On 27 December 2025, China passed the revised Foreign Trade Law of the People’s Republic of China (the Revised Foreign Trade Law), which took effect on 1 March 2026.
The Foreign Trade Law sets out the legal framework for the import and export of goods, technologies and services. It states that China will “connect with, participate in and safeguard” international trade rules, and introduces a trade policy compliance mechanism to better align domestic trade measures with international commitments.
Set out below are several key aspects of the revision and their potential implications for businesses engaged in cross-border trade:
1 Import and export of Goods and Technologies
The Revised Foreign Trade Law continues to regulate the import and export of goods and technologies under a “freedom plus regulation” approach. Depending on the nature of the product or technology, trade may fall into three categories: prohibited, restricted, or free import and export. Prohibited items are not
