Here we go! New foreign trade regulations at home and abroad in August 2025

Here are the major domestic and international August 2025New rules on foreign tradeThe compendium covers key areas such as trade facilitation, commodity inspection and tariff adjustment:

One,New domestic regulations

1. Mutual Recognition of China's AEO with Thailand and Benin

The General Administration of Customs (GAC) issued an announcement on July 29 that the mutual recognition arrangement of the "certified operator" system between China Customs, Thailand Customs and Benin Customs will be formally implemented from August 1, 2025 onwards.

After the implementation of the Mutual Recognition Arrangement, China Customs and Thailand Customs, and China Customs and Benin Customs will recognize each other's "Accredited Economic Operator" (AEO); and when imported goods are cleared through customs, each other's AEO enterprises will be given a lower rate of inspection, priority in inspection and clearance, and the designation of a Customs liaison officer, among other facilitating measures.

2. Extension of the scope of sampling inspection of commodities other than statutory inspection

In order to protect the legitimate rights and interests of consumers, safeguard the people's lives and health safety, according to "Import and Export Commodity Inspection Law of the People's Republic of China" and its implementing regulations of the relevant provisions of the Customs General Administration of Customs decided since August 1, 2025 in accordance with the law on the legal inspection of some import and export commodities other than statutory inspection of the implementation of the sampling test.

Imported goods: student stationery, baby products, electronic products, household appliances, low-voltage electrical appliances, daily accessories, etc.

Export commodities: children's toys, lamps and lanterns, low-voltage electrical appliances, functional clothing, etc.

3. Customs declaration documents self-service inquiry printing pilot start

Beijing, Fuzhou, Guangzhou and other 10 customs since August 1 to carry out customs declaration documents and electronic data self-help query printing pilot. Enterprises can obtain customs declaration data within the custody period through the international trade "Single Window" to enhance trade facilitation and reduce the cost of manual processing time.

4. Processing trade margin interest rate adjustment

The General Administration of Customs since August 1 to adjust the processing trade restricted commodities margin interest rate, the return of the margin at the same time as the bank interest rate on demand deposits. This move is designed to comply with the interest rate market-oriented reform, reduce the cost of enterprise capital occupation.

Two,New international regulations

1. Vietnam automates VAT on low-priced imports

Vietnam Customs has initiated an automated VAT collection process since August 1 for express imported goods valued at less than VND1 million (about $285). Previously, such goods were exempted from VAT, and the new regulation will increase costs for cross-border e-commerce businesses, which will need to optimize their pricing strategies.

2. EU Battery Regulation on Extended Producer Responsibility comes into force

Since August 18, the EU has required battery exporters to report sales data and pay environmental fees on a regular basis. Companies involved in electric vehicle batteries and industrial batteries need to complete EPR (Extended Producer Responsibility) registration in EU member states, or they may face market access restrictions.

3. Canada raises 25% tariffs on Chinese steel

Canada has imposed 25% tariffs on Chinese steel and related products since August 1, and implemented quota management, with 50% tariffs in excess. Chinese steel enterprises need to seek alternative markets or upgrade the added value of their products through technological upgrading.

4. Implementation of U.S. benchmark tariff adjustments

Beginning August 1, 2025, the U.S. uniformly imposes 10%-50% differential tariffs on major trading partners around the world, covering industries such as new energy and key minerals.

Highlights include:

151 TP3T tariffs on EU cars, machinery, etc. (some areas to be determined);

Japan's auto tariffs raised to 151 TP3T, steel, aluminum maintained at 501 TP3T;

50% added to all Brazilian products;

30% added to Mexican exports to the U.S;

China maintains 30% composite tariffs (with reciprocity and fentanyl tariffs), 90-day freeze until Aug. 12, as focus shifts to rare earths and non-tariff barriers negotiations.