General

In the past month, Indonesia, Vietnam, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Zimbabwe and other countries have issued trade bans or adjusted trade restrictions on coal, mobile phones, feed, grains, ores and other commodities. Please pay attention to relevant foreign trade companies!

Indonesia

Prohibit the export of products in the form of raw materials

According to the Daily Indonesia report, President Joko of Indonesia once again issued a ban on the export of raw materials, at least in the form of semi-finished products. In addition, Joko also ordered the Minister of Agriculture Syahrul to help farmers develop production and connect them to the national and global supply chains so that their products can be exported more easily. Joko said that many commodities can be developed, including export "treasures": bird's nest, burang, essential oils, edamame, horticultural products and livestock.

Suspend coal exports from 34 mining companies

According to the website of the China Chamber of Commerce of Metals and Minerals Importers and Exporters, citing information from the Vietnamese Ministry of Commerce in Indonesia, the Indonesian Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources has recently decided to impose restrictions on exports of 34 Indonesian coal companies. It is understood that these companies have been punished for failing to fulfill the coal sales contract with Indonesia's National Power Corporation (PLN) from January 1 to July 31. Penalties include restrictions on coal exports and fines. The temporary ban will be implemented on August 7, 2021, until these companies fulfill their obligation to supply coal to the domestic market.

Vietnam

Announcing a ban on the import and production of 2G/3G mobile phones

According to Kuaidi News, Vietnam, a major mobile phone exporter, will ban the production and import of 2G/3G mobile phones. According to the ban issued by the Ministry of Information and Communication of Vietnam, starting from July 2021, all mobile communication terminals produced or imported in Vietnam must support 4G networks or higher network technologies. At present, 2G and 3G terminals can still be used and circulated in Vietnam. However, after the expiration of 2G and 3G network licenses in September 2024, the Ministry of Information and Communications of Vietnam will no longer provide license renewal and renewal.

Strengthen the import and export management of strategic materials

According to the Economic and Commercial Office of the Chinese Embassy in Vietnam, "Vietnam News", the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Vietnam requires its agencies and departments to strengthen the import and export management of some strategic materials in the domestic market. Such companies are also required to restrict exports of these raw materials while increasing productivity to meet the growing steel demand in the domestic market.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade also requires its subordinate departments to develop measures to strengthen the import and export management of commodities needed for production and consumption in the domestic market, and must submit them to the Minister before August 30, 2021. These products include rice, sugar, fertilizers, gasoline, and iron. Ore and steel, etc. In addition, trade remedy measures need to be reviewed and updated in accordance with existing regulations to ensure a healthy competitive environment and support domestic production.

Kyrgyzstan

Temporarily prohibit the export of waste paper such as renewable paper and cardboard

According to the Economic and Commercial Office of the Chinese Embassy in Kyrgyzstan, local media reported on August 23 that in order to prevent a serious shortage of raw materials in the domestic market, encourage domestic production and increase the export of paper products, Kyrgyz Prime Minister Maribov signed a relevant decision to temporarily ban renewable paper and cardboard. When waste paper (commodity customs code 4707) is exported to countries and regions outside the customs border of the Eurasian Economic Union, the period of prohibition is 6 months. It was decided to request the Customs Administration of the Ministry of Economy and Finance of Kyrgyzstan and the Border Defense Bureau of the National Security Commission of Kyrgyzstan to take necessary measures to prevent the illegal exit of the above-mentioned commodities.

Bulgaria

The import of non-fuel wastes will be banned

According to the Economic and Commercial Office of the Chinese Embassy in Bulgaria, the Bulgarian National Radio reported on August 5 that the Minister of Environmental Protection Assen Lichev stated on August 4 that the import of non-fuel wastes will be banned and an order will be issued within a few days. Submitted to the Council of Ministers, the purpose is to stop the illegal burning of such waste in power plants.

Belarus

Re-impose grain export restrictions

According to Sina Finance, foreign media sources pointed out that Belarus has temporarily suspended the export of some crops for a period of 6 months. The list of prohibited goods includes wheat, meslin, rye, barley, oats, corn, buckwheat, millet, clover and other grains (HS code 1008900000) and rapeseed. These restrictions will take effect from the date of the official publication of the document. According to the decree, the ban applies to the export of grains, including in EEU countries and countries outside the Economic Union. The ban also applies to goods placed in accordance with customs procedures for export, temporary export, processing and re-export outside the customs, and also prohibits exports in Grain processed in Belarus before the entry into force of this decree.

