This roundup covers the key trade rules that take effect or enter the implementation phase in China and across major export markets in August and September 2026 — including China’s new consumption tax on batteries, electronic documentation rules, export controls, and a wave of tariff and compliance changes in the US, the EU, Canada, Southeast Asia and beyond. Exporters and cross-border sellers are advised to review these changes closely.

Part 1. China Domestic Regulations

1. Consumption Tax Introduced on Certain Battery Products

Effective: September 1, 2026

Issued by: Ministry of Finance, General Administration of Customs (GACC) and State Taxation Administration (STA), Announcement No. 20 of 2026

Key points:

  • From September 1, 2026, mercury-free primary batteries, nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) batteries, lithium primary batteries, lithium-ion batteries and all-vanadium redox flow batteries are subject to a consumption tax of 2%, rising to 4% from September 1, 2027.
  • From April 1, 2027, photovoltaic (PV) cells are taxed at 2%, rising to 4% from April 1, 2028.
  • From September 1, 2026 to December 31, 2028, sodium-ion, solid-state and fuel cells, as well as perovskite, tandem and gallium arsenide cells within the PV category, are exempt.
  • Relief is conditional on compliance with national product standards; a test report from a CMA-accredited testing body must be obtained before the first declaration.

Impact: Manufacturers and exporters of battery cells, energy storage systems, power tools and consumer electronics should monitor upstream cost changes and adjust export pricing accordingly.

2. Measures on Promoting and Regulating the Application of Electronic Documents

Effective: September 1, 2026

Key points:

  • Covers electronic bills of lading, sea waybills, railway/air/road freight waybills and multimodal transport documents, as well as electronic warehouse receipts and electronic cargo insurance policies.
  • Grants electronic documents the same legal validity as paper documents, and standardizes issuance, storage, transfer, pledge and circulation — supporting end-to-end digitalization of cross-border trade and international mutual recognition.

Impact: Foreign trade and logistics companies should confirm in practice whether shipping lines, customers, banks and destination-country authorities accept the relevant electronic documents.

3. New Rules on Quarantine/Sanitary Treatment Supervision for Entry-Exit Goods

Effective: September 1, 2026

Issued by: General Administration of Customs (GACC Announcement No. 111 of 2026, among others)

Key points: The new Regulations on the Supervision and Administration of Quarantine Treatment for Entry-Exit Animals and Plants and the Regulations on the Supervision and Administration of Entry-Exit Sanitary Treatment take effect, covering fumigation, disinfection, disinsection and pest-control treatment, as well as updated treatment requirements and supervisory procedures for animal and plant products, wooden packaging and containers.

Impact: Exporters of animal/plant products and wooden packaging, and customs brokers involved in container fumigation.

4. Adjusted Quarantine and Inspection Requirements for Fruit Exports to Hong Kong and Macao

Effective: September 1, 2026

Key points: Requirements for orchards, packing houses, product traceability and packaging/labeling are clarified. Cartons must indicate fruit type, place of origin, orchard and packing house. Quality and safety records should generally be retained for at least three years.

Impact: Companies exporting fruit to Hong Kong and Macao.

5. Cross-Border Centralized Operation of Multicurrency Funds for Multinational Companies

Effective: September 14, 2026

Issued by: People’s Bank of China (PBOC) and State Administration of Foreign Exchange (SAFE)

Key points: The updated policy on centralized cross-border operation of domestic and foreign currency funds by multinational companies takes effect, expanding eligibility and making it easier for multinationals to pool funds across borders, balance surpluses and shortfalls, and settle cross-border receipts and payments.

Impact: Exporters with overseas subsidiaries, branches or overseas warehouses will find cross-border fund management more convenient.

6. New State Council Regulations on Exit and Entry Administration

Effective: September 15, 2026

Key points: Compared with the 2013 Exit and Entry Administration Law, the new regulations address four areas: protecting Chinese citizens from overseas security risks, regulating the management of foreign nationals entering China, improving exit-entry restriction measures, and regulating exit-entry agency services.

Impact: Exporters that regularly send staff overseas for exhibitions, client visits or long-term postings should review exit and documentation requirements in advance.

