In March 2026, a series of new foreign trade regulations will officially come into effect. These international trade policies and laws involve domestic and foreign policies, import and export policies, tariff policies and other fields, and have a direct impact on corporate orders.
Understanding and mastering these policy changes in a timely manner can help foreign trade companies accurately seize market opportunities, quickly expand overseas markets, and achieve global development.
In terms of tariff adjustment, there are a number of important measures.
On February 27, China’s Ministry of Commerce issued an announcement that it would suspend 100% anti-discrimination tariffs on Canadian canola meal and peas from March 1 to December 31, and suspend 25% tariffs on lobsters and crabs. This move has promoted the steady recovery of China-Canada economic and trade relations.
On February 12, the Ministry of Commerce ruled that EU-related dairy products were subsidized and harmed the domestic industry. Starting from February 13, a countervailing duty of 7.4% – 11.7% was imposed for a period of 5 years, effectively safeguarding the fair trade order.
In the United States, the tariff exemption process will be launched for medium/heavy trucks, parts and buses on February 2. However, only USMCA North American compliant products can apply for exemption based on “U.S. content”. Products directly exported from China still need to pay full tax. The tax rate is 25% for trucks and parts and 10% for buses.
Starting from February 24th, Eastern Time in the United States, an additional 10% ad valorem tax will be levied on global imported goods, which will be valid for 150 days until July 24th. It will be fully applicable to goods outside the exemption list, which will increase export costs and compliance risks.
The United States also announced that it will raise tariffs on some countries from 10% to 15% and above, but will not increase tariffs on China for the time being, and will use Sections 301 and 232 as long-term trade enforcement tools.
On February 26, the United States imposed high tariffs on solar products from India, Indonesia, and Laos on the grounds of “unfair subsidies”. The tax rates were 126%, 86%-143%, and 81% respectively. Since the components from the three countries accounted for more than 50% of U.S. imports, the implementation of the tariffs impacted the global photovoltaic supply chain.
Other countries also have different tariff adjustments.
Brazil has increased import tax rates on over a thousand commodities including mechanical equipment, electronics, communications, LED panels, and smartphones since early February, with a maximum increase of 7.2%. Some of these have already taken effect and will be fully implemented on March 1.
Japan will cancel the tax-free import tax exemption for small bags for personal use starting from April 1, 2028. Cross-border small bags will be fully subject to customs duties and consumption taxes, which will directly affect the cost structure of cross-border e-commerce.
The European Union will abolish the tax-free policy for parcels under 150 euros from July 1, 2026, and set up a two-year transition period, during which a fixed tariff of 3 euros per piece will be levied on direct mail parcels ≤ 150 euros, ending the China-Europe cross-border e-commerce dividend.
The United States and Bangladesh signed a bilateral trade agreement on February 9. The United States’ export tariffs to Bangladesh were reduced from 20% to 19%, benefiting the local garment and other export industries.
In terms of import and export control and customs policies, on February 2, the General Administration of Customs issued Announcement No. 15 of 2026, supporting Announcement No. 9 of 2026 of the Ministry of Finance and the State Administration of Taxation, to uniformly clarify the 10-digit customs commodity number for goods subject to the 9% import link VAT rate, and standardize the implementation of subsequent declarations.
On February 4, the Ministry of Finance, the General Administration of Customs, and the State Administration of Taxation jointly issued a notice stating that imported goods purchased by residents of the Hainan Free Trade Port Island at designated places are exempt from import duties, import value-added tax, and consumption tax within the scope of the quota and list, achieving “three tax exemptions.”
On February 24, the Ministry of Commerce issued Announcements No. 11 and 12 of 2026, which included 20 Japanese entities in the export control list and 20 in the watch list in accordance with the law, and implemented corresponding export control measures.
Kyrgyzstan will implement zero tariffs on imported beef (quota 5,000 tons), raw cane sugar, and cocoa butter from now until the end of 2026 to stabilize market supply and prices; it will also import two turboprop passenger aircraft duty-free before 2028 to promote regional aviation development.
Russia has banned government procurement of imported seafood (including fresh frozen fish, caviar, shellfish, etc.) since July 1, and has included lithium-ion batteries in the prohibited procurement list to further strengthen import substitution and supply chain security.
Zimbabwe has announced that it will ban the export of lithium concentrates and raw ores with immediate effect to promote local deep processing and increase the added value of resources. The ban will continue until companies meet local processing requirements and help upgrade the local industrial chain.
On February 24, 17.5 billion US dollars of Brazilian exports to the United States were exempted, accounting for 46%; the original maximum 50% punitive tariff was cancelled, aircraft were reduced to zero tariffs, coffee, honey, etc. were reduced to 10%, and the competitiveness of machinery, shoes and clothing and other industries was significantly improved.
South Korea has introduced new regulations to strengthen the management of tariff quotas, strictly investigate illegal arbitrage behavior of importers, strengthen the review and supervision of about 100 types of quota foods, and ensure the fair and effective implementation of tariff reduction and exemption policies.