Kazakhstan

Implement a six-month feed export ban

According to the Economic and Commercial Office of the Chinese Embassy in Kazakhstan, Kazakh News Agency today, Nur Sultan, August 17, according to the "Decree on Prohibition of Exports of Certain Commodities from the Republic of Kazakhstan" jointly issued by the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Finance of Kazakhstan, Kazakhstan The export of hay, silage, oats, rye and other commodities will be banned for a period of 6 months. The decree will take effect 10 days after its official announcement.

Implement quota management on concentrate export

According to the Economic and Commercial Office of the Chinese Embassy in Kazakhstan, Interfax News Agency Nur-Sultan, August 18, Karashukyev, Acting Minister of the Ministry of Agriculture of Kazakhstan, said when attending a government meeting that day that the export ban on coarse fodder began on August 23. Officially effective, the Kazakh government plans to implement quota management on the export of concentrate feed (grain feed) from September 1.

Implement temporary quota management for the export of certain agricultural products

According to the Economic and Commercial Office of the Chinese Embassy in Kazakhstan, Capital.com reported on August 27 that the Ministry of Agriculture of Kazakhstan issued an order on August 26, deciding to implement temporary quota management on the export of certain agricultural products. The order will take effect 10 days after its official issuance and will be valid until February 1, 2022. The commodities involved include seed sunflower seeds (export quota of 15,000 tons); other sunflower seeds (15,000 tons); unrefined sunflower seed crude oil (32,000 tons) in initial packaging of 10 liters or less; unrefined sunflower seeds in initial packaging of more than 10 liters Seed crude oil (32,000 tons); other sunflower oil or its distillates (32,000 tons) in initial packaging of 10 liters or less; other refined sunflower oil or non-refined sunflower oil and its distillates (32,000 tons).

Plan to set quotas for live animal exports

According to a report by the Kazakhstan News Agency on August 3, the Ministry of Agriculture of Kazakhstan announced a draft administrative decree "Partial Issues Regarding the Export of Livestock from Kazakhstan". If the draft is passed, it will impose quantitative restrictions (quotas) on the export of bulls and live sheep.

Eurasian Economic Union

Or restrict the export of some commodities

According to the Economic and Commercial Office of the Chinese Embassy in Kazakhstan, Interfax News Agency, Moscow, August 20, according to the Eurasian Economic Commission, the Eurasian Intergovernmental Council meeting held that day asked the governments of the member states of the Eurasian Economic Union to study some Commodity exports adopt uniform tariff or non-tariff adjustment measures, including wheat, blended wheat, barley, corn, sunflower seeds, sunflower oil and their fractions. In the future, export tariffs may be imposed on these commodities, or tariff quotas, export bans, and other non- Tariff adjustment measures. In addition to agricultural products, the list of commodities for which the Eurasian Economic Union plans to adopt unified export regulation measures also includes ferrous metal scrap and scrap metal, fuelwood and some wood, waste paper, etc.

Zimbabwe

Banned the export of chromite ore again

According to the China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Metals, Minerals and Chemicals, on the afternoon of August 3, Monica Mutsvangwa, Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services of Zimbabwe announced that the export of chromite ore would be banned. This statement is effective immediately. At the same time, the export of ferrochrome concentrate will be banned in July next year; in the future, only ferrochrome ingots will be available for export. The policy of prohibiting the export of chromite ore is tantamount to abolishing the temporary policy of allowing the export of ore.

Tanzania

Will suspend the issuance of sugar import licenses

According to the Economic and Commercial Office of the Chinese Embassy in Tanzania, the Tanzanian "Guardian" recently reported that the Minister of Agriculture of Tanzania, Adolf Mkenda, announced that the current government is working to expand the capacity of existing sugar factories and build new processing plants. The issuance of sugar import permits will be suspended from 2022. certificate.

Uganda

The government issued a warning on imported motorcycles

According to the Economic and Commercial Office of the Chinese Embassy in Uganda, the Uganda Ministry of Finance recently stated that financial personnel of any government department are not allowed to continue to import motorcycles for ministries, departments and institutions. Because the President issued a policy on "Buy Domestic Products, Build a Nation" (BUBU) in 2018, offenders will face disciplinary sanctions. However, imports by private companies are not affected by this.

