China is ushering in regulatory updates that impact everything from travel protocols to trade rules. These changes are vital for investors, business owners, and travelers to understand.
Separately, this article also highlights China’s ceramic tile exports for the first half of 2023. The data is key for industry stakeholders. Both segments of the article aim to provide a quick yet comprehensive overview for a diverse audience.
We also have an article about Choosing Ceramic Tiles in China: A Buyer’s Guide.
Table of Contents
Starting August 30, No Pre-Entry COVID Tests Required for Travelers to China
As of August 30, 2023, travelers coming to China will no longer need to undergo pre-entry COVID-19 nucleic acid or antigen tests.
On August 29, the Customs authorities announced that starting from midnight on August 30, 2023 (local time), travelers entering the country will not need to declare the results of a nucleic acid or antigen test for the novel coronavirus taken within 48 hours prior to entry when submitting their health declaration to Customs.
General Administration of Customs: Complete Suspension of Japanese Seafood Imports
On August 24, the Customs General Administration announced that, to comprehensively prevent the risks of radioactive contamination of food safety caused by Japan’s Fukushima nuclear polluted water discharge and protect the health of Chinese consumers, the import of aquatic products originating from Japan (including edible aquatic animals) will be fully suspended starting from August 24, 2023.
Hong Kong and Macau Prohibit the Import of Japanese Aquatic Products Starting August 24
In response to Japan’s Fukushima nuclear contaminated water discharge plan, starting from the 24th, Hong Kong will ban the import of aquatic products from 10 prefectures including Tokyo, Fukushima, Chiba, Tochigi, Ibaraki, Gunma, Miyagi, Niigata, Nagano, and Saitama. The Macau Special Administrative Region government also announced a similar ban.
State Council Releases 24 Measures to Attract More Foreign Investment
Recently, the State Council released opinions on further optimizing the environment for foreign investment, presenting 24 policy measures in six areas:
- Improving the quality of utilizing foreign investment;
- Ensuring national treatment for foreign-invested enterprises;
- Continuously strengthening the protection of foreign investment;
- Enhancing the convenience of investment and operation;
- Increasing financial and tax support;
- Improving the methods of promoting foreign investment.
Drone Export Controls to Take Effect on September 1
Two announcements regarding export controls on drones have been issued. These announcements impose export controls on certain specialized drone engines, crucial payloads, radio communication devices, and civilian anti-drone systems, among other things. They also impose a temporary two-year export control on some consumer-grade drones.
Additionally, the export of all civilian drones not listed in the control measures for military purposes is prohibited. These policies will take effect starting September 1.
Regulations on Limiting Excessive Packaging of Food and Cosmetics to Take Effect on September 1
New mandatory national standards on limiting excessive packaging for 31 types of food and 16 types of cosmetics will take effect from September 1, 2023.
From the aspects of packaging void ratio, the number of packaging layers, and packaging cost, the regulations standardize the packaging requirements for 31 types of food and 16 types of cosmetics. Products that do not meet the new standards are not allowed to be produced, sold, or imported.
Three Departments Extend Tax Policy on Returned E-commerce Exports
Recently, China’s Ministry of Finance, Customs, and Taxation jointly announced the extension of a tax policy through December 31, 2025. The policy exempts certain returned cross-border e-commerce exports from import duties and taxes if they are returned within 6 months due to unsold stock or customer returns. Previously collected export duties will be refunded, and relevant domestic tax rules will apply for any collected value-added and consumption taxes.
Customs Administration Makes Decisions on Commodity Classification
To facilitate the correct declaration of commodity classification by importers and exporters, the Customs General Administration has made decisions on commodity classification, effective from August 1, 2023.
Three Departments Adjust "Zero Tariff" Policy for Vehicles and Yachts in Hainan Free Trade Port
On August 15, three departments released a notice on adjusting the “zero tariff” policy for vehicles and yachts in Hainan Free Trade Port.
For 22 types of goods, including road tractors for semi-trailers, apron buses, all-terrain vehicles, and hybrid passenger cars with 9 seats or fewer (plug-in), import duties, value-added tax on imports, and consumption tax are exempted according to relevant regulations.
General Administration of Customs Adjusts Inspection and Supervision Methods for Imported Lead and Zinc Ores
On August 30, the Customs General Administration announced adjustments to the inspection and supervision methods for imported lead and zinc ores, effective from September 1, 2023.
The announcement states that the current practice of batch-by-batch sampling and quality inspection by Customs on imported lead ore and concentrates, as well as zinc ore and concentrates, will be adjusted to be carried out upon enterprise application. When necessary, Customs will conduct supervisory inspections. The announcement will take effect from September 1, 2023.
Ceramic Tile Export Situation in China for the First Half of 2023
Statistics for the Top 20 Countries or Regions in Ceramic Tile Exports
According to the analysis of customs statistical data by the Ceramic Information editorial team, in terms of export value, in the first half of 2023, the top 10 countries or regions to which China exported ceramic tiles are the Philippines, Hong Kong (China), Vietnam, Myanmar, South Korea, Indonesia, Thailand, Cambodia, Malaysia, and Australia. The total export value of the top 20 countries or regions accounted for 76.36%.
In terms of export volume, the top 10 countries or regions for China’s ceramic tile exports in the first half of 2023 were the Philippines, Indonesia, South Korea, Malaysia, Cambodia, Thailand, Australia, Peru, Israel, and the Dominican Republic. The total export volume for the top 20 countries or regions accounted for 81.29%.
Statistics for the Top 10 Provinces (Cities) in Ceramic Tile Exports
In terms of export value, seven of the top 10 provinces showed a growth trend in the first half of 2023. Among them, Guangdong province accounted for 38.12% of the total export value, showing an increase of 8.80%. The total export value of the top 10 provinces accounted for 93.02%.
In terms of export volume, Guangdong province accounted for 59.61% of the total export volume, showing an increase of 4.77%. The total export volume of the top 10 provinces accounted for 96.7%.