January： Global Trade Policy Roundup
- Internal Tariff Policy Changes
01 Tariff Commission of the State Council: Customs Tariff of the People's Republic of China (2026) Enters into Force
On December 31, the Tariff Commission of the State Council issued an announcement on the Customs Tariff of the People's Republic of China (2026), which took effect on January 1, 2026.
02 Tariff Commission of the State Council: Adjustment of Tariff Rates and Headings for Certain Commodities Starting January 1, 2026
On December 29, the Tariff Commission of the State Council released an announcement on the 2026 Tariff Adjustment Plan. Effective January 1, 2026, adjustments were made to the import tariff rates and headings for certain commodities. Under the plan, provisional import tariff rates lower than the Most-Favored-Nation (MFN) rates were applied to 935 items in 2026.On December 31, 2025, the General Administration of Customs (GAC), in accordance with the 2026 Tariff Adjustment Plan, issued the Announcement on Implementing the 2026 Tariff Adjustment Plan and Related Matters, clarifying the declaration requirements for Customs Commodity Codes concerning import and export tax policies and measures.
03 Ministry of Commerce and General Administration of Customs: 2026 Catalogue of Dual-Use Items and Technologies Subject to Import and Export License Administration Officially Implemented
On December 31, the Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) and the General Administration of Customs (GAC) announced the 2026 Catalogue of Dual-Use Items and Technologies Subject to Import and Export License Administration, which came into official effect on January 1, 2026.
For the import of radioactive isotopes, importers shall, in accordance with the provisions of the Regulations on the Safety and Protection of Radioactive Isotopes and Radiation Devices and the Measures for the Administration of Import and Export Licenses for Dual-Use Items and Technologies, submit an application to the Ministry of Ecology and Environment for approval. Upon approval, they shall apply for an import license for dual-use items and technologies from the Quota and License Affairs Bureau of the Ministry of Commerce and complete import formalities with the customs against the license.
In addition, MOFCOM and GAC published the 2026 Catalogue of Goods Subject to Import License Administration, Catalogue of Goods Subject to Export License Administration, and Catalogue of Goods Subject to Automatic Import License Administration (excluding whey), which took effect on January 1, 2026.
04 Ministry of Commerce and General Administration of Customs: Implementation of Export License Administration for Certain Iron and Steel Products
On December 12, 2025, MOFCOM and GAC jointly issued Announcement No. 79 of 2025, deciding to implement export license administration for certain iron and steel products starting January 1, 2026, mainly covering 300 customs - coded products such as steel products.
Foreign trade operators exporting goods listed in the catalog shall apply for an export license on the strength of the goods export contract and the product quality inspection certificate issued by the manufacturer.
05 Four Ministries including the Ministry of Commerce: Implementation of Export License Administration for Pure Electric Passenger Vehicles
To promote the healthy development of the new energy vehicle trade, in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Foreign Trade Law of the People's Republic of China, MOFCOM, MIIT, GAC, and the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) decided to implement export license administration for pure electric passenger vehicles starting January 1, 2026.
Export license administration shall be applied to goods named "Other passenger - carrying vehicles with a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) equipped only with driving motors" (with reference to Customs Commodity Code 8703801090).
06 Four Ministries including the Ministry of Commerce: Strengthening the Administration of Used Car Exports
To further standardize the competition order of the automotive industry and promote the healthy and orderly development of China's used car exports, MOFCOM, MIIT, the Ministry of Public Security, and GAC jointly issued the Circular on Further Strengthening the Administration of Used Car Exports on November 11, 2025.
The Circular specifies that starting January 1, 2026, for applications for exporting vehicles registered for less than 180 days, the After - sales Maintenance Service Confirmation issued by the vehicle manufacturer shall be supplemented, specifying the export country, vehicle information, and after - sales service outlets. Otherwise, no export license shall be issued.
07 Implementation Regulations of the Value - Added Tax Law of the People's Republic of China Enforced on January 1, 2026
The Implementation Regulations of the Value - Added Tax Law of the People's Republic of China were adopted at the 75th Executive Meeting of the State Council on December 19, 2025, and came into force on January 1, 2026.
