Kazakhstan recently imposed export restrictions on wheat and wheat flour to ensure domestic “food security” amid Russia’s war in Ukraine, the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service said in an April 28 report. The restrictions, in place until June 15, will limit the country’s grain exporters to a total of 1 million metric tons of wheat exports and 300,000 MT of wheat flour exports. Many in Kazakhstan don’t view the restrictions as “overly burdensome,” USDA said, adding that the limits are “in line” with the country’s monthly April to June wheat and wheat flour exports over the previous five years. Other grain exporters objected to the restrictions because the measures could force them to renegotiate contracts, USDA said.
Japan adjusted the scope of its antidumping duty investigation on hot-dipped galvanized steel wire from China and South Korea and extended the period of the investigation to receive comments on the expanded scope, the Ministry of Finance announced April 28. Since June, the Finance and the Economy, Trade and Industry ministries have been conducting the AD investigation but recently determined the scope needs to be expanded to cover hot-dip galvanized iron wire containing a small amount of boron, according to an unofficial translation. With the expanded scope, the extension until Dec. 13 provides opportunities for interested parties to submit additional evidence with regard to that scope adjustment.
Singapore announced it will block all transfers of goods to Myanmar for items deemed to have potential military applications, Singapore Customs said April 25. The measures come as Singapore attempts to "ensure regional peace and security" and block the transfer of military products to places in the region "where there is a serious risk that the items may be used for violence against unarmed civilians."
China’s commerce ministry recently released draft implementing regulations for its dual-use export control law (see 2105180023). The regulations outline how the agency will administer export licensing, enforcement and penalties, according to an unofficial translation of the regulations. They also include more information on an upcoming dual-use product list. China is accepting public comments on the draft regulations until May 22.
India launched a new online module for filing applications for recognition as a Pre-Shipment Inspection Agency, electronic issuance of Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificates and electronic verification of authenticity of the PSICs, starting from May 1, the Directorate General of Foreign Trade announced April 26. All existing PSIAs are required to register online, the notice said. All PSICs will be mandatorily generated online through the DGFT's website, effective July 1.
The Singapore Customs TradeNet will undergo extended system maintenance May 8 4 a.m. to 4 p.m. local time, it said April 22. Singapore Customs advises users to avoid submitting applications during this time. This is in addition to the usual 4 a.m. to 8 a.m. Sunday maintenance.
The helpdesk for India's Directorate General of Foreign Trade is now available 24/7, the DGFT announced in an April 22 notice. Traders can call, submit a helpdesk ticket on the DGFT website or email to ask questions relating to trading issues with India, the notice said.
India opened applications for the tariff rate quota under the India-Mauritius Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement for the 2022-23 financial year on a first-come, first-served basis, the Directorate General of Foreign Trade said April 20. No end date for the submissions was established for TRQ applications.
Malaysia recently updated its customs duty order to cover a range of emerging products and technologies, including drones, smartphones and vapes, KPMG said April 20. Importers need to take steps to accurately declare the tariff codes of the new products, KPMG said, especially importers of agricultural, chemical, wood, textile, metal and machinery goods. The changes take effect June 1.
Indonesia recently increased its value-added tax from 10% to 11%, which will affect a range of taxable goods and imports, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council reported April 21. The increase, which took effect April 1, will apply to certain liquefied petroleum gas, agricultural goods and fertilizer products, the report said. It will also apply to certain logistical services, including freight forwarding and package delivery.