Japan has requested World Trade Organization consultations with India, accusing it of imposing tariffs “inconsistent” with the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade and “in excess” of its WTO commitments, Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Industry and Trade said in a May 10 notice. Japan said India raised tariffs on various products, including information and communications technology products, nine times since 2014, calling them violations of the WTO and GATT. Japan said it has “repeatedly” asked India to withdraw the tariffs during trade talks and WTO committees, but “the two sides have been unable to settle the dispute.” Japan specifically mentioned tariffs on six products that it disputes: “feature phones,” smartphones, “base stations” for cell phones, “digital microwave communication equipment,” “printed-circuit board assemblies” and LCD modules for smartphones.

Singapore announced a $109,000 fine on the former director of a freight forwarding company after he pleaded guilty to 26 charges of making false customs declarations, Singapore Customs announced in a May 9 notice. If Lim Boon Kheng, former director of Akarui Pte Ltd., is unable or unwilling to pay the fines, he faces nearly two years in prison, the notice said.

Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry updated its “end-user list” to provide exporters information on “foreign entities” that may be involved in weapons proliferation. The update last month added five entities to the list “for which concern cannot be eliminated regarding involvement” in weapons of mass destruction, the ministry said in a notice. Exporters must submit applications for goods that may be used for the development of weapons of mass destruction “even if they are not subject to export restrictions under international agreements,” the notice said.

The Philippines Bureau of Customs recently issued guidelines on appeals procedures for merchandise it declares abandoned. After BOC issues an order of abandonment, the “aggrieved party” may file an appeal with the district office within 15 days of receipt of the order. The district collector then has five days to decide the appeal, and another two to transmit to the commissioner of customs notice of the final decision. That decision is subject to protest. Once the order becomes final, “the subject shipments shall be immediately disposed by the concerned District Collector,” the notice said.

The Philippines Bureau of Customs recently issued guidance on the processing, approval and payment of duty drawback, refund and abatement, BOC said in a May 7 press release. The new guidelines loosen restrictions on cash refund payments, and provide that tax credit certificates may not be assigned or transferred. The guidance also codifies “all existing rules and regulations pertaining to Duty Drawback, Refund and Abatement in the BOC, consistent with the provisions of the” Customs Modernization and Tariff Act, enacted by the Philippines in 2016.

India’s Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs is looking into the “quality and cost of services” in the country’s customs, such as shipping lines and customs brokers, and is planning to abandon “physical supervision” in bonded warehouses, according to a May 7 report from the India Brand Equity Foundation. The announcement is part of a larger examination by the CBIC into “issues” faced by its exporters in an attempt to improve “trade facilitation.”

Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross, speaking May 7 in New Delhi, chided India for its high tariffs and non-tariff barriers, blaming them for the trade deficit with the U.S. He did not acknowledge the termination of the Generalized System of Preferences benefits for India. Although the administration warned India could be terminated from the GSP program as of May 4, so far, that has not happened. However, Ross did tell a local TV station, according to Reuters, that retaliation for the end of GSP would be inappropriate.

A mutual recognition arrangement between Singapore and Australia on authorized economic operator programs takes effect May 15, Singapore Customs said in a May 6 circular. Under the MRA, members of trusted trader programs in Singapore and Australia -- Secure Trade Partnership and Australian Trusted Trader, respectively -- will now receive “facilitated customs clearance” in the other country. Singapore companies that are non-members of STP but are exporting to or importing from ATT companies, and Australian companies that are non-members of ATT but are exporting to or importing from STP companies, may still receive benefits if they include their business partner’s AEO code on their export or import declaration.

The European Union and Vietnam plan to ratify the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement by the end of 2019, according to a report from Vietnam's CustomsNews website, citing HSBC. The EU has scheduled trade discussions for May 28, the notice said. The agreement will increase trade and eliminate “virtually all tariffs on goods,” according to an announcement when several of the pact's agreements were adopted by European Commission in 2018. Vietnam will remove 65 percent of import duties on EU exports “with the remainder of duties being gradually eliminated over a 10-year period,” the EU said.

Singapore police arrested three men after Singapore Customs said they imported about $300,000 worth of counterfeit cellphone parts from China, the customs agency said in a May 2 press release. Customs first discovered the scheme in April, when officials intercepted a shipment from China at the Changi Airfreight Centre of more than 500 phone parts, Customs said. After “raids” at three separate locations, police said they found more than 3,400 counterfeit phone parts imported by the three men with “falsely applied trademarks of well-known brands.” Customs said the men imported the parts for “the purpose of trade.” The maximum penalty for importing or selling counterfeit goods is $100,000 and five years in prison, Customs said.