Around National Day 2025, global trade policies will undergo a rare and intensive adjustment! From precise tariffs in the United States to dramatic changes in China's customs declaration system, to tightened rules of origin in Southeast Asia, foreign traders must pay immediate attention or face soaring shipping costs, escalating compliance risks, and limited market access . The following is a recent roundup of the major new global regulations.

1. Americas: Tariff Escalation and Rising Protectionism

USA

• New Port Fee Policy (October 14)

  • Chinese shipowners: US$50/net ton, increasing annually to US$140 in 2028.

  • For ships built in China and owned by non-Chinese shipowners: USD 18/ton or USD 120/box, whichever is higher.

  • Non-U.S.-made car carriers: $150 per vehicle.

    👉 A 13,000TEU vessel will pay US$3 million in 2025 and US$8.4 million in 2028.

• High tariffs officially implemented (October 1)

  • Pharmaceuticals: 100% tariff (unless the factory is built in the United States).

  • Heavy trucks: 25%.

  • Kitchen and bathroom building materials: 50%.

  • Upholstered furniture: 30%.

Mexico
New tariffs targeting Asia (excluding the United States and Canada) will be approved on October 20, covering areas such as automobiles, textiles, and home appliances.

Argentina
From September 23 to October 31, the export tax on soybeans, corn, wheat and their products will be reduced to 0% , with a maximum limit of US$7 billion.

2. Europe: Green Transformation & Digital Customs Clearance

European Union

• Simplified CBAM transition period (from October) : imports below 50 tons are exempt from declaration; non-EU companies can directly upload emission data; payment will be formally made from 2026.

• New entry and exit system (October 12) : The EES system is launched, and all third-country citizens entering the EU need to collect data.

Germany/Netherlands

• The blockchain customs clearance pilot program has been expanded, with the goal of completing customs clearance within 48 hours.

Italy

• Starting from October 1, the four regions will ban Euro 5 and below diesel vehicles from entering cities with a population of more than 30,000.

England

• Disposable plastic tableware will be completely banned from October.

3. Asia: Tighter Regulation & Enhanced Regional Cooperation

China

• Tax incentives : Private enterprises enjoy stamp duty exemptions for restructuring and reorganization; zero tariffs are implemented for the least developed countries.

• Dramatic Changes in Customs Supervision (October 1)

  • The payment and customs declaration are completed → full real-name declaration.

  • The agent company shall bear joint and several liability.

  • Export data must be submitted simultaneously with the actual client information.

• Other new regulations : Anti-Unfair Competition Law (October 15), Financial Infrastructure Supervision Measures (October 1), and Internet Platform Tax Information Reporting (October 1).

South Korea

• A 15-day visa-free policy will be implemented for Chinese group tourists starting from September 29 and will be valid until June 2026.

India

• A 30% export tariff will be imposed on low-grade iron ore from October.

Southeast Asia

• Thailand : Rules of origin were tightened from October, with the regional value content rising from 40% to 50%.

• Vietnam : Launched an anti-circumvention investigation into Chinese hot-rolled coils; VNeID biometric identification was implemented at airports nationwide; legislation on live streaming sales entered the National Assembly for review.

• Malaysia : Certificates of origin will be issued on a unified ePCO platform starting in October; plans to complete a trade agreement with the United States.

• Indonesia : Ban on palm waste exports; electronic entry cards will be implemented nationwide from October 1.

• Philippines : Rice import ban may be extended and tariff increase is being considered.

• East Timor : Officially joined ASEAN in October.

4. Middle East: Mandatory customs clearance and security upgrades

Saudi Arabia

• Starting from October 1, all imported goods must hold a SABER SC certificate before customs clearance.

United Arab Emirates

• MPCI pre-declaration system (from October) : Shipping companies and freight forwarders are required to submit complete cargo data before loading.

• The launch of the National Economic Cluster Policy is expected to increase foreign trade by AED 15 billion in the next seven years.

5. Africa: Tariff Adjustment & Liberalization of Mineral Exports

South Africa

• The tariff on wheat increased to 85.15 cents per kilogram and on flour to 127.72 cents per kilogram.

• Temporary tariffs of up to 50% will be imposed on galvanized steel sheets and other products.

Kenya

• The import tariff on automobiles will rise from 25% to 35% (excluding new energy vehicles).

Democratic Republic of the Congo

• The cobalt export ban was ended on October 15 and replaced by a quota system.

6. Global Shipping: Environmental Protection and Route Restructuring

• IMO Net Zero Emissions Framework (expected to be adopted in October) : effective in 2027, ships that do not meet the standards will need to purchase emission quotas.

• Port pressure : China's major ports were congested during the National Day holiday, and some shipping companies rerouted their routes via Canadian and Mexican ports to avoid the new US port fees.

Must-read tips for foreign trade professionals

1. Calculate costs in advance : focus on tariffs and port fees in the United States, Europe, and Southeast Asia.

2. Compliance declaration comes first : China’s real-name declaration system and Saudi Arabia’s mandatory SABER cannot be ignored.

3. Pay attention to rules of origin : Southeast Asia is tightening, RCEP is optimizing, and production capacity layout can be flexibly utilized.

4. Logistics planning : Contingency plans are needed for port congestion and route adjustments to avoid delays during peak seasons.

To sum up in one sentence: October 2025 is the "storm window period" for new global trade regulations. Only by making early arrangements and dynamic adjustments can foreign trade companies gain a firm foothold in the new round of global competition.