China’s Shenzhen region recently strengthened its import controls for frozen meat and aquatic products to better prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council reported Aug. 28. All covered imports must first go through a recently created “supervision warehouse” in Shenzhen, where the goods' packaging will be disinfected and samples will undergo nucleic acid tests before they can be stored, sold and processed, HKTDC said. The goods cannot leave the warehouse before obtaining a warehouse exit certificate.
China revised its list of technologies subject to export controls, including some dual-use items, the country’s Commerce Ministry and Ministry of Science and Technology said Aug. 28, according to unofficial translations. The list has 53 revisions, China’s Commerce Ministry said, including the addition of export restrictions on 23 “new technology items.” The Ministry of Science and Technology provided a Chinese-language notice outlining the changes.
India recently notified the World Trade Organization of its draft regulations for new and revised standards for dairy products, the U.S. Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service reported Aug. 25. The regulations contain new provisions on labeling requirements and the composition of the products. The revised standards apply to ghee (clarified butter) and other milk fat products. Comments on the regulations are due in New Delhi Oct. 12.
India revised its export policies for certain personal protective equipment, the country’s Directorate General of Foreign Trade said Aug. 25. The change removes restrictions on exports of medical coveralls and 2/3 ply surgical masks, and sets monthly export quotes for medical goggles and “N-95/FFP2” masks. The monthly export quota is 2 million (20 lakh) for medical goggles and 5 million (50 lakh) for the restricted masks. Nitrite/NBR gloves continue to be prohibited for export, the notice said.
China will allow imports of avocados from the Dominican Republic, the country’s General Administration of Customs said in an Aug. 26 notice, according to an unofficial translation. The imports are subject to phytosanitary and quarantine requirements, described in the notice, it said.
China’s Foreign Ministry termed “unjustified” the U.S. decision to add 24 Chinese companies to the Commerce Department’s Entity List (see 2008260038), saying it interferes in Chinese internal affairs. “We urge the U.S. to correct its mistake and immediately stop meddling in China's internal affairs,” a ministry spokesperson said during an Aug 27 news conference. “China will take firm measures to safeguard Chinese businesses and citizens' lawful interests.”
Singapore Customs’ TradeNet will undergo system maintenance Sept. 13, 4 a.m. to 4 p.m. local time, an Aug. 26 notice said. The agency advised users to avoid submitting applications during this time. This is in addition to the Aug. 30 extended downtime (see 2008120025) and usual 4 a.m. to 8 a.m. maintenance on Sundays.
China is suspending imports of cloven-hoofed animals and their products from Mozambique, due to a foot-and-mouth disease outbreak among cattle in the region, an Aug. 25 notice said, according to an unofficial translation. Chinese customs authorities will destroy the imports if they are found passing through border checkpoints, and traders will be subject to customs penalties, China said. The suspension took effect Aug. 20.
China’s customs authority issued a list of more than 25 imports and exports subject to random inspections, an Aug. 21 notice said, according to an unofficial translation. The inspections will be carried out on a range of clothing, appliances and electronic products, including children’s clothing, scarves, toilets, dishwashers, monitors and microcomputers that are imported, and exports such as children’s bicycles and plush toys. The new inspections took effect Aug. 21.
Japan will use a public-private partnership to create and implement measures to regulate the country’s growing “alternative meat industry,” the U.S. Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service reported Aug. 17. The partnership will aim to establish standards for “insect-based and plant-based foods derived through innovative technologies.” They will develop standards for food safety, quality, international export, and proposed guidelines for labeling and product certification. The USDA said Japan planned to begin this summer a process of creating working groups to focus on the standards by product category, such as insects for feed or cultured meat.