Many countries have recently adjusted import tariffs, and foreign trade may remain on the growth path in the first half of the year. The UK said that the situation in the Red Sea has not affected impo

/ Headlines /

Foreign trade has started well, and it is initially judged that it can remain on the growth path in the first half of the year.

Yu Jianhua, director of the General Administration of Customs, recently stated that according to the latest customs statistics, my country's import and export have continued to show a positive trend since the beginning of this year and achieved a "good start." Judging from the trend, favorable factors for foreign trade are gathering. Leading indicators monitored by the customs show that in January and February, the number of customs declarations increased by more than 10%, business confidence in business operations continued to increase, and the activity of domestic and overseas consignors and consignors increased significantly. The latest customs investigation found that there are plans to expand exports. The proportion of companies expanding imports increased by 23%, the highest since last year.

"Overall, this year's foreign trade has started well. It is initially judged that it can maintain the growth channel in the first half of the year. There is a solid foundation and conditions for achieving the steady improvement in quality and quantity proposed in the government work report throughout the year."

/ Automobile industry /

Automobile exports increased by more than 30% year-on-year in the first two months

The latest data released by the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers shows that since the beginning of this year, my country's automobile exports have continued to perform well. From January to February this year, 822,000 automobiles were exported, a year-on-year increase of 30.5%. Among them, 182,000 new energy vehicles were exported, a year-on-year increase of 7.5%. Not only new energy vehicles, but from January to February this year, 640,000 traditional fuel vehicles were exported, a year-on-year increase of 39%.

The China Association of Automobile Manufacturers said that since last year, China's automobile exports have continued to show strong growth momentum, reflecting that China's automobile industry has gradually demonstrated strong competitiveness in the international market in terms of technological innovation, cost control, and market layout.

/ Shipping /

Office for National Statistics: Red Sea situation has not affected UK goods imports

The UK statistics agency said chaos in the Red Sea region did not affect UK goods imports at the start of the year. Yemen's Houthi rebels have been attacking ships in the vital waterway since late last year, including sinking the British bulk carrier Rubymar last month, causing many shipping to reroute to longer, more expensive routes.

But UK imports have not been reduced by the turmoil. The Office for National Statistics said that inflows of goods imported from outside the EU increased by 700 million pounds in January this year. "There is no evidence of an impact on imports...the number of cargo and tanker visits in January was similar to previous years," the agency said.

/ USA /

Preliminary ruling on anti-subsidy for aluminum lithographic printing plates

On March 1, 2024, the U.S. Department of Commerce issued an announcement to make a positive preliminary anti-subsidy ruling on aluminum lithographic printing plates imported from China. The preliminary ruling was that Fujifilm Printing Plate (China) Co., Ltd. (Fujifilm Printing Plate (China) Co., Ltd.) has a tax rate of 38.50%, Shanghai National Ink Co. Ltd. has a tax rate of 231.98% due to non-cooperation, and other manufacturers/exporters have a tax rate of 38.50%. The U.S. Department of Commerce is expected to make a final countervailing ruling on July 9, 2024.

This case involves products under US Customs Codes 3701.30.0000 and 3701.99.6060 and some products under 3701.99.3000 and 8442.50.1000.

/ Australia /

Import tariffs on nearly 500 items will be eliminated

The Australian government recently announced on March 11 that it will cancel import tariffs on nearly 500 items starting from July 1 this year. The impact ranges from washing machines, refrigerators, dishwashers to clothing, sanitary napkins, bamboo chopsticks and other daily necessities.

Australian Finance Minister Chalmers said that this part of the tariff will account for 14% of the total tariff and is the largest unilateral tariff reform in the country in 20 years.

The specific product list will be announced in the Australian Budget on May 14.

