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China Customs Issues Implementation Notice for the 2025 Catalogue of Encouraged Industries for Foreign Investment

2026-01-27

China Customs Issues Implementation Notice for the 2025 Catalogue of Encouraged Industries for Foreign Investment

On December 15, 2025, the National Development and Reform Commission and the Ministry of Commerce jointly issued Decree No. 37, publishing the 2025 Catalogue of Encouraged Industries for Foreign Investment, effective February 1, 2026. China Customs subsequently issued an implementation notice on January 27, 2026, to support accurate application of the catalogue and access to import tax incentives.

China Customs Publishes New Enterprise Credit Management Rules Effective April 1, 2026

2026-01-13

China Customs Publishes New Enterprise Credit Management Rules Effective April 1, 2026

On January 13, 2026, China Customs issued Decree No. 282, the Measures of the Customs of the People's Republic of China for Credit Management of Registered and Filed Enterprises. Effective April 1, 2026, the measures represent the first systematic upgrade to the customs credit-management framework since 2021.

US-Israel-Iran Conflict Disrupts Shipping Through the Strait of Hormuz

2026-02-28

US-Israel-Iran Conflict Disrupts Shipping Through the Strait of Hormuz

Fighting triggered by US and Israeli strikes on Iran escalated on February 28, 2026, severely disrupting traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. The waterway carries more than one-quarter of global seaborne oil trade and about one-fifth of LNG shipments, making its security critical to worldwide shipping markets.

Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd Resume ME11 Service, Then Suspend It Again as Security Deteriorates

2026-02-15

Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd Resume ME11 Service, Then Suspend It Again as Security Deteriorates

On February 3, 2026, Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd announced that vessels in their Gemini Cooperation network would begin returning to the Red Sea. It marked their first formal return to the Red Sea-Suez Canal corridor since security threats forced diversions around the Cape of Good Hope in early 2024.

Middle East Conflict Continues to Raise Global Shipping Costs as Carriers Revise Rates

2026-03-01

Middle East Conflict Continues to Raise Global Shipping Costs as Carriers Revise Rates

Global shipping rates continued to climb in March as the conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran persisted.

Dry Bulk Market Remains Elevated as the BDI Continues to Rise

2026-03-02

Dry Bulk Market Remains Elevated as the BDI Continues to Rise

Higher crude prices supporting coal demand, uncertainty around China-US agricultural purchases and strong Chinese breakbulk exports kept the dry bulk market elevated in the first half of 2026. The Baltic Dry Index has risen by about 36% since late February.

South Asia-Middle East Freight Rates Surge 807% as Conflict Escalates

2026-04-01

South Asia-Middle East Freight Rates Surge 807% as Conflict Escalates

The further escalation of conflict in the Middle East in April 2026 sent significant shocks through global shipping markets.

Shipping Companies Face First-Quarter Pressure as Maersk's Ocean Business Posts a Loss

2026-04-15

Shipping Companies Face First-Quarter Pressure as Maersk's Ocean Business Posts a Loss

Despite higher spot rates, shipping-company earnings remained under pressure because much of their capacity was locked into lower-priced long-term contracts while deteriorating security conditions raised operating costs.

China's Low-Cost E-commerce Exports Keep Falling, Reshaping Air Cargo

2026-05-01

China's Low-Cost E-commerce Exports Keep Falling, Reshaping Air Cargo

China's low-cost e-commerce exports fell 7% year on year in May 2026, including a 15% decline in shipments to Europe.

China Customs Launches 2026 Spot Inspections for Goods Outside Statutory Inspection

2026-05-08

China Customs Launches 2026 Spot Inspections for Goods Outside Statutory Inspection

On May 8, 2026, China Customs issued Announcement No. 57, introducing spot inspections from June 1 for selected imports and exports outside the statutory inspection catalogue to protect consumers, health and safety.

2026 International Freight Forwarding and Logistics Development Forum Held in Tianjin

2026-06-03

2026 International Freight Forwarding and Logistics Development Forum Held in Tianjin

The 2026 High-Quality Development Forum for International Freight Forwarding and Logistics was held at the National Convention and Exhibition Center in Tianjin on June 3. The event, themed around navigating change in the AI era, was jointly organized by CIFA and the Tianjin freight forwarding and logistics supply-chain association alongside the fourth Tianjin International Shipping Industry Expo.

