Latest Foreign Trade Industry News – August 2026 (Condensed)

I. National Foreign Trade Core Data (First Half of the Year)
From January to June, my country's total import and export volume reached RMB 25.47 trillion, a year-on-year increase of 16.9%-marking the first time the volume for this period surpassed the RMB 25 trillion mark. Exports stood at RMB 14.73 trillion (+13.4%) and imports at RMB 10.74 trillion (+22.1%), demonstrating overall foreign trade resilience that exceeded expectations.
Structural Highlights: Exports of AI-enabled smart hardware, new energy vehicles (NEVs), and energy storage equipment surged by double digits; home appliance exports rebounded from their lows, with portable air conditioners selling briskly in the EU; growth rates in emerging markets-such as Central Asia, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East-far outpaced those in traditional markets like Europe and the US.
Exchange Rate Hedging: In the first half of the year, the foreign exchange hedging ratio for foreign trade enterprises rose to 35.3%. The State Administration of Foreign Exchange (SAFE) expanded pilot programs to facilitate cross-border trade and simplified settlement procedures, helping enterprises mitigate risks associated with exchange rate fluctuations.
II. Major Domestic Policies (Early August)
Escalation of Drone Export Controls (Effective August 5)
The Ministry of Commerce tightened export controls on complete drones, core components, and related technologies destined for the US. Approval thresholds were raised, and customs declarations now require additional disclosure regarding end-use. This move serves as a countermeasure against US technology blockades; drone export enterprises must now obtain export licenses in advance.
First National Security Investigation into Foreign Trade
The Ministry of Commerce initiated an investigation (with a 12-month duration) into imported printers and photocopiers equipped with foreign system software. The move aims to prevent imported office equipment from stealing government and corporate data, thereby benefiting the overseas expansion of domestic office equipment.
Expansion of Counter-Control Measures: Recently, 10 US enterprises and 14 EU entities were added to the export control list for dual-use items, prohibiting Chinese enterprises from supplying them either directly or indirectly.
Optimization of Port Clearance: Full coverage of the 75 "Greater Bay Area One-Port Connection" shipping routes was achieved, reducing customs clearance times by 2–3 days; cross-border trade pilot zones in Linyi, Ningbo, and other locations implemented policies allowing high-quality enterprises to settle foreign exchange without the need for document-by-document review for every transaction. III. New Overseas Regulations (Crucial for Exporters)
European Union
The scope of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) continues to expand, raising carbon costs for exports of steel, aluminum, and building materials; low-carbon upgrades have become a prerequisite for market entry.
The countdown to the Forced Labour Regulation has begun (with only 16 months remaining until official enforcement); the regulation shifts the burden of proof, requiring all enterprises exporting to Europe to conduct self-inspections and trace their entire supply chains.
Mandatory regulations regarding removable batteries now exempt smart glasses and smartwatches, leading to a significant rise in European orders for domestic wearable device manufacturers.
United States
FCC Emergency Ban: Imports of new Chinese humanoid robots, quadruped robots, and internet-connected inverters are prohibited. The ban applies only to new products not yet entered into the U.S. and offers an exemption pathway for non-Chinese suppliers.
Preliminary anti-subsidy ruling issued against Chinese graphite electrodes, restricting the export of domestic carbon products to the U.S.
Southeast Asia & Africa
Vietnam: Effective August 14, mandatory port-of-entry declarations are required for 12 categories of goods, including electromechanical products, textiles, and building materials. Mixed-cargo full container loads (FCL) are subject to detention and inspection; separate packing and shipping are recommended.
Kenya: Effective August 3, all containerized cargo requires the declaration of an ACD code five days in advance; bills of lading missing this code will result in fines and cargo detention.
ASEAN has unified air transport standards for lithium batteries, standardizing regulations for the cross-border logistics of power batteries.