7. New Customs Rules on Health and Quarantine of Special Entry-Exit Goods and Articles

Effective: August 1, 2026

Key points:

  • Scope expanded from “special articles” to “special goods and articles,” aligning with the revised Frontier Health and Quarantine Law.
  • Goods already regulated as pharmaceuticals, veterinary drugs or medical devices are no longer treated as special goods/articles; routine sanitary quarantine applies, which is expected to streamline clearance.
  • Declarants are clarified: consignors/consignees, senders/receivers, carriers or their agents are the statutory declarants.
  • New biosafety risk monitoring is introduced for special entry-exit goods/articles that could endanger public health within China. Blood and human tissues, pathogenic microorganisms and biological products require updated filing and approval procedures.

8. China–Uzbekistan Customs AEO Mutual Recognition Takes Effect

Effective: August 1, 2026

Key points:

  • Scope: Uzbekistan recognizes China’s Advanced Certified Enterprises (ACEs); China recognizes Uzbek companies holding Uzbek customs business and security certificates.
  • Exports: Chinese ACEs must share their AEO code (AEOCN + digits 9–17 of the Unified Social Credit Code) with their Uzbek importers.
  • Imports: when importing from Uzbekistan, enter the Uzbek AEO code (format: UZB/9-digit enterprise code/III) in the consignor code field of the customs declaration and the corresponding manifest field.
  • Four benefits: lower inspection rates, priority inspection when physical examination is required, a designated customs liaison officer, and priority clearance after recovery from international trade disruption.

9. MOFCOM Adds 14 EU Entities to the Export Control Restriction List

Effective: August 1, 2026

Issued by: Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM)

Key points: To safeguard national security and interests and fulfill international non-proliferation obligations, 14 EU entities, including Rafat Group, are added to the export control restriction list. Exporters are prohibited from exporting dual-use items to these entities, and foreign organizations and individuals are prohibited from transferring or supplying dual-use items of Chinese origin to them. Ongoing activities must cease immediately; exports in exceptional circumstances require application to MOFCOM.

Impact: Exporters of dual-use items must screen counterparties against the control list.

10. Tighter US Export Controls on Drone-Related Dual-Use Items

Effective: August 5, 2026 (upon announcement)

Issued by: MOFCOM

Key points: Exports to the US of drones and their key components and related technologies listed in China’s Dual-Use Items Export Control List will be reviewed case by case with stricter scrutiny; licensing facilitation measures do not apply.

Impact: Exporters of complete drones and drone components to the US.

Part 2. Key Export Markets

North America

1. US Imposes New Tariffs of 10%–12.5% on 60 Economies

Effective July 24, 2026 (full rollout in August)

A new Section 301 tariff regime replaces the temporary 150-day global 10% tariff, covering 60 economies that account for 99.4% of US imports. China, Australia, Vietnam and Thailand face a 12.5% rate; Japan, South Korea, Switzerland and the EU face 10%–12.5%. Canada, Mexico, India, Indonesia, the UK and Malaysia face an additional 10% on top of existing US tariffs. Exemptions cover oil, natural gas and resources from certain countries, USMCA-covered goods, and goods already subject to national-security-related tariffs.

Impact: Nearly all exporters to the US should re-calculate quotations and margins at the latest rates.

2. US Tariffs of 10%–100% on Imported Drones and Components

Effective September 3, 2026 — White House Section 232 Proclamation

A 100% ad valorem tariff applies to certain drones with maximum take-off weight exceeding 25 kg, drones with integrated thermal imaging, drone docking stations and certain critical components; a 25% tariff applies to certain drones of 25 kg or below. These stack on existing Section 301 tariffs on China, significantly raising the combined tariff burden on Chinese-origin drones.

Impact: Drone exporters should verify product HTS codes and scope of application.

3. CBP to Tighten Scrutiny of Importer of Record (IOR) Records from September 18

Effective September 18, 2026 — US Customs and Border Protection (CBP)

CBP will intensify verification of information submitted by new and existing IORs on CBP Form 5106 (Importer Identity). If IOR information is found incomplete or inaccurate, the corresponding IOR number may be cancelled, making it unusable for US import clearance.

Impact: Exporters to the US and freight forwarders/brokers must ensure IOR data is accurate and complete.

4. New FCC Rules Affect Robots, Including Robot Vacuums

The US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has added advanced robotic equipment manufactured overseas to its list of covered equipment and services. This affects humanoid robots, quadruped robots, robot vacuums and robotic lawn mowers, and restricts exports of new models to the US.

Impact: Exporters of robots and smart home appliances to the US.

