Customs news
Track tariff, FTA, and customs policy across 13 jurisdictions. Every story carries the official source link, effective date, and related HS lines.
Korea applies temporary 0% tariff on lithium battery materials
From 1 January 2026 to 31 December 2026, Korea applies temporary 0% MFN on key lithium-ion battery cathode materials (HS 2841.90, 2843.30) to support domestic battery industry.
Korea Customs ServiceRCEP completes fifth annual tariff cut on 1 January 2026
Under the RCEP schedule, contracting parties reduced tariffs on an additional batch of HS lines from 1 January 2026. China-Japan trade now sees zero tariffs on approximately 86% of goods.
EU and Mercosur sign comprehensive partnership agreement
After 25 years of negotiation, the EU and Mercosur (Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay) signed the partnership in December 2025. Tariff elimination on more than 90% of bilateral trade phases in over 10-15 years.
Mexico tightens IMMEX programme and relabelling rules
From 1 January 2026, Mexico requires deeper traceability for goods entering under IMMEX (maquila) and bans transhipment-style relabelling for textiles and apparel without substantial transformation.
Brazil ICMS state convention harmonises import VAT for ecommerce
CONFAZ Convention ICMS 49/2025 standardises a 17% ICMS rate on ecommerce imports through the Remessa Conforme programme, removing inter-state arbitrage as of January 2026.
Thailand extends 7% VAT through 30 September 2026
Royal Decree continues the reduction of VAT from statutory 10% to 7% (effective rate including local government surcharge: 7% net at customs) for one more year.
Australia-UK FTA reaches third year, eliminates remaining tariffs on apparel
Under the Australia-UK FTA schedule, all remaining tariffs on UK-origin apparel and footwear are eliminated on 31 May 2026. Australian wine continues phased UK duty cuts.
US executive order tightens Section 321 de minimis for Chinese-origin parcels
From 2 May 2025, parcels from China and Hong Kong valued at USD 800 or less may no longer enter the United States under Section 321 informal entry. They are subject to applicable duties, including Section 301 tariffs.
India Union Budget 2025-26 rationalises customs duties
Budget 2025-26 reduces the number of customs tariff rate slabs from 15 to 8 and revises rates on 8,500 HS lines. Notable cuts: lithium-ion batteries (from 15% to 10%), critical minerals (most to 0%), display assembly parts (from 15% to 10%).
UK joins CPTPP, gaining preferential access to 11 economies
The Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership entered into force for the UK on 15 December 2024, providing tariff cuts on goods exported to and imported from Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, NZ, Peru, Singapore, and Vietnam.
Vietnam extends 8% VAT through end of 2026
National Assembly Resolution 142/2024/QH15 continues the reduced 8% VAT rate (down from the statutory 10%) for most goods and services until 31 December 2026. Banking, securities, real estate, and certain mineral products remain at 10%.
US raises Section 301 tariffs on Chinese EVs, batteries, and solar
USTR finalised increased Section 301 tariffs targeting strategic sectors. EV duty rises to 100%, lithium-ion EV batteries to 25%, photovoltaic cells to 50%, semiconductors to 50% by 2025.
EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism enters definitive phase
From 1 January 2026, importers of cement, iron and steel, aluminium, fertilisers, electricity, and hydrogen into the EU must surrender CBAM certificates corresponding to embedded emissions. The transitional reporting-only phase ended 31 December 2025.