China issued clarification on import duty exemptions for certain equipment and machinery, according to an Aug. 19 report from the Hong Kong Trade Development Council. The report said imported equipment and machinery that falls within the Catalogue of Encouraged Industries for Foreign Investment’s “encouraged industries” are exempt from customs duties, but not import-related value-added taxes. VATs also still apply to all “equipment imported for direct self-use and any associated items imported with regard to said equipment within the total investment amount of an foreign-invested project,” the HKTDC said.

Non-vessel operating common carriers (NVOCCs) performing services in China no longer require a cash deposit at a Chinese bank or a supplemental bond on file with the Federal Maritime Commission to register with Chinese authorities, provided that they are licensed or registered with the FMC, according to an update emailed Aug. 19 by the National Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association of America. But they don’t have to cancel existing bonds either, the NCBFAA clarified.

China announced plans to improve procedures at Ningbo Customs, including “optimizing the customs clearance process” and “improving the business environment at the port,” China’s General Administration of Customs said in an Aug. 16 notice, according to an unofficial translation. The changes include China’s new two-step declaration process, aimed at allowing importers to more quickly submit declarations (see 1908150031). Ningbo Customs will also introduce an “‘advance declaration’ customs clearance mode” for imports and exports to improve clearance time, the notice said.

Vietnam Customs issued guidance on new requirements for its "list of imported goods subject to customs clearance at the import border gate," Vietnam Customs' mouthpiece CustomsNews said Aug. 16. The guidance details where border clearance must occur for goods on the list, as well as treatment of goods in bonded warehouses. The changes take effect Sept. 1.

Singapore’s TradeNet, the country’s trade facilitation system, will undergo maintenance on Aug. 18 from 4 a.m. to 4 p.m local time, Singapore Customs said in an Aug. 14 notice. Singapore is advising companies to not use the system during that time.

Singapore Customs issued updated requirements and duty treatment for the blending of petroleum by refineries and licensed warehouses, according to an Aug. 13 notice. Singapore said “petroleum licensees” are exempt from paying duties on gasoline and diesel if they “undertake blending activities” that involve the gasoline and diesel in licensed premises. Singapore said duties are paid “on the final blended product if it is dutiable and is removed from the licensed premises for local consumption.” The notice also details which specific “blending activities” are exempt from duties and when licensees are required to keep a “blending schedule for Customs’ audit purposes.”

China is banning imports of pigs and pig-related products from Slovakia, China’s General Administration of Customs said in an Aug. 6 press release, according to an unofficial translation. The ban is in response to the recent outbreak of African swine fever in Slovakia, the press release said.

China approved two locations as “quarantine assessment and acceptance centres” for imports of “chilled aquatic products,” according to an Aug. 15 report from the Hong Kong Trade Development Council. The locations are Sunan Shuofang International Airport (Jiangsu) and Yiwu (Zhejiang), the report said. HKTDC said both will operate under China’s General Administration of Customs.

China’s General Administration of Customs announced 17 measures to improve Qingdao Customs, including port upgrades, “a long-term service docking mechanism” and other updates to create a “smart customs” port, China said in an Aug. 15 press release, according to an unofficial translation. Changes include improvements to Qingdao’s customs clearance process for “bonded and delivered goods” and a reform of customs tax “collection and management.” The changes will also expand the port’s “capacity … and shipping” and is aimed at “promoting the transformation and upgrading of the port,” the press release said.

China’s General Administration of Customs announced plans to start a two-step import declaration pilot program at 10 ports starting Aug. 24, according to Chinese Customs press release and a post from KPMG. The program allows importers to submit declarations in less steps before the goods are released by customs, KPMG said. The cities involved in the program include Huangpu, Shenzhen and Qingdao.