5. US Tariffs of up to 100% on Certain Patented Pharmaceuticals

Effective September 29, 2026

Section 232 measures on patented drugs and related pharmaceutical ingredients are expanded. Patented drugs and ingredients falling within scope that have not obtained preferential arrangements may face tariffs of up to 100%. Generic drugs and related ingredients are not covered for now.

Impact: Exporters of patented pharmaceuticals and ingredients to the US.

6. Canada Enters Phase 2 of the China EV Import Quota

September 1, 2026 – February 28, 2027

Canada’s China EV import quota enters the second phase of the first quota year, with a base quota of 24,500 vehicles plus any unused quota carried over from Phase 1. Eligible Chinese EVs with import permits may enter the Canadian market at the 6.1% most-favored-nation (MFN) rate.

Impact: Market access for new-energy vehicle exporters to Canada has improved notably.

7. Canada Imposes Retaliatory Tariffs on Nearly US$20 Billion of US Goods

Effective September 8, 2026

Canada announced retaliatory tariffs on more than 700 US products worth C27.6billion(aboutUS20 billion), in three tiers — 15%, 25% and 50% — mainly covering steel and aluminum, dairy, home appliances, agricultural equipment, pulp and paper, plastics and electronics.

Impact: Companies involved in US–Canada transshipment or with cross-border supply chain exposure should monitor cost changes.

Europe

1. EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) Rollout Begins

Effective August 12, 2026

  • Heavy metals: Total lead, cadmium, mercury and hexavalent chromium content must not exceed 100 mg/kg.
  • PFAS (food-contact packaging): Individual PFAS substance < 25 ppb; sum of targeted PFAS substances < 250 ppb; total PFAS < 50 ppm.
  • Recyclability: All packaging placed on the EU market must be recyclable. From January 1, 2030, grade C and above will be allowed; from January 1, 2038, grade B and above.
  • EPR registration: All packaging exported to the EU must complete Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) registration in the country of sale. Non-EU companies must appoint an EU authorized representative.

Impact: All exporters to the EU. Goods without EPR registration, without a Declaration of Conformity, or with non-compliant packaging risk detention, return or destruction.

2. France’s Anti-Fast-Fashion Eco-Fine Takes Effect

Effective September 1, 2026

France imposes eco-fines on ultra-fast-fashion companies that sell large volumes of low-quality goods at ultra-low prices with frequent new drops. The measures primarily target major Asian e-commerce platforms such as Shein, Temu and AliExpress.

  • In 2026, tiered eco-fines of €0.25–€12 per item apply by product category and unit price (some reports cite €0.5–€12 per item); by 2030, certain items may be charged up to €19.5 per unit (about US$22.6), capped at half the pre-tax price.
  • Further measures, including advertising bans, will follow — affected fast-fashion brands will be barred from online, television and social media advertising.

Impact: Low-price apparel and textile cross-border sellers targeting France must re-calculate pricing and product strategy.

3. EU Directive on Empowering Consumers for the Green Transition Applies Uniformly

Effective September 27, 2026 — Directive (EU) 2024/825

The directive applies uniformly on September 27 regardless of whether member states have transposed it into national law. Environmental claims and sustainability labels directed at EU consumers must now comply:

  • Vague green claims (e.g., unsupported “eco-friendly,” “green,” “sustainable” wording) are prohibited.
  • Sustainability labels must be based on certification schemes or established by public authorities, with verifiable supporting evidence.
  • Requirements on communicating product durability and repairability are tightened.

Impact: Consumer goods exporters to the EU should self-audit environmental claims on packaging, websites, e-commerce pages and marketing materials.

4. New EU Import Requirements for Animal-Origin Food

Effective September 3, 2026

The EU has introduced new antimicrobial-related requirements for imports of animals and animal-origin food. Animal products exported to the EU must comply with EU rules restricting the use of specific antimicrobial agents during production. China is currently on the list of countries authorized for certain product categories, including poultry, aquatic products, eggs, rabbit meat, honey and casings.

Impact: Food exporters should review veterinary drug use, health certificates and supply chain compliance.

5. Ireland Launches the AIS V2 Import Declaration System

Effective September 15, 2026

Irish Customs launches the Automated Import System V2 (AIS V2), using updated EU customs datasets and declaration requirements. The legacy AIS V1 will have a transition period of approximately three months and will stop being used for import declarations from mid-December.

