Released on December 31, 2008 and effective on February 1, 2009

On December 31, 2008, the Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM), together with the General Administration of Customs (GAC), published Notice 120, substantially adjusting the Catalogue of Restricted and Prohibited Commodities in Processing Trade (“the Catalogue”).  This notice eliminates 1,730 HTS commodities, which together accounted for 77% of restricted commodities, including plastic raw materials, hardware, plastic products, wood products, textiles and more.  The new Catalogue contains only 106 export items, and took effect on February 1, 2009.

Notably, the new Catalogue does NOT include any furniture items (HTS Chapter 94), and the restriction placed on the export of furniture made through processing trade has been entirely revoked.