The first wave of new foreign trade regulations for 2026 has officially taken effect! These new regulations cover key areas such as import and export licenses, customs clearance facilitation, product compliance, and trade remedies, directly impacting business processes and order security. Business owners and partners in foreign trade should quickly review and save this information to avoid pitfalls and missing compliance deadlines.
I. New Domestic Regulations: These Changes Directly Affect Customs Clearance and Export
Steel Export Licenses Reinstated: Starting January 1, 2026, export license management for some steel products will officially resume (reinstated after 16 years). Relevant companies need to prepare license documents in advance to avoid affecting shipments.
</ … Simplified import and export regulations for lithium thionyl chloride batteries: Starting January 1st, for single units/battery packs with thionyl chloride content ≤1kg, the dual certificates such as the "Approval Certificate for Import and Export of Monitored Chemicals" are no longer required; products exceeding this limit will still be approved according to the original regulations. New regulations for pharmaceutical export management implemented: Starting January 1st, the "Regulations on the Inspection and Export Certificate Management of Exported Pharmaceuticals by Pharmaceutical Manufacturers" came into effect, standardizing the inspection and certification of exported pharmaceuticals and benefiting pharmaceutical foreign trade enterprises. New "Foreign Trade Law" implemented in March: Starting March 1, 2026, the newly revised "Foreign Trade Law" will officially come into effect, further standardizing foreign trade order. New regulations for medical device export certificates: Starting May 1, 2026, the new version of the "Regulations on the Management of Export Sales Certificates for Medical Devices" will be implemented, clarifying the application conditions and procedures for two types of certificates; the original 2015 version will be repealed.
II. New Regulations Abroad: Closely Monitor These Changes in Target Markets
1. Asian Market
India Relaxes Steel Import Restrictions: Recently, a simplified monitoring system was launched, reducing data fields from 56 to 20. A single registration number can register 100 batches per year (each batch ≤ 10 tons); the import no-objection certificate for some steel types has been cancelled, and the quality control exemption period has been extended (5 months for ordinary steel and 3 months for stainless steel).
3 Key Changes in Vietnam
① Proposed reduction of administrative procedures by 30%, with approval time for some commercial applications shortened to 5 days, and the prohibition of repeated submission of paper materials;
② From January 1, 2026, mandatory energy efficiency labeling will be implemented in stages, with 15 types of products, including air conditioners and refrigerators, being the first to be required to affix labels, and induction cookers and other products to be required to do so from 2027;
③ From December 16, 2025 to March 15, 2026, a special campaign to combat smuggling and counterfeit goods will be carried out, requiring extra attention to compliance during customs clearance.
New requirements for Thai BOI visa applications: Starting January 1, 2026, visa applications submitted through the BOI system will require proof of social security contributions for the past three months; otherwise, the application will be rejected. The service fee for international departing passengers will be increased to 1120 baht per person.
South Korea: Customs clearance facilitation + anti-dumping investigation:
① Import declarations with more than 20 supplementary documents can be submitted electronically; the limit on the value of submitted documents has been relaxed (from “total amount exceeding US$150” to “single item exceeding US$150”);
② An anti-dumping investigation has been initiated against galvanized cold-rolled steel from China, with a preliminary ruling expected within three months.
Qatar: Water-saving equipment requires GSO certification: Starting February 24, 2026, water-saving equipment must bear the GSO green label and hold a GCC certificate to enter the market.
Malaysia: Energy storage battery certification guidelines take effect: Lithium-ion, lead-acid, and other energy storage batteries must comply with the newly released certification and labeling guidelines, effective immediately.
2. European Market
EU Carbon Border Tax + 4 Anti-dumping Measures + New Safety Regulations:
① The Carbon Border Tax (CBAM) will be officially implemented from January 1, 2026, covering 180 steel and aluminum intensive products from 2028;
② Anti-dumping investigations have been initiated against Huaxin Mobile Cranes, sodium benzoate, benzyl alcohol, and ferrosilicon steel wire. Relevant companies need to respond promptly;
③ Bisphenol A control guidelines have been released, and canned food companies exporting to the EU must strictly comply;
④ Toy safety regulations will take effect from January 1, 2026, including compatible toys and excluding 21 categories of products from the regulations.
Turkey’s KKDIK Chemical Temporary Registration Opens: The chemical registration system is officially activated. Companies exporting chemicals to Turkey need to clarify their compliance path and complete temporary registration as soon as possible. The UK’s Anti-dumping and Countervailing Duty Investigations on Chinese Boom Lifts: An anti-dumping and countervailing duty investigation will be launched on December 19, 2025. Relevant companies need to pay attention to the response deadlines. Moldova Recognizes CE Marking from February 28, 2026: Radio and electrical electronic equipment bearing the CE mark and declaration of conformity can enter the market without additional certification. 3. Americas Market Mexico Simplified Pesticide Approval + Anti-dumping: ① From December 3, 2025, the pesticide approval process will be simplified, reducing approval time by up to 60%; ② An anti-dumping investigation will be launched on Chinese acrylic sheets. Brazil’s Two Anti-dumping Adjustments: The anti-dumping investigation period for Chinese glass fiber has been extended to 18 months; an anti-dumping investigation has been launched on Chinese butyl acrylate. 4. Oceania & Africa Markets Australia’s anti-dumping and countervailing duty investigation on Chinese aluminum doors and windows: The investigation period covers July 2024 – June 2025. Relevant exporting companies need to prepare accordingly. South Africa initiates an anti-dumping investigation on Chinese color-coated steel sheets: This involves the markets of five Southern African Union countries, with the dumping investigation period from May 2024 to April 2025. Zhejiang Huaqi reminds foreign trade companies to pay close attention to these new regulations, adjust their business strategies in a timely manner, and ensure compliant operation. Zhejiang Huaqi will continue to bring you the latest foreign trade information to help your foreign trade business develop!
