Foreign trade professionals, take note! New global trade regulations take effect in September: EU battery law, US manufacturing mandate, Asia ban...

1. Americas

USA

1. Tariff policy

• From September 1, tariffs of up to 15% will be imposed on most goods originating in the EU, including cars, medicines, semiconductor chips and timber. Most-favored-nation (MFN) tariffs will apply to non-renewable natural resources (such as cork), aircraft and parts, and generic medicines.

• Effective August 29, the de minimis duty-free treatment for low-value goods valued at ≤ US$800 imported through non-postal channels will be suspended, and all applicable customs duties will be payable.

• Starting from August 18, the steel and aluminum tariff list will be expanded, and a 50% tariff will be imposed on 407 derivative products containing steel and aluminum components.

• The U.S. Department of Homeland Security issued a notice that it plans to impose a 50% tariff on Indian goods from 00:00 on August 27.

2. Customs and cross-border policies

• Require enterprises to pay tariffs based on ad valorem or specific taxes on goods transported through the international postal system, strengthen the review of the origin of re-export trade, and crack down on "false origin" practices.

3. Port operation adjustments

• The Port of Los Angeles has implemented new detention fee standards for imported refrigerated containers since September. Refrigerated containers that are overdue for more than four days will be charged US$200 per day, a 50% increase from the previous standard.

Canada

• The 25% retaliatory tariffs imposed on U.S. goods that comply with the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) will be lifted starting September 1, but countermeasures will remain on steel, aluminum, and automobiles.

Mexico

• Rules of origin for textiles: Starting from September 1, the local value-added ratio for textiles imported through the IMMEX program will be increased from 35% to 45%, otherwise the normal tariff rate (20%-35%) will apply.

Brazil

• Communication product certification: From August 23, the sale of communication equipment that has not passed ANATEL certification, including 3D printers equipped with wireless modules, will be prohibited. A comprehensive market inspection will be implemented from September.

Uruguay

• Energy efficiency label requirements: From September, LED lamps and incandescent lamps must comply with UNIT 1218:2020 and UNIT 1159:2024 standards and be affixed with energy efficiency labels before they can be sold.

2. Europe

European Union

1. Tariff policy

• Starting from September 1, tariffs on all U.S. industrial products will be eliminated, and preferential market access will be provided for U.S. agricultural products such as nuts, dairy products, fruits and vegetables.

• It pledged to purchase $750 billion worth of U.S. energy products (liquefied natural gas, oil, nuclear energy) and $40 billion worth of artificial intelligence chips by 2028, and to invest an additional $600 billion in strategic areas of the United States.

2. Import Control

• Digital customs declaration: After the third phase of the ICS2 system comes into effect, all goods transported by road and rail must submit an ENS declaration 4 hours before arriving in the EU. Goods not submitted in time will be detained and fined 5,000 euros.

3. Port and Maritime Policy

• From September, the FuelEU Maritime regulation came into effect, requiring ships of 5,000 gross tonnage and above calling at EU ports to gradually reduce their greenhouse gas emission intensity and to use shore power or zero-emission technology from 2030.

Russia

• New cross-border e-commerce regulations: Starting from September, e-commerce platforms must prominently display links to compliance certifications such as EAC and GOST-R on product pages. Food and medicines must be fully traced through the "Honest Label" system. Violators face fines of up to 2 million rubles.

U.K.

• New cosmetics regulations officially come into effect : The UK's Cosmetics (Restriction of Chemical Substances) Regulations 2025 will officially come into effect on September 30, 2025. The regulations aim to restrict the use of the chemical methyl salicylate in cosmetics.

Germany

• Hamburg Port congestion response: Due to railway construction, Hamburg Port will temporarily adjust the railway service from the container terminal to the inland in September, giving priority to high-value goods. The average delay time for ordinary goods may increase by 2-3 days.

3. Asia

China

1. Cross-border e-commerce supervision

• Starting from September, cross-border e-commerce export companies that fail to complete tax refund declaration and collection of foreign exchange between the next month and April 30 of the following year will be required to pay the value-added tax; the General Administration of Customs has optimized export supervision, canceled overseas warehouse registration and simplified document declaration, but requires data authenticity.

2. Free Trade Pilot Zone Policies

• Starting from September 1, the "Regulations of the China (Yunnan) Free Trade Pilot Zone" will be implemented, promoting new business models such as "one place, two inspections", on-site processing of border trade and cross-border tourism, and optimizing cross-border logistics and financial services.

3. Export control optimization

• The Ministry of Commerce and three other departments have optimized drone export control measures, which will be implemented from September 1, and adjusted the control scope and technical standards.

4. Adjustment of import standards

• Starting from September 1, "GB/T 20424-2025" will be implemented. The arsenic content limit of copper concentrate will be reduced from 0.5% to 0.3%, and the mercury content of nickel concentrate will be tightened to 0.001%. Ores with natural radioactivity exceeding 1Bq/g are prohibited from entering the country.

5. Certificate of Origin Management

• The Visa Management Measures for Certificates of Origin of Export Goods came into effect on September 1, standardizing the visa process.

6. Qingdao Port VGM New Regulations

• Starting from September 1, export goods must declare VGM (Verified Mass of Cargo Container) uniformly through the "Yungangtong" platform. The terminal will weigh and compare all containers. Goods with an error of more than 5% or 1 ton must be re-declared and bear the demurrage fees.

