Canadian Surtax Remission and End-Use Relief Extended
In an announcement on October 17, 2025, The Minister of Finance and National Revenue announced relief to support Canadian businesses affected by the countermeasures Canada has announced in response to the tariffs imposed by the United States. To mitigate the potential adverse impacts of the surtaxes on Canada’s economy, the Minister announced that:
- “The current exemption for U.S. goods used in manufacturing, processing, or food and beverage packaging has been extended for an additional two months” and will now include goods used in agricultural production.
- “The temporary exemption from tariffs on imports of U.S. goods that are used to support public health, health care, public safety and national security objectives
Further relief from Canada’s tariffs on imports from the U.S. and China have been implemented for companies that met “strict conditions such as demonstrating short supply or existing contractual obligations.” Source
CBSA Clarifies Documentation Requirements for Steel and Aluminum Imports
On October 15, 2025, the Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) updated Customs Notice 25-28 CBSA to clarify that steel and aluminum imported as of September 22, 2025, will require specific documented evidence of country of melt and pour (COM) or country of smelt and cast (CSC) proving they are not from China, in order to avoid a surtax. The Government of Canada implemented the Steel Goods and Aluminum Goods Surtax Order on July 31, 2025, to address risks from global overcapacity and non-market practices in the steel and aluminum sectors, particularly linked to China. This measure also responds to restrictive trade actions by the United States under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act. Source
China Imposes Export Controls on Critical Minerals
The Chinese government announced broad new export controls on rare-earth magnets and their raw materials on grounds of national security. Five more medium to heavy rare earth elements - holmium, erbium, thulium, europium and ytterbium - and related material will be added from November 8. The rare earths will join over twenty elements and related materials already listed, in each case forcing exporters to apply to Beijing for licences before selling overseas. China has also separately banned exports of gallium, germanium and antimony to the United States. Importers will need a government license to access not only certain rare-earth magnets but also refined metals and alloys that go into magnets.
EU: New Centralised Clearance for Import (CCI) system is expanding across the EU
On 15 October 2025 Belgium and Sweden joined the CCI system. Belgium entered operations with the CCI Phase 1 standard declaration, including pre-lodged one. Sweden entered operations with CCI Phase 1 standard declaration, including pre-lodged one with some CCI Phase 2 functionalities such as processing of excise goods and goods in the context of trade with special fiscal territories. The CCI system entered its first phase of implementation in July 2024, starting with 8 Member States: Bulgaria, Estonia, Spain, Luxembourg, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, and Romania: see Centralised Clearance for Import (CCI) goes live.
On 30 September 2024, Croatia joined the CCI system in operation with CCI Phase 1, followed by Italy, which joined shortly after on 08 November 2024: see Centralised Clearance for Import (CCI) system is expanding across EU over time - Croatia - Italy.
By 30 June 2025, 7 Member States: Bulgaria, Estonia, Spain*, Luxembourg, Latvia, Romania and Croatia successfully deployed CCI Phase 2 and thereby entered operations with the CCI Full system. This new trans-European system ensures the digitalisation of the centralised clearance process at European level as defined in the Union Customs Code (UCC). It is available for use by European businesses in 12 Member States: Bulgaria, Estonia, Spain, Luxembourg, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Croatia, Italy, Belgium and Sweden. Other Member States are planning to join gradually in the coming months.
The CCI system is a powerful new tool to reduce administrative burden for administrations, while supporting EU businesses and the legitimate trade facilitation across borders through simplified procedures.
How will EU companies benefit?
- Faster customs clearance of the imported goods
- Reduction of the number of customs procedures, i.e., no transit procedure
- Reduction of administrative workload through a single contact
- Saving costs with centralised processes, providing transparency and compliance
- Participating in a globalised market, being more competitive, boosting business with customers and partners regardless of their location
Source: European Commission
EU strengthens international tax cooperation with Switzerland
The European Union has taken a significant step in its ongoing efforts to improve international tax compliance and combat tax fraud and evasion. On 20 October, the EU signed an amending protocol to strengthen the existing tax cooperation agreement with Switzerland. This protocol aligns the agreement with recent EU and international standards by expanding automatic exchanges of financial account information and establishing a new framework for cooperation on the recovery of Value-Added Tax (VAT) claims. Source
European Union is strengthening control over the origin of minerals
EU Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2025/2071 on the recognition of the responsible sourcing of minerals as equivalent to the Responsible Sourcing of Minerals Initiative, in accordance with Article 8(3) of Regulation (EU) 2017/821 of the European Parliament and of the Council, has been published. Decision 2025/2071 was issued on the basis of Article 8(3) of Regulation (EU) 2017/821 of the European Parliament and of the Council, which lays down supply chain due diligence obligations for importers of tin, tantalum, tungsten and gold originating from conflict-affected or high-risk areas. The European Commission has concluded that the due diligence system developed by the initiative known as RMI (Responsible Minerals Assurance Process) meets the requirements of the EU regulation and can be used by companies as an equivalent compliance mechanism. The decision enters into force on 18 October 2025.