Impact: Companies importing into Ireland and their customs brokers should prepare for the system switch in advance.

6. UK Launches Digital Tax Stamps for Vape Products

Available from September 1, 2026; affixing required from October

The UK offers vape products tax stamps with digital functionality. From October, relevant vape products placed on the UK market must carry the stamps, with a gradual transition toward a fully digital tax stamp system.

Impact: Companies in the UK vape market should register SKU, barcode and product information requirements in advance.

Southeast Asia & Other Markets

1. Indonesia: E-Commerce Platforms to Withhold 0.5% Income Tax

Effective August 1, 2026 — Indonesian Directorate General of Taxes

  • Tokopedia, Shopee, Lazada and Blibli act as withholding agents, withholding Article 22 income tax (PPh 22) at 0.5% of sellers’ gross turnover or gross revenue.
  • The tax is based on revenue rather than profit; withheld amounts are creditable at the annual tax settlement — effectively a withholding mechanism rather than a new tax.
  • Individual taxpayers with annual turnover not exceeding IDR 500 million (about RMB 190,000–230,000) may submit an exemption statement; corporate sellers have no exemption threshold.

Impact: Cross-border sellers on Indonesian platforms. The tax authority has data integration with the platforms — undervaluing goods or splitting orders to avoid tax will trigger tax audits.

2. Vietnam: Mandatory Border Clearance for 12 Categories of Goods

Effective August 14, 2026

Twelve categories of specific imported goods must complete the full customs inspection, duty payment and release process at the border port of entry; inland clearance is no longer permitted. Categories include: tobacco products, alcoholic beverages, beer, passenger vehicles with 16 seats or fewer, aircraft, yachts, gasoline, household air conditioners with cooling capacity not exceeding 90,000 BTU, playing cards, ceremonial paper products, explosive precursors and industrial explosives, national defense/security goods, and goods imported from countries/regions at epidemic risk.

Impact: The full clearance cycle for affected categories is expected to lengthen by 2–5 working days. Sellers in Vietnam dealing in air conditioners, vehicles and alcoholic beverages should adjust logistics plans in advance.

3. Vietnam: New Implementing Regulations for the Foreign Trade Management Law

Effective September 5, 2026

Vietnam’s Decree 292/2026/ND-CP takes effect, replacing Decree 69/2018, and covers temporary import for re-export, transshipment, processing trade, prohibited import/export goods and Certificate of Free Sale (CFS) management. It also adds import restrictions on certain goods produced with forced labor.

Impact: Companies with factories, supply chains or cross-border trade in Vietnam should review their operations carefully.

4. Kenya: Mandatory ACD Pre-Declaration

Effective August 3, 2026 (based on the date of issue of the original bill of lading)

  • All sea-freight containers bound for Kenya’s Mombasa and Kisumu ports, as well as containers transiting Kenya to third countries, must be pre-declared on the sole official platform (acd.kra.go.ke) to obtain a 15-digit ACD reference code to be shown on the final bill of lading.
  • Four documents must be uploaded — draft bill of lading, commercial invoice, freight invoice and export customs declaration — and the core information in all four must match exactly.
  • Validation must be completed at least 5 days before vessel arrival. Failure to comply may result in fines, clearance delays or cargo rejection.

Impact: All exporters, transit traders and freight forwarders involved with Kenyan ports.

5. South Africa: PVoC for 25 Categories of High-Risk Non-Regulated Products

Effective September 20, 2026

South Africa formally implements a Pre-Export Verification of Conformity (PVoC/CoC) scheme for 25 categories of high-risk, non-regulated products imported from China. Importers must obtain a Certificate of Conformity (CoC) before shipment, or risk return of goods or fines. Categories include furniture, building materials, auto parts, machinery, solar panels, toys, non-pressure cookware and kitchenware, gas appliances, faucets and cosmetics.

Impact: Exporters of these categories to South Africa should arrange CoC certificates in advance to avoid clearance delays or entry refusal.

6. Saudi Arabia: New Requirements for Plastic Products

Effective August 18, 2026 — SASO

New regulatory requirements apply to listed plastic products (HS 39219010 and 39219090). Importers must submit an importer declaration approved by Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources together with the Shipment Certificate (SC) application; without it, certificates cannot be obtained on the SABER platform.