Costa Rica

Foamed plastic ban takes effect

According to the South American Overseas Chinese News, Costa Rica’s “Nation” recently reported that the ban on foamed plastics in Costa Rica took effect on August 7. Any commercial organization in the country prohibits the import and sale of foamed polystyrene products, that is, "foamed plastic" products.

South Korea

Or prohibit Apple and Google from drawing commissions from developers

According to the 21st Century Business Herald, the South Korean Parliament approved an amendment to the Telecom Business Law called the "Anti-Google Law", which prohibits app store operators such as Google and Apple from using their monopoly position to generate revenue from developers’ in-app purchases. Withdraw commissions. Industry insiders usually refer to such commission fees as Google and Apple as "Google tax" and "Apple tax." This will be the first major economy to adopt such restrictions, and some other countries are expected to follow suit.

Japan

Plan to designate over 600 restricted foreign land transaction areas

According to the Nikkei Chinese website, the Japanese government has begun discussing designated areas that restrict foreign capital transactions around land that is judged to be important for safety and security. In addition to about 600 defense-related facilities such as the radar facilities of the Japanese Self-Defense Forces, the surrounding areas such as nuclear power plants will also be involved. The Japanese government will build a system to manage targeted land information and grasp foreign investment trends including China.

South Africa

Will implement "fishing restrictions" to prevent the extinction of African penguins

According to CCTV News, South African media reported on August 11 local time that due to the declining number of African penguins, South Africa will restrict fishing around the penguin habitat. South Africa’s Ministry of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment said it will hold a coordination meeting to discuss how to provide a safe living environment for African penguins without causing too serious an impact on the country’s fisheries. In order to facilitate the survival and reproduction of African penguins, a preliminary decision has been made to reduce fishing in and around the country's six main penguin habitats.

Turkmenistan

Prohibit the sale of e-cigarettes and filterless cigarettes

According to the Economic and Commercial Office of the Chinese Embassy in Turkmenistan, Turkmenistan Business Network reported that the official website of the Ministry of Justice of Turkmenistan recently announced the new regulations for the sale of tobacco products. According to regulations, only legal entities under the Ministry of Trade and Foreign Economic Relations of Turkey are eligible to engage in the wholesale and retail of tobacco products in Turkey. Certified tobacco products can only be retailed in special areas of food and non-food stores. The tobacco products sold must be out of the sight of buyers, and the store can provide a list of products for consumers to understand and purchase.

In addition, the sale of tobacco products to people under the age of 18 is prohibited, e-cigarettes and filterless cigarettes are prohibited, in sports venues, medical and health institutions, cultural and public dining venues, in railway stations, bus stations, airports, ports, hotels, and businesses. Tobacco products are sold in outlets and places within 100 meters of educational institutions. It is forbidden to sell tobacco products through the Internet and any other remote transaction methods, as well as vending machines.

Russia

Or ban 28 types of disposable products from 2024

According to the Economic and Commercial Office of the Chinese Embassy in Russia, RIA Novosti reported on August 20 that the Russian Ministry of Natural Resources and Ecology proposed to the Ministry of Industry and Trade to ban 28 types of disposable products and packaging from 2024, including opaque and colored plastic cups, Tableware such as dishes and straws will increase the proportion of reusable packaging to 85% by 2030.

Restrict foreign companies from acquiring equity in strategic companies

According to Trade Investment Network, Russia has implemented de-offshore policies in recent years. The Russian Federal Anti-Monopoly Agency and relevant government committees have formulated regulations restricting offshore companies from acquiring equity in domestic companies, restricting foreign companies from acquiring equity in strategic companies, including not only military enterprises. , There are also ordinary manufacturing companies such as cosmetics production.

Belgium

Two supermarkets will ban all meat-eating chickens from 2026

According to the Economic and Commercial Office of the Chinese Embassy in Belgium, the Belgian supermarket chain Colruyt and its sister supermarket OKay announced that they will ban the sale of meat chickens raised specifically for meat production from 2026. Compared with broiler chickens, ordinary chicken farms will get 40% more space. The two supermarkets will be the first Belgian retailers to sell chickens raised in accordance with higher animal welfare standards. This standard is based on the "Better Chicken Commitment" (BCC).