Australia-EU: Implications of Free Trade Deal for Australian Tree Nuts
The Australian government has published additional details on how the Australia-European Union Free Trade Agreement will affect trade in tree nuts. Upon entry into force, the agreement will immediately remove tariffs on Australian tree nuts exported to the EU, including the current EU tariffs of up to 5.6% on almonds, 5.1% on walnuts and 2% on macadamias.
China: Revised Administrative Provisions on Customs Registration of Overseas Food Manufacturers
On October 11, 2025, the General Administration of Customs of the People’s Republic of China (GACC) issued the revised “Administrative Provisions on the Customs Registration of Overseas Manufacturers of Imported Food in the People’s Republic of China” (Decree No. 280), which shall take effect on June 1, 2026. To detail the supporting requirements for Decree No. 280, based on risk assessment, GACC has issued the “Catalog of Imported Food Requiring Official Recommendation for Registration” and the list of food products not eligible for automatic registration renewal. It has clarified the scope of overseas storage enterprises for imported food subject to registration management, detailed the declaration requirements for imported food related to registration, and updated and published the website addresses for registration processing and common registration information inquiries, providing convenience for relevant parties to apply for registration online. The relevant content has been publicly released in the form of an announcement.
China: Draft Regulations on the Listing Administration of Importers and Exporters of Imported Food
On March 24, 2026, China notified the World Trade Organization (WTO) of a revised draft of the existing Regulations on the Listing Administration of Importers and Exporters of Imported Food (Annex 1 of Announcement No. 55 of 2012 of the former General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine).
The main revisions include the following:
- Simplifying the content to be filled in for record-filing, reducing the record-filing information items for overseas exporters or agents of imported food from 20 to 10.
- Revising the scope of food applicable to be consistent with the current registration categories of overseas manufacturers exporting food to China.
- Specifying a three-working-day customs handling time limit for the record-filing of overseas exporters or agents of imported food formerly without a handling time limit.
- Standardizing the measures for record-filing, modification and cancellation in accordance with the relevant provisions of the superior laws and clarifying the requirements for supervision and verification.
The deadline for comments is May 23, 2026.
EU: Parliament and Council Reach Agreement on Customs Union Reform
On March 23, 2026, the European Parliament and the Council reached agreement on the reform of the EU Customs Union, paving the way for the most ambitious reform of EU customs rules since 1968.
The reform introduces a central EU Customs Authority (EUCA) to coordinate customs operations across all 27 Member States and manage the EU Customs Data Hub, a single digital interface for all customs operations in the EU. The hub will allow businesses to submit data only once, eliminating the need for traders to navigate through multiple national systems.
The framework for trusted traders will also be strengthened. Businesses with strong compliance records will be rewarded, benefiting from simplified procedures and fewer controls.
The EU Customs Authority will begin its activities in 2027. The EU Customs Data Hub will be launched for e-commerce in 2028 and will expand to all businesses in 2031, before becoming the single mandatory EU Customs entry point for all traders in 2034.
Türkiye: Import Duties Removed on Key Agricultural Inputs
According to Reuters, Türkiye has eliminated customs duties on urea-type goods in a move aimed at shielding its agricultural sector from rising input costs linked to the war in Iran. The Reuters report, citing a statement from Türkiye’s trade ministry, notes that duties have been lifted on certain essential nitrogen and compound fertilizers. It also cites a presidential decree published in Türkiye’s official gazette removing import duties on ammonium-based composite fertilizers including ammonium sulphate, ammonium nitrate, calcium ammonium nitrate (CAN), and diammonium phosphate.