The Regulations aim to implement the Value - Added Tax Law of the People's Republic of China and take mandatory effect in China from the effective date.
This amendment made important revisions to a number of contents. The Maritime Safety Administration of the People's Republic of China issued an announcement emphasizing relevant implementation requirements, including declaration and reporting requirements for ship - borne packaged dangerous goods; classification requirements for packaged dangerous goods; and requirements for packaging, documents, marking, and stowage and segregation of dangerous goods.
08 General Administration of Customs & State Taxation Administration: Implementing Online Verification of the "Certificate of Tax Paid/Unrefunded for Exported Goods"
To further optimize the port business environment and facilitate cross-border trade, the General Administration of Customs (GAC) and the State Taxation Administration (STA) have decided to implement online verification of electronic data for the "Certificate of Tax Paid/Unrefunded for Exported Goods" (hereinafter referred to as the "Certificate").
Starting January 1, 2026, GAC and STA will jointly conduct online verification of the electronic data of the Certificate against the electronic data of customs declarations.
09 National Medical Products Administration: "Measures for the Administration of Inspections on Export Drugs by Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and Export Certificates" Takes Effect on January 1, 2026
To support the drug export trade and strengthen the administration of inspections on export drugs by pharmaceutical manufacturers and export certificates, the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) has formulated the "Measures for the Administration of Inspections on Export Drugs by Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and Export Certificates", which shall come into force on January 1, 2026.
10 Maritime Safety Administration of the People's Republic of China: Amendment 42-24 to the "International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code" Enters into Force
The "International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code" (IMDG Code) is a mandatory international regulation governing the international maritime transport of packaged dangerous goods. In accordance with Resolution MSC.556(108), its Amendment 42-24 has become mandatorily effective in China since January 1, 2026.
This amendment has made important revisions to multiple contents. The Maritime Safety Administration of the People's Republic of China has issued an announcement emphasizing relevant implementation requirements, including: declaration and reporting requirements for shipborne packaged dangerous goods; classification requirements for packaged dangerous goods; and requirements for packaging, documentation, marking, stowage, and segregation of dangerous goods.
11 General Administration of Customs: Launch of the Online Administrative Reconsideration Application Handling Platform
To give play to the main role of administrative reconsideration in resolving administrative disputes and facilitate citizens, legal persons, or other organizations to apply for and participate in administrative reconsideration, the General Administration of Customs decided to officially launch the Online Administrative Reconsideration Application Handling Platform in all customs across the country starting January 1, 2026.
12 General Administration of Customs: Improvement of Risk Grading and Quarantine Supervision Measures for Inbound and Outbound Biological Materials
To better serve China's life science research and promote the high - quality development of the biomedical industry, the General Administration of Customs decided to promote the reform measures for the quarantine supervision of inbound biological materials, which were piloted in Beijing, Tianjin, Hebei, Shanghai and other places, to the whole country starting December 30, 2025, so as to scientifically improve the risk grading and quarantine supervision measures for inbound and outbound biological materials.
13 General Administration of Customs: Optimization of Inspection and Quarantine Supervision Measures for Imported Feeds and Feed Additives
In accordance with the provisions of the Measures for the Supervision and Administration of Inspection and Quarantine of Imported and Exported Feeds and Feed Additives and based on the results of risk analysis, the General Administration of Customs optimized the inspection and quarantine supervision measures for imported feeds and feed additives and published the List of Risk Level Classification Scope and Corresponding Inspection and Quarantine Supervision Measures for Imported Feeds and Feed Additives.
This announcement took effect on December 29, 2025, and Announcement No. 144 of 2015 issued by the former General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine was abolished simultaneously.
14 State Administration for Market Regulation: World's First Mandatory Standard for Electric Vehicle Energy Consumption Limits Enforced on January 1, 2026
The national standard Energy Consumption Limits for Electric Vehicles - Part 1: Passenger Cars (GB 36980.1-2025) came into force on January 1, 2026, which is the world's first mandatory standard for electric vehicle energy consumption limits.
