Summary of recent tariff and tax changes in various countries
India
To impose a 5-year anti-dumping duty on pentaerythritol
It is $345.15 / ton for the Chinese mainland, $300.15 / ton for Saudi Arabia and $499.01 / ton for Taiwan. The measures shall take effect from the date of publication of the notification in the official Gazette.
Impose provisional anti-dumping duties on polyvinyl chloride paste resins involved in China
Impose provisional anti-dumping duties on trichloroisocyanuric acid related to China
Recently, the Indian Ministry of Commerce and Industry issued a notice to make a preliminary anti-dumping ruling on trichloroisocyanuric acid originating in or imported from China and Japan, proposing to impose provisional anti-dumping duties on the products involved in the above countries. Among them, the tax rate is: China 650-870 US dollars/ton, Japan 170 US dollars/ton.
Implementation of 1-year safeguard measures for low-ash metallurgical coke
The Indian Ministry of Commerce and Industry recently issued an announcement to make a final ruling on the safeguard measures for the import of low ash metallurgical coke, and suggested that the safeguard measures for 1 year should be implemented in the way of import amount restrictions on the products involved. This involved 157,292 tons of Chinese products.
Mexico
Impose anti-dumping duties on Chinese rigid polyvinyl chloride
On May 27, the Ministry of Economic Affairs of Mexico issued a notice to make a definitive anti-dumping final ruling on the hard polyvinyl chloride originating in China, and decided to impose an anti-dumping duty of 57.63% on the products involved. The announcement will come into effect on the 28th.
Brazil
To adjust the scope of anti-dumping duties on China-related passenger and truck tires
The Executive Committee of Management of the Brazilian Foreign Trade Council issued Resolution No. 583 of 2024, which decided to include tire components with rim sizes of 20 inches, 22 inches and 22.5 inches originating in China, Korea, Japan, Russia and Thailand in the scope of taxation. The anti-dumping duties established by GECEX Resolution 198 and GECEX Resolution 176 of 2021 shall apply. This resolution shall take effect as of the date of promulgation.
Inspection of imported tires will be intensified
Recently, the Brazilian National Bureau of Metrology Standards and Industrial Quality and the Federal Tax Bureau jointly carried out special inspection activities for imported tires, including the inspection of tires in line with the new version of the 379 “Tire products Comprehensive Regulations” required by the mandatory product provisions, such as inspection products do not comply with relevant regulations, importers or will face fines, seizure and destruction or product return and other penalties.
America
Relax EV tax incentives
The U.S. Treasury Department recently announced that it is relaxing the tax incentives for consumers who buy pure electric vehicles (EVs). According to the previous regulations, EVs that use Chinese-made minerals will no longer enjoy tax incentives from 2025, but this time, for some minerals such as graphite, the period will be relaxed to 2027, setting a two-year grace period for manufacturers.
Italy
A tax on electric vehicles is proposed
The Italian Ministry of Economy and Finance recently said that the Italian government is considering levying an excise tax on electric vehicles to make up for the loss of the tax reduction related to fuel vehicles. It is reported that in 2022, the Italian government will collect 71 billion euros in taxes from automobiles, of which 31.9 billion euros will come from fuel excise duty, 55 billion from vehicle royalties, and 12.3 billion from VAT on maintenance, spare parts and tires.
Uzbekistan
There are no import duties on various types of tractors
Recently, the Uzi Daily network reported that according to Presidential Decree No. 115 of March 5, 2024, before January 1, 2027, multiple types of tractors will be exempt from tariffs.
Argentina
Extend duty-free export of milk products until 2025
The Ministry of Economy of Argentina has announced that it will continue to implement the policy of exempting milk products from export withholding tax until June 30, 2025.
The Philippines
Relax import rules on agricultural products
Recently, Philippine President Marcos issued an executive order requiring the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Trade and Industry and the Ministry of Finance to coordinate the reduction of non-tariff barriers to agricultural imports in order to increase local supply and reduce prices of agricultural products such as rice and pork. These include: simplifying the procedures and requirements for the import licensing of agricultural products, minimizing the processing time of import applications, and exempting licensed traders from re-submitting registration materials.
Passed the amendment to the Rice Tariff Law
According to Philippine media reports, recently, the Philippine House of Representatives 2 passed the amendment to the Rice Tariff Law, which aims to restore the National Food Administration (NFA) to stabilize rice prices and supply supervision functions. The amendment also empowers the NFA to regulate foreign investment in the rice and corn sectors.
Azerbaijan
A 15 per cent import duty on electric scooters and bicycles is proposed
Azerbaijani Prime Minister Asadov signed a document imposing a 15 percent import duty on motorcycles with piston internal combustion engines with a cylinder capacity of no more than 50 ml and electric bicycles with a top speed of more than 50 km/h. The decision took effect on May 18.
The import and sale of various fertilizers and pesticides are exempt from VAT
Azerbaijani Prime Minister Asadov recently signed a government order approving the list of mineral fertilizers and pesticides exempt from VAT for import and sale, involving 48 fertilizers and 28 pesticides, mainly including ammonium nitrate, urea, pesticides, fungicides and so on.
It is proposed that non-resident individuals engaged in activities related to COP29 be exempt from personal income tax
The National Assembly of Azerbaijan has proposed a draft amendment to the tax law, which stipulates that, for a period of nine months from March 1 to November 1, 2024, non-resident individuals will be exempt from personal income tax on income from activities such as the supply of goods, the carrying out of work, the provision of services, etc. related to the holding of the COP29 Congress, in accordance with the documents issued by the relevant administrative authorities.
Thailand
Taxes will be imposed on imports of less than 1,500 baht
Recently, according to Bangkok Business News, Mr. Chulapan, Deputy Minister of Finance, revealed at a cabinet meeting that he will start drafting a law on the imposition of value-added tax on imported products, including products worth less than 1,500 baht, and fair treatment of small and micro entrepreneurs in the country. The law to be enforced will be based on international agreements in line with the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) tax regime. VAT is collected through the platform, and the platform gives the tax to the government.
Plans to introduce solar roof tax relief policy
Thailand’s Agency for Alternative Energy Development (DEDE) said a new tax break for households installing rooftop solar panels is expected to be finalised by mid-year to reduce electricity bills and carbon dioxide emissions. DEDE said the scheme is open to households that buy solar panels generating less than 10 kilowatts for less than 200,000 baht, and 90,000 households are expected to participate between this year and next.
Sri Lanka
A seasonal tax is expected to be introduced from 2025
Sri Lanka’s “Morning Post” reported on May 23 that Sri Lanka plans to implement a seasonal tax from 2025 to replace the current special commodity tax to better protect farmers and consumers. Seasonal taxes will be applied to domestically produced products, ensuring high prices for products while giving farmers a reasonable income, and lower taxes to protect consumers when prices rise during the holiday season.
