On February 1, some low-concentration triethanolamine mixtures in China do not need to handle the import and export approval of monitoring chemicals. On January 25, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and other three departments issued the Notice on Optimizing the import and export supervision measures of low-concentration triethanolamine mixtures, which has been implemented since February 1. The "Notice" stipulates that non-medical disinfectants, synthetic washing powder, cosmetics, ink and other consumer products with low triethanolamine content are not controlled items, and there is no need to apply for import and export approval procedures of monitored chemicals and import and export licenses of dual-use items and technologies. In accordance with Order No. 7 of the National Development and Reform Commission, the Guidance Catalogue for Industrial Structure Adjustment (2024) will be implemented from February 1, 2024. The Catalogue (2024 edition) has a total of 1005 items, of which 352 are encouraged, 231 are restricted and 422 are eliminated.
The Measures for the Protection of Geographical Indication Products shall come into force on February 1. The Measures for the Protection of Geographical Indication Products issued by the State Intellectual Property Office shall come into force on February 1, 2024. The measures are a total of 36 articles, which clearly require that all or the main production links of geographical indication products should occur within a limited geographical scope, and the products have more obvious quality characteristics and specific reputations; The applicant is required to take measures to manage the use of protected geographical indication product names and special marks, product characteristics and quality, and the producer should organize production in accordance with the corresponding standards, otherwise the special marks will not be used. On January 25, representatives of the Chinese and Singaporean governments signed the Agreement between the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of the Republic of Singapore on Mutual Visa Exemption for Holders of ordinary Passports in Beijing. The agreement will enter into force on February 9, 2024 (Lunar New Year's Eve). At that time, holders of ordinary passports of the two sides can enter each other's country visa-free for private affairs such as tourism, family visits and business, and stay for no more than 30 days. On January 5, the Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) issued a notice to initiate an anti-dumping investigation into the import of spirits made from distilled wine in containers less than 200 liters from the European Union (commonly known as brandy). The dumping investigation period established in this investigation is from October 1, 2022 to September 30, 2023, and the industry injury investigation period is from January 1, 2019 to September 30, 2023.
Starting from January 11, 2024, the National Immigration Administration officially implemented five measures to facilitate foreigners to come to China, further opening up the relevant blockages for foreigners to do business, study and travel in China, better serve to ensure a high level of opening-up and promote high-quality development. It includes relaxing the requirements for foreign nationals to apply for port visas, exempting foreign nationals from inspection procedures in 24-hour direct transit at hubs such as Beijing Capital Airport, and simplifying the application materials for visa documents for foreign nationals in China. In order to give full play to the functional role of tax revenue in supporting the stabilization of foreign trade and foreign investment, the State Administration of Taxation sorted out and updated the current effective relevant tax support policies and collection and management service measures, and formed a new version of the Stable Foreign trade and foreign Investment tax Policy Guidelines and released on January 15. The Guidelines are divided into two major areas of stabilizing foreign trade policy and stabilizing foreign investment policy, including a total of 51 specific contents. On January 1, the General Administration of Customs issued Notice No. 1 of 2024 (Notice on Inspection, quarantine and health requirements for the import of Brunei Wild aquatic products), and from now on, Brunei wild aquatic products that meet the relevant requirements are allowed to be imported.
On January 1, the General Administration of Customs issued Notice No. 2 of 2024 (Notice on Inspection, quarantine and health requirements for imported Brunei cultured aquatic products), and from now on, Brunei cultured aquatic products that meet the relevant requirements are allowed to be imported. On January 19, the General Administration of Customs issued Notice No. 9 of 2024 (Notice on Phytosanitary requirements for the import of Belgian bell peppers), and from now on, Belgian bell peppers that meet the relevant requirements are allowed to be imported. On January 24, the General Administration of Customs issued Notice No. 11 of 2024 (Notice on the inspection and quarantine requirements for imported Russian pork), and from now on, Russian pork (including edible pig by-products) that meets the relevant requirements are allowed to be imported.
On January 22, the General Administration of Customs promulgated the provisions on the procedures of the Customs of the People's Republic of China for the trial of administrative reconsideration cases (Order No. 265 of the General Administration of Customs), which will come into effect on March 1, 2024. Recently, the General Administration of Customs issued a decision on the repeal of some regulations (Order No. 264 of the General Administration of Customs), which will come into effect on January 22, 2024. It mainly involves the repeal of the Interim Provisions of the Customs of the People's Republic of China on Handling Appeals Cases promulgated by Order No. 120 of the General Administration of Customs on November 30, 2004.
