China announced revised standards of origin for some commodities for trade with Macau, it said Dec. 24, according to an unofficial translation. The changes take effect Jan. 1.
India removed export restrictions on medical goggles and certain disposable gloves, the country’s Directorate General of Foreign Trade said Dec. 22. Those items may now be freely exported with no restrictions, India said. It previously announced an export quota for the gloves (see 2010270019).
The Singapore Customs TradeNet will undergo system maintenance Jan. 10, 4 a.m. to noon local time, a Dec. 28 notice said. 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.
China temporarily suspended poultry imports from Ireland due to an “avian influenza” outbreak in the country, a Dec. 24 notice said, according to an unofficial translation. All illegal imports of poultry or poultry products from Ireland will be returned or destroyed, China said. The suspension took effect Dec. 24.
China extended tariff exemptions on certain U.S. chemical and oil products, a Dec. 25 notice said, according to an unofficial translation. The exemptions, renewed through Dec. 25, 2021, cover six items, including certain lubricating oils, wax, polyethylene and polypropylene (see 1912190024). The exemptions were scheduled to expire Dec. 25.
Australia will host a virtual technology summit to discuss key technology issues with allies, including security concerns surrounding cyber and critical technologies, Australia’s foreign ministry said Dec. 23. The Sydney Dialogue, planned for the second half of 2021, will aim to bring together “political leaders, industry experts, academics and civil society representatives” to discuss “the most pressing issues” around sensitive technologies. Australia said it wants “the design, creation and use of technology to reflect our values.” The summit comes as the U.S. and the European Union grapple with how to control emerging and sensitive technologies to prevent authoritarian governments from using them (see 2012140049 and 2009300056).
China’s General Administration of Customs issued an announcement on inspections and supervisors of imports and exports of “dangerous chemicals and their packaging,” according to an unofficial translation of a Dec. 18 notice. The notice includes rules and procedures for customs officials and traders when shipping the hazardous chemicals, including what should be in the declarations, how they should be labeled and packaged, what standards the goods must meet and other rules. The announced rules and procedures go into effect Jan. 10, 2021.
India set its quota for sugar exports to the U.S. for the 2021 fiscal year, the country’s Directorate General of Foreign Trade said Dec. 18. India said it will allocate 8,424 metric tons raw value of sugar products to be exported to the U.S. for the fiscal year that runs Oct. 1, 2020, through Sept. 30, 2021, with no export restrictions.
India revised its import policy conditions for copra and certain coconut oil, a Directorate General of Foreign Trade notice said Dec. 21. The notice changes how the goods can be imported by India’s state trading enterprises and other companies.
China issued new rules for conducting national security reviews on foreign investment, following a trend of increased investment screening mechanisms around the world, including by the U.S. (see 2001140060) and the European Union (see 2010090016). The measures, which will take effect next month, draw on other international investment screening mechanisms and are meant to “actively promote and protect foreign investment, China said Dec. 19, according to an unofficial translation. The rules establish a working body to review foreign investments based on national security concerns related to various Chinese sectors, including the military and the energy and agriculture industries.