India

• Anti-dumping measures: Starting from September 1, anti-dumping duties will be imposed on polyester staple fibers originating in China for three years, with a tax rate of 18%-25% of the landed price, involving an amount of approximately US$230 million.
• The 11% import duty on cotton will be suspended until September 30 to ease the raw material cost pressure on the textile industry.

the Philippines

• Rice import ban: Rice imports will be suspended for 60 days starting September 1. During this period, only no more than 50,000 tons of fragrant rice will be allowed to be imported for specific food processing. Violators will be fined up to 1 million pesos.

South Korea

1. Update of energy efficiency standards

• The public comment period ends on September 28. Stricter energy efficiency requirements will be implemented on washing machines, air conditioners and other home appliances starting on November 1, and standards for built-in ballast lamps will take effect on December 31.

2. Adjustments to the Customs Valuation and Declaration System (Key Dates)

• Customs valuation reform: A new price declaration system will be implemented from September 1, requiring importers to provide more detailed transaction information, including the pricing basis for related transactions. Otherwise, customs will levy taxes based on the highest valuation.

Japan

• Tariff Policy: Starting from August 7, the United States imposed a 15% tariff on Japanese automobiles and auto parts (basic tariff 2.5% + additional tariff 12.5%), while the tariff on steel and aluminum remained at 50%.

4. Middle East

Saudi Arabia

• Import standards have been adjusted. Starting from September, the import of cars that do not meet the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) safety standards will be banned. Cars must be equipped with airbags, ABS systems and emission performance that can adapt to high temperature and dust environments.

Iraq

• Import ban Starting from September 15, electrical appliances and cigarettes without Iraqi quality marks and barcode certification are prohibited from entering the country.

5. Africa

South Africa

• The U.S. African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) has been extended to September 2025, and more than 30 countries including South Africa can continue to enjoy duty-free export treatment to the United States.

• Trade defense measures: Temporary safeguard measures will be implemented on imported steel starting September 1, imposing a 15% tariff on hot-rolled coils, cold-rolled plates and other products for a period of 200 days.

African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA)

• Trade Policy : The 4th Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF-2025) was held in Algiers from September 4 to 10, focusing on tariff coordination, regulatory collaboration and digital payment infrastructure to promote intra-African trade facilitation and expected to reach over US$44 billion in business agreements.

6. Oceania

Australia

• Maritime regulations: Maritime Order 28 will be revised from September 1, requiring all ships with a gross tonnage of 500 or more to be equipped with crew alcohol detection equipment. Violators will be fined up to A$100,000.

• The Mineral Resource Rent Tax (MRRT) maintains a 22.5% tax rate and is levied on the profits of iron ore and coal mining projects. Chinese companies can enjoy tax credits under the China-Australia Tax Agreement.

7. Southeast Asia

Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, etc.

• Since September, Southeast Asian countries have strengthened the implementation of rules of origin, strictly investigated the "false origin" of Chinese goods, and imposed a 40% punitive tariff on re-export goods that have not achieved "substantial transformation".

8. Shipping Company Freight Rate Adjustment

CMA CGM

• From September 1, the dry cargo container freight rate for the Far East to West Africa route will be increased by US$250/TEU, and the dry cargo container freight rate for the East Africa route will be increased by US$150-200/TEU.

Maersk

• The Peak Season Surcharge (PSS) will be implemented on the US West Coast route from September 1st, with an additional charge of US$400 for 40-foot containers, applicable to ports such as Los Angeles and Long Beach.

Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC)

• The first voyage of the new ALPACA route to western South America is scheduled for September 15, providing direct flights from China to Valparaiso, Chile, with freight rates 10% lower than traditional routes.

COSCO

• The new rates for Southeast Asian routes will be implemented from September, with the freight rate for a 40-foot container from Singapore to Port Klang raised to US$750, a 20% increase from July.

9. New Regulations for Global Ports

Ningbo-Zhoushan Port

• The "China-Europe Arctic Express" was launched on September 20, using ice-strengthened container ships. The voyage from Ningbo to Felixstowe Port was shortened to 18 days, reducing carbon emissions by 50%.

Port of Singapore

• The pilot program for the electronic bunker delivery note (eBDN) for ships will begin in September, initially covering liquefied natural gas (LNG) bunkering operations, and is expected to reduce document processing time by 70%.

Port of Rotterdam

• Starting from September 1, a "green port fee" will be levied on ships that dock for more than 3 hours. Ships with a gross tonnage of more than 5,000 will be charged 50 euros per hour to support the construction of shore power facilities.

Summarize

In September 2025, global trade policy will have the following characteristics:

1. The tariff game intensified : the United States imposed high tariffs on India and Brazil, and the European Union and the United States reached a phased agreement, reflecting the conflict between unilateralism and multilateral rules.

2. Localization and supply chain adjustments : Russia and Saudi Arabia strengthen local content requirements, while Brazil and India promote trade diversification to cope with geopolitical risks.

3. Regional cooperation deepens : The African Continental Free Trade Area promotes internal trade through expos, and the agreement between the EU and the US reshapes the transatlantic trade landscape.

4. Green and digital transformation : The WTO focuses on green trade rules, and Thailand and Vietnam adjust tariffs to support the development of clean energy and small and medium-sized enterprises.