Since the beginning of 2026, world trade policies have been intensively adjusted, and a number of major new regulations have taken effect one after another.
From export controls and tariff adjustments to product certification and visa changes, each item may be related to foreign trade orders, costs and market layout.
The following is a detailed overview of recent domestic and foreign policies.
Domestically, a number of policies have been implemented.
From February 1st, export declarations for dredgers and other goods will be standardized; from January 1st, online verification of the “Certificate of Tax Paid/Not Refunded for Exported Goods” will be implemented; from January 6th, the export of all dual-use items to Japanese military users and military purposes will be prohibited; from January 15th, matters related to the TIR Convention will be implemented; from January 27th,
A pilot business model for multimodal transport of imported and exported goods (sea-rail, water-to-water parts); export tax rebates for photovoltaic and other products will be canceled from April 1, while customs registration and filing enterprise credit management measures will be implemented; from August 1, the Customs of the People’s Republic of China’s health and quarantine management regulations for entry and exit of special goods and items will be implemented.
In addition, China and South Korea simplified food and aquatic product trade procedures, and China and Canada renewed their bilateral currency swap agreement.
In Asia, India has significantly expanded the scope of BIS certification for electronic products and launched an anti-dumping investigation into nylon 6 chips and pellets related to China; Vietnam’s product traceability notice will take effect on January 1, 2026, and the “E-Commerce Law” will take effect on July 1, 2026; Indonesia has implemented safeguard measures for the textile industry affected by the surge in cotton imports; South Korea implements USB Type –
C unified charging standards, released an operation plan for key managed products for imported aquatic products in the first half of 2026, and exempted Chinese citizens from visas; Saudi Arabia announced the opening of the capital market to foreign investors and launched an anti-dumping investigation into China-related epoxy resin; the Eurasian Economic Commission extended anti-dumping measures against China’s stainless steel welded pipes.
In Europe, the European Union released eco-label standards for decorative coatings, functional coatings and water-based aerosol spray paints; Turkey canceled the simplified customs clearance system for cross-border e-commerce in February and launched a safeguard measure investigation on imported paper and cardboard, polyethylene terephthalate, and terephthalic acid.
In the Americas, the United States has launched an anti-dumping and anti-dumping investigation into van semi-trailers and their components, and will suspend all visa processing for 75 countries; Mexico has launched an anti-dumping investigation into China’s acrylic sheets; Brazil has launched an anti-dumping investigation into China’s phenolic resin, and some short-term visa categories for Chinese citizens have been exempted; Argentina has significantly relaxed controls on agricultural chemicals and launched an anti-dumping investigation into Chinese washing machines; Canada has launched an anti-dumping investigation into China’s forged grinding balls.
In the Oceania region, Australia plans to review the mandatory standards for water toys, launch a double-anti-dumping new exporter review investigation into China’s galvanized sheets, launch a safeguard measure investigation into prefabricated steel structures, and launch an anti-circumvention investigation into China’s 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D acid) anti-dumping case.
In Africa, Madagascar launched a safeguard investigation on imported plastic pipe fittings, dry pastries and breakfast cereals.
To sum up, at the beginning of 2026, international trade policy will show three major trends: “tightening supervision, strengthening compliance, and protecting the local area.”
Foreign traders must pay attention to export tax rebates, certifications, and tariff changes related to products in a timely manner; proactively investigate new trade relief investigations in the country where the business is located; and take advantage of convenient policies, such as simplified customs clearance between China and South Korea, and reciprocal visas between China and Pakistan.
Policies are changing, and the market is changing. Only by responding promptly can we make steady progress.
