Every customs, duty and certification change that affects a buyer of Chinese goods in 2026, with the date it takes effect, what to do about it, and where to verify it. Updated 23 September 2026.
🛡️GCCHIGH
GCC Definitive Anti-Dumping Duty on Chinese Glass Products
The Gulf Cooperation Council imposed a definitive anti-dumping duty on certain flat and container glass products from China, effective 5 September 2026. The duty ranges from 7.1% to 20% on the CIF value depending on the producer/exporter, on top of the standard 5% GCC CET. The duty applies to imports into all six GCC member states (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain).
What to do:
If you ship glass containers, tableware, or flat glass from China into the GCC, recalculate your landed cost: the new effective duty is 12.1% to 25% of CIF. Update your Incoterms quote sheets and renegotiate with the factory before the next purchase order.
🇬🇧United KingdomMEDIUM
UK CDS: VATZ Coverage Update for Measurement Instruments
HMRC updated VATZ (VAT Zero-rated) coverage on 8 September 2026 to cover a wider range of measurement-instrument HS codes (9026102900, 9026900000, 9027109000, 9031900000). Declarations pre-lodged before the change must be amended to prevent rejection at the port. The update also covers revised commodity codes for polycarbonate infant feeding bottles (now under 3924100090 with Waiver 9Y51 effective 15 May 2026).
What to do:
If you ship measurement instruments into the UK, re-classify under the new VATZ codes before your next declaration to keep zero VAT. Confirm with your broker that pre-lodged entries are amended if your shipment falls in the affected HS sub-headings.
🇬🇧United KingdomMEDIUM
UK Excise Rates on Tobacco Updated for 1 October 2026
HMRC published updated excise rates for tobacco products (HS chapters 24 and 85) on 10 September 2026. The rates take effect 1 October 2026. CDS declarations must reflect the new rates at the time of release.
What to do:
E-cigarette and tobacco importers should update their cost models with the new excise rates before 1 October 2026. If you are the indirect representative on CDS, verify that your declared amounts use the post-1 October 2026 schedule.
🇮🇳IndiaMEDIUM
India BCD on Precious Metals Raised to 10%; SWS and AIDC Rationalised
The Central Government issued Customs Notifications on 12 May 2026 (effective 13 May 2026) revising the duty structure on gold, silver, platinum and other precious metal products (Chapter 71). Basic Customs Duty on precious-metal waste, ash and sweepings raised to 10%. Social Welfare Surcharge (SWS) and Agriculture Infrastructure & Development Cess (AIDC) rates rationalised to a unified structure.
What to do:
Jewellery, watch and bullion importers should request a refreshed landed-cost quote from their supplier. The effective rate change is roughly +5 to +7 percentage points on CIF; renegotiate factory ex-works price to recover margin before the next PO.
🇮🇳IndiaHIGH
India Mandatory cClassTrib Code on All Import Declarations
From 1 January 2026, every item of every Indian import declaration (DI, DSI and Duimp) must include the Tributary Classification Code (cClassTrib) per LC 214/2025 §348. The code links to the IBS/CBS tax-reform implementation. Filings without cClassTrib are rejected by ICEGATE.
What to do:
If you file via a customs broker, confirm they have updated their software to populate cClassTrib. If you self-file, request the table from the National NFe Portal (Tabela cClassTrib). A single missing field blocks the entire shipment at the port.
🇺🇸United StatesHIGH
US Section 301 Forced-Labor Duties: 12.5% on Chinese Goods
USTR announced Section 301 findings on 3 June 2026 covering 60 jurisdictions for failure to enforce bans on forced-labour goods. Effective 29 July 2026, an additional 12.5% ad valorem duty applies to articles the product of mainland China and Hong Kong (HTS 9903.05.57 and related headings). The duty stacks on top of existing Section 301 List 4A tariffs.
What to do:
US importers: confirm with your supplier that the factory has a forced-labour audit on file (ideally an independent third-party audit). Build the 12.5% additional duty into your landed-cost quote for any post-29 July 2026 entry. Update your customs broker on the new HTS 9903.05.57 flag.
🇸🇦Saudi ArabiaMEDIUM
Saudi SASO: New Mandatory Product Labeling from 1 October 2026
SASO issued a circular introducing mandatory labeling requirements for selected regulated products imported into Saudi Arabia. Effective 1 October 2026, products must display on the packaging: (1) supplier name (importer or local manufacturer) and (2) Commercial Registration (CR) number. Products without these labels will not be eligible for a Certificate of Conformity (CoC) on the SABER platform.
What to do:
If you ship to Saudi Arabia: request updated label artwork from your factory now, allow 4-6 weeks lead time, and verify the CR number is the importer's Saudi CR (not the exporter's Chinese business license). Plan your first labeled PO to land before October.
🇲🇽MexicoMEDIUM
Mexico IMMEX: 302 Tariff Lines Restricted from Program (2026)
On 18 December 2024 Mexico published Decree that expanded the list to 302 tariff lines of products that can no longer be imported under the IMMEX temporary-import regime. The new General Import and Export Duties Law took effect 1 January 2026 with stricter recordkeeping requirements: detailed bills of materials, supplier SAT screening against the EFOS/EDOS blacklist, and inventory-reconciliation audits.
What to do:
If you use IMMEX for re-export from Mexico: review your HS code list against the 302 excluded lines; anything on the list must enter under a different regime or pay full duty. Verify every supplier is off the SAT EFOS/EDOS blacklist before contracting.
Nigeria implemented its 2026 Fiscal Policy Measures on 1 April 2026, aligned with the ECOWAS CET 2022–2027 cycle. Key changes: 192 tariff lines now attract additional Import Adjustment Tax (IAT), 17 items are banned from import outside ECOWAS, 127 tariff lines enjoy reduced import duties, new excise duties on beverages/alcohol/tobacco, and a Green Tax Surcharge. A 90-day grace period applies to pre-existing Form M and irrevocable trade transactions.
What to do:
If you hold an open Form M dated before 1 April 2026, the 90-day grace lets you clear under the old schedule — but confirm with your freight forwarder and Customs broker. New POs need to be priced against the updated schedule. The Green Tax Surcharge typically adds 0.5–2% to the CIF on covered products.
🇧🇷BrazilHIGH
Brazil Duimp: New Mandatory Attribute for ANVISA-Anuência Goods
From 25 May 2026, every Brazilian Declaração Única de Importação (Duimp) covering products subject to ANVISA approval must include the attribute "Finalidade da importação – Anvisa" (ATT_14783). Without this attribute, the Duimp is rejected by Siscomex at submission. Affected goods: food, cosmetics, medical devices, pharmaceuticals, sanitizers.
What to do:
If you ship ANVISA-regulated goods from China into Brazil: ask your customs broker to confirm ATT_14783 is populated on every Duimp from 25 May 2026 onwards. Missing the attribute triggers an automatic rejection — your container sits at the port until corrected. Build a 1-2 day buffer into the customs-clearance timeline.