and tablets, and launched a new "authorization" system aimed at monitoring the shipment volume of such hardware without damaging market supply.
Officials said that the new "import management system" will come into effect on November 1st, requiring companies to register the quantity and value of imports, but the government will not refuse any import requests and will use these data for monitoring.
Senior official of the Indian Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology S Krishnan stated that the purpose of doing so is to ensure that the necessary data and information are obtained to ensure a fully trusted digital system. Krishnan added that based on the collected data, further measures may be taken after September 2024.
On August 3rd of this year, India announced that it would restrict the import of personal computers, including laptops and tablets. Companies need to apply for a license in advance to be exempted. India's move is mainly aimed at boosting its electronic manufacturing industry and reducing its dependence on imports. However, due to criticism from industry and the US government, India immediately postponed this decision.
India
Issue quality control orders for products such as electric fans and washing machines
Recently, India has submitted multiple notifications to the WTO, planning to implement quality control orders for electric fans, washing machines, kitchen appliances, etc. The relevant products must comply with Indian standards and be labeled with standard labels under the permission of the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS).
Thailand
Release requirements for child car safety seat labels
Recently, the Thai Industrial Standards Association submitted Notice G/TBT/N/THA/715, which identified child car safety seats as label controlled products. Its label should include statements, graphics, tags, or images. The label should be in Thai or a foreign language accompanied by Thai to explain the meaning of graphics, markings, or images. The draft notice does not apply to goods manufactured for export and not sold in Thailand.
The label should include the following content:
(1) Product name;
(2) The name or trademark registered by the manufacturer for sale in Thailand;
(3) The name or trademark registered by the seller in Thailand;
(4) Imported goods for sale should indicate the name of the producing country;
(5) The production location, or the location of the seller who orders or imports goods;
(6) For the size, quantity, volume, or weight of the goods (depending on the situation), the unit used can be the full name, abbreviation, or symbol, such as "width X length X heightX" (centimeters).
(7) Consumers should be informed of the purpose of the product's use.
(8) The product should have correct usage instructions and prohibited usage instructions for the convenience of consumers, including at least the following content:
a. Car safety seats are suitable for children aged.
b. The car safety seat is suitable for children's weight/kg/height.
c. Reminder to regularly check car safety seats.
d. Don't let children sit alone in the safety seat of the car.
(9) Date, month, and year of production.
In addition, this draft notice also requires child safety seats to be accompanied by warning requirements, such as installation warnings, font colors for warnings, installation manuals, etc.
Singapore
Cancellation of melamine related requirements for imported milk and dairy products from China
On October 23, 2023, the Singapore Food Safety Authority (SFA) announced the cancellation of melamine related requirements for imported milk, milk, products, and products containing milk from China. The main content is as follows:
(1) The Singapore Food Safety Authority has reviewed the import requirements for milk and dairy products from China and will cancel them from November 1, 2023:
https://www.sfa.gov.sg/docs/default-source/default-document-library/import-requirements-ofspecific-food-products The inspection and quarantine import requirements described in;
(2) These requirements related to melamine were implemented after the 2008 China melamine milk incident, when melamine was detected in local infant milk products. Subsequently, China implemented various measures to strengthen its superior and administrative processes for dairy products, including stricter production permits, stricter inspections, testing, monitoring, and evaluation, as well as stricter penalties for melamine products found throughout the entire dairy food chain (from cow feeding, purchasing and transporting fresh and raw milk to dairy processing enterprises);
(3) Milk and dairy products imported from China, such as liquid milk, powdered milk, cheese, butter, ice cream, and yogurt, will continue to undergo SFA inspections and must comply with:
https://www.sfa.gov.sg/docs/defaultsource/default-document-library/import-requirements-of-specific-food-products
中所述的进口要求（A，B和C部分）。
更多详情参见：
https://www.sfa.gov.sg/docs/default-source/circulars/2023/2023-10-23-trade-circular---removal-of-melamine-related-requirements.pdf
阿联酋、韩国
中东首个自贸协定落地
中东首个自由贸易协定落地，韩国与海湾国家阿联酋完成了全面经济伙伴关系协定谈判并签署了联合声明。
据报道，两国就高水平市场自由化达成一致。按照产品数量计算，韩国将取消92.8%的关税，阿联酋则将取消91.2%的关税，两国将在十年内完全消除关税。
与此同时，韩国向阿联酋出口的汽车、冰箱和洗衣机等产品，关税将在十年内从5%降至0%阿联酋出口到韩国的石油等产品也将在未来十年内，从关税3%降至0%
此外，阿联酋还同意开放其服务市场，将与韩国在在线游戏、医疗服务、内容创作和建筑等领域进行更进一步的合作。