Impact: Exporters of relevant plastic products to Saudi Arabia.

7. Thailand: Mandatory Certification for PV Products

Effective from September 2026 (PV modules mandatory September–October 2026)

Thailand’s Industrial Standards Institute (TISI) brings crystalline silicon PV modules and six categories of PV-related products under mandatory industrial standards (TIS): PV modules, PV DC circuit breakers, PV fuses, PV cables, PV energy-storage lithium batteries and PV inverters. PV products without TISI certification cannot be legally imported, cleared or sold in Thailand. Certificates must be applied for separately for each product category.

Impact: PV product exporters to Thailand.

8. India: Minimum Import Price for Transparent Float Glass

India’s Directorate General of Foreign Trade changes the import policy for transparent float glass of 4–12 mm thickness (HS 70051090 and 70052990) from “free” to “restricted,” imposing a minimum import price of INR 34,000 per metric ton for one year. Imports are permitted only when the CIF price reaches or exceeds this level.

Impact: Exporters of float glass and related products to India.

9. South Korea: 2026 H2 Intensive Inspection Items for Imported Food

South Korea’s Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) published the intensive inspection focus for imported food in the second half of 2026: processed foods (biscuits, bread, cakes, etc.) — tar colors, total aflatoxins, inorganic arsenic; health foods — coliforms; livestock products — veterinary drug and pesticide residues; aquatic products — heavy metals and microorganisms.

Impact: Exporters of food, health foods, livestock and aquatic products to South Korea.

10. New Zealand: Customs Regulation Adjustments

Effective September 10, 2026

New Zealand’s updated customs and excise regulations take effect, adjusting record-keeping requirements and customs access to electronic and cloud-based records, and updating rules under the China–New Zealand FTA. Business records stored in the cloud or outside New Zealand must also be made accessible to customs upon request.

Impact: Exporters to New Zealand and companies with record-keeping obligations.

11. UAE: Advance Manifest Enters Final Transition Period

Grace period extended to September 30, 2026

The UAE’s Advance Cargo Manifest pre-declaration is mandatory (“No Manifest, No Load”). During the transition period, penalties and load-refusal measures are suspended, but pre-declaration remains compulsory.

Impact: Companies exporting, transshipping or routing cargo through the UAE should complete process adaptation by the end of September.

12. Amazon UK Adjusts FBM Fulfilment Rules

Effective September 1, 2026

Amazon UK has further adjusted handling time management for FBM (Fulfilled by Merchant) sellers. If a SKU’s Handling Time is persistently and significantly longer than the seller’s actual dispatch performance, the platform may automatically enable Automated Handling Time for the SKU.

Impact: UK FBM sellers should set accurate preparation and dispatch times.

Part 3. Compliance Checklist for Businesses

  • Batteries & new energy: The battery consumption tax takes effect in September. Companies in lithium batteries, energy storage and power tools should simultaneously re-calculate upstream costs and export pricing; tax relief requires a CMA-accredited test report obtained in advance. Battery exporters to the EU should also track the EU Battery Regulation labeling and carbon footprint requirements.
  • Drones & robotics: Controls are tightening in both directions between China and the US — exports to the US face Section 232 tariffs (25%–100%) stacked on Section 301 tariffs, and US-bound exports of drones require case-by-case stricter review. Companies should immediately audit product HTS codes, controlled status and end-use documentation.
  • Consumer goods to the EU: PPWR recyclability, EPR registration and heavy-metal/PFAS limits apply from August; environmental claims must comply from September 27; apparel sellers should also watch France’s anti-fast-fashion eco-fine. Packaging compliance and label checks are directly tied to the packaging inspection performed during third-party inspection — consider updating your inspection requirements accordingly.
  • Consumer goods to the US: IOR record scrutiny begins September 18 — ensure importer registration information is accurate and complete. Robots and patented pharmaceuticals face new tariff and control risks; verify the latest rates before shipment.
  • Emerging-market clearance: Kenya’s ACD pre-declaration (5 days before arrival), South Africa’s PVoC (CoC before loading) and the UAE’s pre-declaration transition period all require advance preparation to avoid cargo detention or return due to missing documentation.
  • Cross-border e-commerce tax: Indonesia’s 0.5% platform withholding is already in effect, and compliance requirements in Vietnam, Thailand and France are tightening. Cross-border sellers should secure local tax IDs and compliant filing arrangements early.