EU Commission proposes targeted measures to ensure the timely implementation of EU Deforestation Regulation
The Commission is proposed targeted solutions to support companies, global stakeholders, third countries and Member States to ensure a smooth implementation of the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). With proposal, the Commission wants to make sure that the IT system is fully operational to address the EU's contribution to the global challenge of deforestation. At the same time, the proposal will simplify reporting obligations, notably for micro and small primary operators from low risk countries worldwide, while maintaining a robust tracking mechanism. The EUDR is a key initiative to fight deforestation. The Commission is committed to pursuing its objectives.
Key measures
Taking into account feedback from stakeholders in the context of the Commission's simplification efforts throughout the year, the Commission proposal introduces targeted simplifications to reduce obligations for:
- Operators and traders that commercialise the relevant EUDR products once they have been placed on the EU market. These can be, for example, retailers or large EU manufacturing companies. These companies are in the downstream part of the relevant value chains. The upstream operator will continue to exercise due diligence.
- Micro and small primary operators from low-risk countries worldwide who sell their goods directly on the European market. These cover close to 100% of farmers and foresters in the EU. Source
EU Announces CBAM Simplification
EU announced that the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) Simplification Regulation (EU) 2025/2083 entered into force which amends Regulation (EU) 2023/956:
- A key simplification is the de minimis exemption, which will now be based on a single mass-based threshold of 50 tons per year, replacing the previous exemption for consignments valued below EUR 150.
- Additional simplifications measures include the authorization procedure, the data collection processes, the calculation of the emissions, verification rules, and authorized CBAM declaration financial liability calculation. The delegation of CBAM declarations to other authorized parties has been clarified, allowing third parties with valid Economic Operators Registration and Identification (EORI) number to submit CBAM declarations on the importer's behalf, but the importer will remain legally responsible. These changes, including the new 50 tons exemption threshold, simplified reporting requirements and delegated declarations will be effective from January 1, 2026. Link
EU Entry/Exit System (EES) becomes operational
From 12 October 2025, Member States will start implementing a new European digital border control system – the Entry/Exit System (EES) – at their external borders. From that date, Member States will start registering the data of non-EU nationals crossing the EU's external borders electronically for short stays (90 days in any 180-day period). Registration will be carried out gradually, over a period of six months. Source
EU registers imports of terephthalic acid from Korea and Mexico
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/2013 making imports of terephthalic acid originating in the Republic of Korea and Mexico subject to registration has been published. The product to be registered is terephthalic acid with a purity of 99,5 % by weight or more, usually under CAS number 100-21-0 and usually corresponding to CUS number 0023865-3. The product concerned currently falls under CN code ex 2917 36 00 (TARIC code 2917 36 00 11). Terephthalic acid is a key raw material in the production of plastics (PET), polyester fibers and resins. The regulation enters into force on 10 October 2025.
EU registers imports of polyamide yarn from China
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/1984 making imports of polyamide yarns originating in the People's Republic of China subject to registration has been published. The product to be registered is synthetic continuous filament yarns made of aliphatic polyamides, not intended for retail sale, including synthetic single-filament yarn with a linear weight of less than 67 decitex. The product subject to registration covers all variants of yarn of nylon or other aliphatic polyamides, textured – with a linear weight of a single thread of not more than 50 texts – or untextured, single, double, multi-component (compound) or cabled (or variants thereof), twisted or untwisted, currently classified under CN codes 5402 31 00, 5402 45 00, 5402 51 00 and 5402 61 00 and originating in the People's Republic of China. Yarn of polyamides with high tensile strength, falling within CN code 5402 19 00, is excluded. Polyamide yarns are used, among m.in others, in the production of technical textiles, sportswear, medical and industrial devices. The regulation enters into force on 7 October 2025.
EU Commission (EU) on protecting the steel industry from the effects of global overcapacity
The European Commission has presented a proposal to protect the EU's steel sector from the unfair effects of global overcapacity, a key step towards ensuring the long-term viability of a strategically important industry. Delivering on the commitments set out in the EU Steel and Metals Action Plan, the proposal upholds the principle of open trade and strengthens cooperation with global partners to address overcapacity by: (1) reducing duty-free import volumes to 18.3 million tonnes per year (a 47% reduction compared to steel quotas for 2024), (2) doubling the level of the out-of-quota duty to 50% (compared to 25% as collateral) and (3) strengthen the traceability of steel markets by introducing a melting and pouring requirement to prevent circumvention. The Commission's proposal will now go through the ordinary legislative procedure, which means that it will be up to the European Parliament and the Council to agree on the final version of the regulation. Source
EU Commission proposes safeguards to strengthen protections for EU farmers in EU-Mercosur deal
The Commission proposed a Regulation to strengthen protections for EU farmers in the context of the EU-Mercosur Partnership Agreement (EMPA). The proposed safeguards deliver on the guarantees provided to EU farmers under the EMPA legal proposal, sent to EU Member States by the Commission on 3 September. In practice, they provide an additional layer of certainty to EU farmers beyond the carefully calibrated phase-in of targeted quotas that have been agreed with Mercosur for imports in sensitive sectors. In the unlikely event of an unforeseen and harmful surge in imports from Mercosur or an undue decrease in prices for EU producers, swift and effective protections would kick into gear.