Freight Forwarder Failures Continue as More Than 30 US Overseas Warehouses Face Distress

2026-06-10

Freight Forwarder Failures Continue as More Than 30 US Overseas Warehouses Face Distress

More than 30 freight forwarder-linked overseas warehouses failed or entered distress in the US market during the first quarter of 2026, affecting over 200 sellers and more than RMB 200 million in cargo. Shenzhen and Yiwu were among the hardest-hit locations, following more than 1,100 freight forwarders flagged for poor credit at three major ports in 2025.

China Customs Expands the Unified Certificate Reform for Vehicle Imports

2026-06-16

China Customs Expands the Unified Certificate Reform for Vehicle Imports

On June 16, 2026, China Customs announced nationwide expansion of a reform combining the Certificate of Import for Goods covering automobiles and motorcycles with the accompanying inspection form for imported motor vehicles.

Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd Restart an Asia-Mediterranean Route Through Suez

2026-07-06

Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd Restart an Asia-Mediterranean Route Through Suez

On July 6, Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd announced a structural change to the AE15 Asia-Mediterranean service within their Gemini Cooperation network. The route will return from the Cape of Good Hope to the Red Sea and Suez Canal, with Majestic Maersk expected to operate the first sailing.

Amazon Opens Global Smart Hub Warehouses in the Yangtze River Delta

2026-07-07

Amazon Opens Global Smart Hub Warehouses in the Yangtze River Delta

Amazon announced two new eastern China hub warehouses in Shanghai and Ningbo on July 7. The Shanghai facility began receiving inventory on July 16, while the Ningbo site is scheduled to launch in the third quarter, extending Amazon's network from its first Shenzhen hub into a combined southern and eastern China footprint.

High-Tech Export Boom Drives Counter-Seasonal Growth in Air Cargo

2026-07-13

High-Tech Export Boom Drives Counter-Seasonal Growth in Air Cargo

Exceptionally strong demand for AI-related hardware and semiconductors drove global air cargo volumes about 7% to 9% higher year on year in June 2026, exceeding market expectations.

Guangzhou Customs Publishes 33 Measures to Facilitate Cross-Border Trade in 2026

2026-07-09

Guangzhou Customs Publishes 33 Measures to Facilitate Cross-Border Trade in 2026

Guangzhou Customs released 33 detailed measures for its 2026 cross-border trade facilitation initiative on July 9.

China Customs Designs Tailored Supervision for Emerging Trade Models

2026-07-22

China Customs Designs Tailored Supervision for Emerging Trade Models

At a State Council Information Office briefing on July 22, China Customs said it would tailor supervision to the small orders, mixed cargo and high frequency typical of cross-border e-commerce, overseas warehouses and market-procurement trade.

China-Uzbekistan AEO Mutual Recognition Takes Effect August 1

2026-07-23

China-Uzbekistan AEO Mutual Recognition Takes Effect August 1

China Customs announced on July 23 that the AEO mutual-recognition arrangement between China and Uzbekistan would take effect on August 1, 2026.

China's First National Standard for Self-Storage Takes Effect August 1

2026-07-28

China's First National Standard for Self-Storage Takes Effect August 1

The national standard Specification for Self-Storage Operation and Management, GB/T 47259-2026, takes effect on August 1.

Global Freight Rates Remain Volatile as Shipping Faces Compounding Second-Half Pressure

2026-07-28

Global Freight Rates Remain Volatile as Shipping Faces Compounding Second-Half Pressure

Geopolitical conflict, shifting trade policies and other overlapping forces returned global shipping markets to high volatility in the first half of 2026.

Freight Forwarders Face a New Round of Margin Pressure

2026-07-01

Freight Forwarders Face a New Round of Margin Pressure

Industry analysts warn that a more stable shipping market in the second half of 2026 will not necessarily restore freight forwarder profitability. Companies may instead face compressed margins and greater difficulty collecting receivables.