/ Iraq /

Products exported to Iraq must obtain local quality certification

Shafaq News reported that the Iraqi Ministry of Planning stated that in order to protect the rights and interests of consumers and improve the quality of goods, starting from July 1, 2024, goods exported to Iraq must obtain the Iraqi "Quality Certification Mark". Iraq's Central Bureau of Standards and Quality Control urges manufacturers and importers of electronic products and cigarettes to apply for Iraq's "Quality Certification Mark." July 1 this year is the deadline, otherwise legal sanctions will be taken against violators

/ Azerbaijan /

Adjust import tariffs on some products

Azerbaijan's "Trend" website reported that the Prime Minister's Office of Azerbaijan recently revised the list of import and export products and the import tariff rates of some products, stipulating that beef, chicken, chicken, butter, mixed butter, whey oil, fresh and frozen tomatoes, cucumbers and gherkins Import duties on fresh grapes, apples, pears, some orange and other citrus juices, fruit juices, vegetable juice drinks, some energy drinks, industrial tobacco, unprocessed cigarette cores, and milk paste can be exempted for another 2 years. At the same time, the import tariff rate for almonds, dates, scallions and onions, peeled and washed hazelnuts, gypsum, anhydrite and some ceramic products will be adjusted to 15%.

/ cuba /

Adjust import tariffs on some products

According to the Cuban Debate Network, the Cuban Ministry of Finance and Prices recently issued Resolution No. 7 of 2024 in Cuba's "Official Gazette", deciding that starting from January 25, raw materials and intermediate products for production, especially raw materials and intermediate products for agricultural production, will The import tariff rate for intermediate products will be reduced by 50%.

On the same day, the Ministry also jointly issued Joint Resolution No. 1 of 2024 with the Cuban Ministry of Foreign Trade and Foreign Investment, raising import tariffs on cigars, cigarettes, and alcoholic beverages including rum to 30% starting from January 25 (related products The most-favored-nation tariff rate is increased to 15%).

/ Lithuania /

Proposed revision of national control procedures for imported foods of non-animal origin

On March 6, 2024, the Lithuanian State Food and Veterinary Service (VMVT) issued draft resolution No. 24-3468, which intends to amend Order No. B1-478 on the national control procedures for imported foods of non-animal origin. The feedback period ends in 2024. March 20th. The main revisions include:

(1) Grain and its products imported to Lithuania by land or sea should be declared to the VMVT border inspection station at least 24 hours in advance;

(2) VMVT will inspect every vehicle or other means of transport that transports grain and its products imported into Lithuania;

(3) During the unloading process, VMVT will collect samples and submit them for testing of pesticide residues, mycotoxins, heavy metals (lead, cadmium), microorganisms and other items. They can be sold only after passing the test.

/ India /

India signs free trade agreement with four European countries

On March 10, local time, after 16 years of negotiations, India and the European Free Trade Association signed a free trade agreement - the Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement. According to the agreement, India will eliminate most tariffs on industrial products from European Free Trade Association member states in exchange for an investment of US$100 billion over 15 years, involving fields such as medicine, machinery and manufacturing.

The European Free Trade Association was established in 1960 and is regarded as a "checking force" against the EU. Its member states include Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland, none of which are members of the EU.

/ Cross-border e-commerce /

Guangzhou's cross-border e-commerce has achieved a 136-fold increase in import and export scale in nine years, and its import scale has ranked first in the country for nine consecutive years. After Guangzhou's cross-border e-commerce import and export transactions exceeded 100 billion for the first time in 2022, it broke the 200 billion yuan mark for the first time in 2023, achieving new leaps at the 100 billion mark for two consecutive years. In 2023, Guangzhou's cross-border e-commerce import and export scale will grow at a year-on-year growth rate of over 45%, which is almost three times the national growth rate of 15.6%.

On March 1, the executive meeting of the Guangzhou Municipal Government reviewed and approved the "Several Policies and Measures for Further Promoting the High-Quality Development of Cross-border E-Commerce in Guangzhou" (hereinafter referred to as the "Several Measures"), once again emphasizing support for the development of cross-border e-commerce enterprises.