After the new standard is implemented, enterprises must carry out necessary technological upgrades on newly - rolled - off products. Taking a model weighing about 2 tons as an example, the new standard requires that the 100 - kilometer energy consumption should not exceed 15.1 kWh. After technological upgrading, with the battery capacity remaining unchanged, the driving range of electric vehicles will be increased by about 7% on average, and the driver experience will be significantly improved.
15 End of Transition Period! Production, Import and Sale of 5 Original Special - Purpose Cosmetic Categories including Hair - Growing Cosmetics Prohibited
In accordance with the Regulations on the Supervision and Administration of Cosmetics and the Announcement of the National Medical Products Administration on Further Clarifying the Transition Period Administration of Original Special - Purpose Cosmetics and Other Related Matters (No. 150 of 2021), the market access transition period for 5 categories of cosmetics, namely hair - growing, depilatory, breast - enhancing, body - building and deodorant cosmetics, which obtained the original special - purpose cosmetic administrative license before January 1, 2021, was uniformly set until December 31, 2025.
During the transition period, the above - mentioned products could be produced, imported and sold. Starting January 1, 2026, enterprises shall stop the production, import and sale of these products; otherwise, they will be dealt with in accordance with the law.
16 Centre for Food Safety (Hong Kong, China): Suspending Import of Poultry Meat and Poultry Products from Parts of Germany, Poland, the UK, Canada, and Japan
As reported by the World Organisation for Animal Health and Japan's Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries respectively, highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza outbreaks occurred in Hamm, North Rhine - Westphalia, Germany; Kalisz District, Greater Poland Voivodeship, Poland; Tewkesbury District, Gloucestershire, the United Kingdom; Perth County, Ontario, Canada; and Saitama Prefecture, Japan.
On December 30, 2025, the Centre for Food Safety of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department of Hong Kong announced that the import of poultry meat and poultry products (including poultry eggs) from the above - mentioned areas and the Unna District of North Rhine - Westphalia near Hamm would be suspended immediately to protect public health.
17 China Hong Kong Customs: Revised Import and Export Goods Classification Table Effective on January 1, 2026
On November 14, 2025, Hong Kong Customs reminded importers and exporters that import and export goods shipped on or after January 1, 2026 must be declared in accordance with the revised Hong Kong Import and Export Goods Classification Table (Harmonized System). The revision involves three categories of goods, including chemical products, telephones and fishing rods.
II. Global Tariff Policy Changes
01 Mexico: Imposing Additional Tariffs on Certain Chinese Goods Starting January 1, 2026, with Rates up to 50%
According to a Reuters report on December 31, Mexico will impose additional tariffs on certain Chinese goods starting January 1, 2026. The tariff adjustment covers 1,463 types of goods, with rates increased from the original 0-20% to 5%-50%, and most of the tariff increases reach 35%.
Starting January 1, 2026, Mexico will raise tariffs on countries that have not signed free trade agreements with Mexico (including China, India, South Korea, Thailand, Indonesia, and Turkey). The tariff adjustment involves 1,463 types of goods, including automobiles, auto parts, textiles, clothing, plastics, and steel.
The Ministry of Commerce of China responded in early December that once the relevant measures are implemented, they will harm the interests of trading partners including China, and hoped that Mexico would correct its protectionist practices as soon as possible.
02 Cambodia: Reducing Tariff Rates on Multiple Imported Goods
The General Department of Customs and Excise of Cambodia issued a notice on December 23 stating that in accordance with the latest decree issued by the government, Cambodia will strategically adjust the tariffs and special taxes on certain imported goods. The new tariff policy will officially take effect on January 1, 2026.
Zero tariffs will be implemented for multiple categories of goods. The Cambodian government will uniformly reduce the import tariffs of various goods from the original 15% or 7% to 0%, including live poultry chicks, computers and their related peripheral equipment, antenna equipment, laboratory-specific instruments, accessories, and related testing equipment.
