China last week issued a new “foreign relations law” that could bolster the country’s ability to respond to foreign trade restrictions, including sanctions. The law, adopted by the Standing Committee of the 14th National People's Congress and effective July 1, says that China can take “law enforcement and judicial measures” to protect its national interests and those of its companies against restrictions imposed by other countries, and “has the right to take corresponding countermeasures and restrictive measures,” according to an unofficial translation of the document. The law specifically authorizes China to use “legislation, law enforcement, and judicial means to fight against acts of containment, interference, sanctions, and sabotage.”
China implemented export restrictions on gallium- and germanium-related items, which are used to make semiconductors and other key technology, the Chinese Ministry of Commerce announced, according to an unofficial translation. The restrictions will start Aug. 1 and are to protect China's national security, the ministry said. China is the top producer of the two metals, which are also used in solar panels, lasers and night-vision goggles. Gallium and germanium exporters will be required to apply for a license and report on their international buyers.
The World Customs Organization released version 4 of the WCO Data Model, the latest iteration of its universal language for cross-border data exchange, the WCO said in a June 30 news release. The release of Version 4 includes the introduction of the WCO Data Model app, “a free interactive web-based application providing users the ability to easily view, search, and compare data elements in the WCO DM without the need to navigate through multiple platforms,” as well as providing "access to guidance materials and other national information packages.”
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is extending its deadline for the new shipborne dunnage program to Nov. 6, Livingston International said June 30. The original directive for the program, published Jan. 6, made the deadline for compliance July 6. The extension was announced to "allow more time for the industry to address implementation issues," Livingston said. The order also includes amendments to "approved heat treatments and marking requirements made under the International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPM) 15," Livingston said. CFIA did not immediately respond to our request for comment.
Canada's proposed "last sale" change to its customs valuation practice could present a host of problems for customs brokers, law firm Neville Peterson said in a blog post. If the regulatory change, which would require imports to be assessed duties according to the price of their "sale for export," is approved, brokers would have to examine resales to accurately file entries and would "no doubt be required to file many post-importation adjustments," the firm said.
The U.S. candidate for World Customs Organization secretary general was elected to the post June 24. Ian Saunders, whose five-year term will begin Jan. 1, is currently deputy assistant secretary at the Commerce Department’s International Trade Administration. The secretary-general is responsible for "overseeing the day-to-day activities of the WCO Secretariat," the WCO said in a news release. Saunders has over 20 years in customs and more than 30 years' experience in international relations, CBP and the WCO said.
BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Volkswagen each told us in emailed statements early on June 22 that they can’t directly comment on allegations in a forced labor complaint purportedly filed against them in Germany, because they have not seen the contents of the complaint. But they each said they do set standards for labor in their supply chains, and verify compliance with those standards.
A European human rights advocacy group recently filed a complaint with the German government against BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Volkswagen alleging the three automakers aren’t meeting German Supply Chain Act due diligence requirements that their supply chains are free from forced labor.
Canada's proposal to alter its customs valuation policy to value imports according to the price of their "last sale" or "sale for export" not only would be bad for business, it "could also be illegal," lawyers at Sandler Travis said in a June client alert. The firm said the proposal is contrary to Canadian court precedent and the World Trade Organization's Customs Valuation Code that identifies the sale for export as the one in which "title is passed to the importer of the goods."
The European Commission said the EU Council will still have to approve negotiating instructions for a critical minerals agreement with the U.S. before formal negotiations can begin, but the Commission adopted those directives June 14, it announced.