Thailand's imports of U.S. cotton are expected to “decline significantly” this year compared to 2019-2020, the U.S. Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service reported April 2. The country’s total cotton imports are expected to fall 21% from the previous year, USDA said, adding that spinners are still concerned about the slow global pandemic recovery, which caused a sharp dip in demand for textiles and garments. The agency added that “key foreign customers” for cotton, including China, Japan and the European Union, have reportedly canceled, suspended or delayed payments for orders since the beginning of the pandemic. Although cotton trade is expected to pick up next year, consumption will remain “far below” the five-year average due to the slow COVID-19 pandemic recovery.

Despite a recent outbreak of avian influenza in Japan, the demand for imported chicken meat is expected to only increase slightly this year, the U.S. Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service reported April 2. USDA said the outbreak will “continue to put downward pressure on supply,” but traders are likely to “moderate imports by drawing down” existing stocks. USDA also said lingering COVID-19 pandemic impacts in Japan are expected to “slow” the country’s recovery in “foodservice demand.” However, rising domestic chicken prices could contribute to a small increase in imports for retailers, the report said.

India's Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs updated Section 46 of the Customs Act, making changes to customs clearance procedure for imports on March 29, according to a C.H. Robinson report. The update provides guidelines for importers on submitting an Import Bill of Entry, including an outline on the requirements for various modes of import and origin country. For instance, imports from Bangladesh, Maldives, Myanmar, Pakistan and Sri Lanka must submit their Bill of Entry at the latest by the end of the day when the vehicle arrives in India. Goods from all other countries must submit their Bill of Entry the day before the vehicle arrives at the latest.

China's customs agency blocked imports of products from American poultry company Wayne Farms due to the detection of a new coronavirus nucleic acid in one of the company's shipments, an April 2 customs notice said, according to an unofficial translation. The virus was detected in a packaging sample found on a batch of frozen jumbo chicken shanks. The suspension of acceptance of products from Wayne Farms is for one week from April 2.

China is now allowing imports of Albanian honey, the country’s General Administration of Customs said in a March 31 notice, according to an unofficial translation. The notice includes quarantine and inspections requirements for the imports.

The Singapore Customs TradeNet will undergo system maintenance April 11 4 a.m. to noon local time, it said April 1. The agency advised users to avoid submitting applications during this time. This is in addition to the usual 4 a.m. to 8 a.m. Sunday maintenance.

Pakistan's Cabinet reversed a government economic committee decision to import cotton and sugar from India, Pakistan's Minister for Human Rights Shireen Mazari tweeted April 1. Pakistan suspended trade with India in August 2019 after New Delhi revoked the autonomy for its part of the disputed Kashmir territory. The Cabinet discussed resuming trade once full autonomy had been restored to the region of Kashmir, Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed said, Bloomberg reported. The government economic committee initially responsible for the decision to resume trade did so to address cotton and sugar shortages and to stabilize prices for the commodities, Bloomberg said.

India's Director General of Foreign Trade extended until Sept. 30 the Handbook of Procedures under the Foreign Trade Policy 2015-2020 and the Foreign Trade (Development & Regulation) Act of 1992. The DGFT made the announcement in a March 31 notice, the day the regulations were to expire.

Starting April 1, the Customs Branch of Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Vietnam will deploy an automated customs system for customs management and supervision, CustomsNews, the Vietnamese customs agency’s mouthpiece, reported April 1. The system will be used at two airport terminals, one managed by Tan Son Nhat Cargo Services Joint Stock Co. and the other by the Saigon Cargo Service Joint Stock Co.

After a week that had Swedish clothing retailer H&M see its stores disappear from maps in China and face boycotts (see 2103260021) over its comments relating to accusations of forced labor in China's Xinjiang region, the retail chain is attempting to rebuild trust with the Asian nation. In a March 31 statement, the H&M Group said it was working with its colleagues in China to maintain its long-term commitments. “We are dedicated to regaining the trust and confidence of our customers, colleagues, and business partners in China,” it said. “We believe we can take steps in our joint efforts to develop the fashion industry, as well as serve our customers and act in a respectful way.”