Significant tariff reductions for people's livelihood and industrial goods. Tariffs on a number of goods related to people's daily consumption and infrastructure construction have also been significantly reduced, including sanitary napkins, diapers, rice cookers, vegetable and fruit blenders, juicers, stone mills, and rock wool boards, with tariffs reduced from 15% to 7%; import tariffs on ship hull anti-corrosion coatings, electric grills for barbecues, and luxury cars have been drastically reduced from 35% to 7%.
Special tax incentives for green energy and technology products. The special tax rate for electric vehicle motors, vacuum cleaners, and audio equipment has been reduced from 10% to 0%; the special tax rate for electric vehicle batteries has been adjusted from 10% to 5%.
03 Vietnam: Banning the Export of Rare Earth Ore
On December 11, the 10th Session of the 15th National Assembly of Vietnam adopted an amendment to the Law on Geology and Minerals, classifying rare earths as special strategic resources under strict state supervision and prohibiting the export of rare earth ore. The amendment will take effect on January 1, 2026.
04 Vietnam: Implementing Six New Standards for Imported Used Equipment for Chip R&D and Production
The Ministry of Science and Technology of Vietnam recently issued Circular No. 30/2025/TT-BKHCN, specifying new standards for imported used production lines, equipment, machinery, and tools that directly serve semiconductor chip manufacturing, packaging, and testing projects, as well as training, research, and development projects for digital technology products and services.
The circular will take effect on January 4, 2026.The circular stipulates that used production lines that meet the following conditions can be imported:
01.Not on the list of used, outdated, poor-quality, and environmentally polluting technology production lines announced by the exporting country.
02.The technology of the technical route is not on the list of technologies prohibited or restricted from transfer as stipulated in the Law on Technology Transfer.
03.Its manufacturing must comply with the provisions of national technical regulations (QCVN) on safety, energy conservation, and Environmental Protection.
04.The production capacity (calculated by the number of products produced by the production line per unit time) or remaining efficiency must reach 85% or more of the designed capacity or efficiency.
05.The consumption of raw materials and energy does not exceed 15% of the designed value.
06.For imported technical lines used for training, research, and development of digital technology products and services as stipulated in Clause 4, Article 21 of the Law on Digital Technology Industry, the standards specified in Clauses 4 and 5 of this Article shall not apply.The circular also stipulates that used equipment, machinery, and tools that meet the following conditions can be imported:
·Not on the list of outdated, poor-quality, and environmentally polluting machinery, equipment, and tools announced by the exporting country.
·The technology of the machinery, equipment, and tools is not on the list of technologies prohibited or restricted from transfer as stipulated in the Law on Technology Transfer.
·Must be manufactured in accordance with the provisions of national technical regulations (QCVN) on safety, energy conservation, and environmental protection.
·The service life of the equipment (calculated in years from the production year of the used machinery, equipment, and tools to the import year) shall not exceed 20 years. The import year refers to the year when the goods arrive at the Vietnamese border port.
·For imported machinery, equipment, and tools used for training, research, and development of digital technology products and services as stipulated in Clause 4, Article 21 of the Law on Digital Technology Industry, the standard specified in Clause 4 of this Article shall not apply.
05 Thailand: Levying Import Tax on Overseas Parcels from the First Baht, with a Simultaneous 7% VAT
The Thailand-Services Trade and Investment Agreement was signed on August 22, 2024. Currently, both China and Belarus have completed their domestic approval procedures for the agreement. The agreement will officially take effect on January 1, 2026.
In terms of trade in services, both parties have made opening-up commitments using a positive list approach and have formulated facilitation rules for 7 important service industries including telecommunications, transportation and logistics, finance, postal and courier services, health, tourism and travel, and computers. In terms of investment, both parties have made high-level opening-up commitments for non-service industry investments using the "pre-establishment national treatment plus negative list model" and incorporated comprehensive and high-level investment protection rules.
06 China and Belarus: Agreement on Trade in Services and Investment Officially Enters into Force
The Agreement on Trade in Services and Investment between the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of the Republic of Belarus was signed on August 22, 2024. Currently, both China and Belarus have completed their respective domestic treaty-ratification procedures. The Agreement officially enters into force on January 1, 2026.