The proposal lays down procedures to guarantee the timely and effective implementation of bilateral safeguard measures for agricultural products. It also includes specific provisions as regards certain sensitive agricultural products (listed in the Annex to the regulation) such as beef, poultry, rice, honey, eggs, garlic, ethanol, and sugar.
EU Commission proposes plan to protect EU steel industry from unfair impacts of global overcapacity
The new measure will cap tariff-free steel imports at 18.3 million tons per year — roughly half the current level — and double out-of-quota duties to 50%. Replacing the safeguard in place since 2018, this initiative aims to protect over 2.5 million European jobs, bolster economic security, and support the decarbonisation of Europe’s steel sector, while promoting joint efforts with global partners to tackle industrial overcapacity and secure resilient supply chains. Link
A new platform to increase transparency in mineral supply chains
On 1 October 2025, DG TRADE launched a new platform to increase the transparency of mineral supply chains. This new tool, called ReMIS (Responsible Mineral Information System), enables economic operators to record and share their due diligence policies and initiatives to ensure responsible sourcing of metals and minerals. This will enable them to share best practices with the wider public and showcase their efforts to increase transparency in the supply chain. Business operators must register to use the ReMIS platform.
Extension of the EU-Ukraine Road Transport Agreement until 2027
Council Decision (EU) 2025/1997 on the position to be taken on behalf of the European Union within the Joint Committee established by the Agreement between the European Union and Ukraine on the carriage of goods by road as regards the extension of the Agreement has been published. This position concerns the extension of the agreement that facilitates international road transport between the EU and Ukraine. The agreement, concluded in June 2022, is a key instrument to support the liquidity of trade and solidarity lanes in the context of Russia's armed aggression against Ukraine. It was decided to extend its validity until 31 March 2027, which will allow the continued use of simplified transport rules without the need to obtain permits.
India: Implementation of Sea Cargo Manifest Transhipment Regulations (SCMTR), 2018.
The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) has announced the implementation of the Sea Cargo Manifest and Transhipment Regulations (SCMTR), 2018.The SCMTR aims to enhance transparency and improve cargo tracking by mandating advance filing of cargo manifests for all sea imports, exports, and transhipments. Key stakeholders, including shipping lines, freight forwarders, and transhipment operators, are required to ensure timely electronic submission of cargo-related data as per the prescribed timelines. Businesses are advised to review their compliance processes and align documentation practices with SCMTR requirements to avoid delays or penalties. Source
India: Auto-approval of Incentive Bank Account and IFSC Code Registration requests across all customs location
The Indian Customs authorities have implemented auto-approval for Incentive Bank Account and IFSC Code Registration requests across all customs locations. This enhancement is aimed at streamlining the approval process, reducing processing time, and improving ease of doing business for trade stakeholders. Importers and exporters can now experience faster validation of bank details linked to various incentive and refund schemes. Stakeholders are advised to verify their account details in the ICEGATE system to ensure smooth processing of benefits. Source
India: Exemption From Quality Control Order (QCO) On Importof Aerospace Grade Hydrogen Peroxide for Non-Commercial R&D Application
The Government of India has announced an exemption from the applicability of the Quality Control Order (QCO) for the import of aerospace grade hydrogen peroxide. This exemption applies specifically to non-commercial Research & Development (R&D) applications. The measure aims to facilitate innovation and research in the aerospace sector by ensuring uninterrupted access to essential materials for testing and development purposes. Importers engaged in R&D activities should maintain proper documentation to demonstrate eligibility for this exemption during customs clearance. Source
United States: CBP Provides Guidance on Upcoming Section 301 Vessel Fees
In a Cargo Systems Messaging Service (CSMS) bulletin published on October 3, 2025, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) published a document that outlined how CBP intends to collect Section 301 vessel fees for vessels “owned, operated, or built in China, and for all foreign-built vehicle carrier vessels. These fees were originally proposed in a pair of Federal Register Notices (FRN) and are divided into three Annexes:
- Annex 1 vessels will be subject to a fee of $50 per net ton for an arriving vessel owned or operated by a Chinese entity.
- Annex 2 vessels will be subject to whichever fee is higher of $18 per net ton or $120 for each container discharged from an arriving Chinese built vessel.
- Annex 3 vessels will be subject to a fee of $14 per net ton for an “arriving vessel classified as a vehicle carrier or roll-on/roll-off vessel.” Source
U.S.- Canada Trade Tensions Escalate as Trump Ends Negotiations
President Trump announced late Thursday that he is terminating all trade negotiations with Canada, escalating tensions with America’s second-largest trading partner. The decision follows a video ad released by Ontario’s government that featured former President Ronald Reagan criticizing tariffs in a 1987 radio address. Trump’s announcement comes just ahead of a regional summit in Malaysia, where both he and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney are scheduled to attend. It remains unclear whether the two leaders will meet following this latest trade dispute.