China said it will continue to impose antidumping measures on imported acetone from Japan, Singapore, South Korea and Taiwan, according to an unofficial translation of a June 5 notice. Introduced in 2008, the measures will be imposed for another five years, China said.

China’s Commerce Ministry criticized the U.S.’ recent addition of Chinese companies to the Entity List (see 2006030032) and said it will take “all necessary measures” to defend the rights of its companies, according to an unofficial translation of a June 5 notice. China said the U.S. has “abused” its export control measures, “causing serious damage to the international economic and trade order and a serious threat to the security of the global industrial supply chain.”

China released a list of approved pre-shipment inspection agencies for imported solid waste used as raw materials, according to an unofficial translation of a June 3 notice. China is ramping up efforts to decrease solid waste imports (see 2006030010).

China issued customs measures and a “trial entry and exit management system for goods” at the “Yangpu Bonded Port Area,” part of the Hainan free trade port (see 2006030007), according to an unofficial translation of a June 3 notice. Along with the trial management system, the measures contain a list of restricted goods and products that require inspections and quarantine.

Sri Lanka lifted import restrictions on certain raw materials but will still ban a wide range of imports, including certain automobiles, furniture, agricultural goods and other items, according to a June 3 report from the Hong Kong Trade Development Council. The country lifted import restrictions on materials used “in the production of export goods or import substitution items,” the report said, such as cement, steel, plastics and rubber, the HKTDC said. However, restrictions are still in place for certain fruits, dairy products, seafood and certain auto products, the report said. The ban, introduced in April, arose from a “decline in export earnings” and tourism due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

China released a plan this week for its Hainan free trade port, aiming to turn it into a global trading hub by eliminating tariffs and other trade barriers. The port will serve as the “frontline of China's integration into the global economic system,” according to a June 1 report from Xinhua, China’s state-run news agency. The island province also will be given “more autonomy in reform … thus clearing institutional obstacles hampering the flow of production factors.” China said it hopes to establish the port by 2025. The announcement comes less than a week after the U.S. certified that Hong Kong no longer qualifies for special customs treatment under U.S. law (see 2005290047).

China recently passed a law to further reduce imports of solid waste, according to a June 3 report from the Hong Kong Trade Development Council. The law, which takes effect Sept. 1, includes provisions to help China reach its goal of zero imported solid waste, including permit requirements for certain activities and the introduction of a “domestic waste sorting system.” China previously expanded efforts to combat solid waste smuggling (see 1904120045 and 1903250021).

Three men were arrested in Singapore after importing more than $1 million worth (in Singapore dollars) of counterfeit cigarettes, Singapore customs said in a June 2 notice. Authorities discovered the illegal imports after the customs agency seized three cigarette containers that had been awaiting reexport to other countries, the notice said. The containers contained more than 1.5 million packets of counterfeit cigarettes, the notice said. Singapore officials also raided “multiple locations” linked to the three men, and said investigations are ongoing. Each of the men faces a maximum $100,000 fine and a five-year prison sentence, or both.

Singapore will update its “Strategic Goods (Control) Regulations,” including changes to record-keeping requirements, brokering activities, certain technology transfers and more, Singapore Customs said in a June 1 notice. The changes take effect Aug. 3.

India announced restrictions on certain alcohol-based hand sanitizers “in containers with dispenser pumps,” according to a June 1 notice from the country’s Directorate General of Foreign Trade. The notice contains Harmonized System codes for the restricted products. India previously restricted exports of alcohol-based hand sanitizers, (see 2005060023), but this notice, “with immediate effect,” only prohibits exports with the dispenser pump packaging.