In terms of trade in services, both parties have made opening-up commitments through a positive list approach, and specially formulated facilitation rules for 7 key service sectors, including telecommunications, transportation and logistics, finance, postal and courier services, health services, tourism and travel services, and computer services. In the field of investment, the two sides have made high-level opening-up commitments for non-service sector investments under the "pre-establishment national treatment plus negative list model", and incorporated comprehensive and high-standard investment protection rules.
07 Russia: Increasing Port Fees by 15% Starting January 1, 2026
According to a draft port fee adjustment submitted by the Federal Antimonopoly Service of Russia recently, starting January 1, 2026, multiple service fees at Russian ports will be uniformly increased by 15%, involving adjustments to fees for waterways, navigation, lighthouses, and ice-breaking services. The increase in relevant fees will directly push up the operating costs of a single voyage.
08 EU: Agreeing to Gradually Stop Importing Natural Gas from Russia
The Council of the European Union stated on October 20 that EU member states support the proposal to gradually stop importing natural gas from Russia by January 2028.
Starting January 1, 2026, the EU will prohibit all parties within the EU from signing new natural gas import contracts with Russia; at the same time, a transition period will be reserved for existing contracts, with short-term contracts lasting until June 17, 2026, and long-term contracts terminating by January 1, 2028. The proposal still needs to be approved by the European Parliament.
09 Zambia: Amending the Customs and Excise Act
On September 26, 2025, the Ministry of Finance of Zambia submitted the 2026 National Government Budget to the National Assembly, which includes amending the Customs and Excise Act, effective January 1, 2026. The main contents include:
(1)Import tariff reductions and exemptions. Canceling the 5% specific commodity surcharge on flat-rolled products of iron or non-alloy steel with paint, varnish, or plastic coating under import tariff number 7210.70.00; canceling tariffs on completely knocked-down (CKD) components for motor vehicle assembly, etc.;
(2) Import tariff protection measures. Imposing a 25% tariff on steel products under import tariff numbers 7213/7214/7215/7228; uniformly increasing the import tariff on float glass to 25%; increasing the import tariff on various meats from 25% to 40%.
10 Serbia: Law on Greenhouse Gas Emission Tax Enters into Force on January 1, 2026
On December 3, 2025, the National Assembly of Serbia adopted the Law on Greenhouse Gas Emission Tax, aiming to impose taxes on the emission of three types of greenhouse gases including carbon dioxide through the establishment of a fiscal mechanism.
The law will take effect on January 1, 2026, and the relevant provisions will be valid for ten years.
11 Bhutan: Mandatory Certification Required for 15 Categories of Imported Products Starting January 1, 2026
The competent authority of the Bhutan Standards Bureau has clarified that starting January 1, 2026, 15 categories of imported products must obtain certification from the Bhutan Standards Bureau before entering the Bhutanese market. The first phase of products includes pipes, steel bars, roof panels, machine-made wire mesh products, etc.
12 Multiple Shipping Companies: Increasing Freight Rates on Certain Routes Starting January 2026
Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC): Adjusting new rates to Kenya, Tanzania, and Mozambique, effective January 1.
Maersk: Adjusting Peak Season Surcharge (PSS) on routes from Asia to South Africa and Mauritius, effective January 1.
CMA CGM: Charging a peak season surcharge of $300-$450 per TEU for dry and refrigerated cargo from the Far East to West Africa.
Hapag-Lloyd: Implementing a General Rate Increase (GRI) on routes from Asia and Oceania to Africa, charging $500 per standard container.
13 Ocean Network Express (ONE): Adjusting the Structure of Additional Fees for Misdeclaration of Goods Starting January 1, 2026
01.Voluntary modification by customers for non-dangerous goods: $3,000 per container; Mandatory modification by ONE: $6,000 per container
02.Voluntary modification by customers for dangerous goods: $15,000 per container; Mandatory modification by ONE: $30,000 per container
14 US Federal Maritime Commission (FMC): Adjusting Rules on Detention, Demurrage, and Other Fees
On December 29, the US Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) officially issued a final rule, announcing the restoration of shipping companies' authority to directly charge detention and demurrage fees to trucking companies.