The impact of Japan's cancellation of preferential tariffs on China on the nonwovens industry
Recently, many member companies have reported to the association that the Japanese government will impose a tax on non-woven products imported from China. 4.3% import tariff. The staff of the association consulted the relevant departments on this situation and checked some materials. The unified reply is as follows.
One,< /span>Japan’s import tariff system for nonwovens< /strong>
by checking the latest imported products (released on May 16, 2017) on the Japanese customs website Tariff table, Japan’s import tariffs on non-woven fabric coils (customs code 5603) are as follows.
Japan imposes a general tariff of 6.4% on imported nonwoven products, but it will be different for the following countries and products Degree of preference and exemption: tariff reduction to 4.3% (inclusive tariff) for non-woven fabrics from WTO member states; exemption of import tariffs from countries enjoying preferential tariffs; All 15 countries and regions are exempted from import tariffs; non-woven fabric products for battery separators from all countries are exempted from import tariffs.
The countries and regions currently signing EPA agreements with Japan include: Singapore, Mexico, Malaysia, Chile, Thailand, Indonesia, Brunei, ASEAN, Philippines, Switzerland, Vietnam, India, Peru, Australia and Mongolia.
Second, what is a preferential tariff
Currently, non-woven products exported from China to Japan are treated in accordance with Japan’s preferential tariffs, which is exempt Impose import duties.
"Preferential tariff" is abbreviated as preferential tax, also known as preferential tax, which refers to the A system in which all or part of the goods imported from a country or region are given low tax or tax relief treatment. Currently, a total of 143 countries and regions enjoy preferential tariff treatment unilaterally provided by Japan, mainly developing countries and regions.
On November 24, 2016, the Ministry of Finance of Japan announced that China, Mexico, Brazil, Thailand, and Malaysia The other five countries will no longer enjoy relevant tariff reductions and exemptions starting in fiscal year 2019. The introduction of the cancellation of the preferential tariff system is the result of Japan’s comprehensive assessment of the economic development level and development trend of China and other five developing countries. It is also an institutional adjustment made in accordance with the current global economic situation and the needs of Japan’s economic development. China. The adjustment of the preferential tariff policy is essentially an adjustment of the unilateral aid policy of developed countries to developing countries, which is not the same as restricting imports through various tariffs and non-tariff barriers.
If the preferential tariff policy is abolished, starting from fiscal year 2019, China’s non-woven products exported to Japan will be in accordance with WTO The standards of the member states are levied an import tariff of 4.3%.
3. Impact on China’s nonwovens industry
In 2016, China exported 821,000 tons of non-woven fabrics, valued at 2.67 billion US dollars. Exports were 106,000 tons, valued at US$290 million, accounting for 12.9% and 11% respectively. Japan is China’s largest export market for nonwovens. The amount of non-woven fabric products that China exports to Japan used in battery separators is very small.
From the perspective of Japan, Japan’s total imports of non-woven fabrics totaled US$710 million in 2016, and China was the largest The import source countries accounted for 44.3% of the total (the trade data between China and Japan are slightly different). Therefore, Japan imposes a 4.3% tariff on non-woven products imported from China, which will bring a tax burden of 13.6 million U.S. dollars. Countries and regions that export non-woven fabrics to Japan also include Thailand, Taiwan, Malaysia, South Korea, etc. These countries and regions will be in the Japanese market in the futureNational competition will have certain tariff advantages.
Four. Impact on Japan
Japan’s abolition of preferential tariffs on China will also have a certain impact on its industries. China is the world's largest non-woven fabric producer and exporter, and it has strong advantages in terms of cost and quality. The price of nonwovens imported by Japan from China is lower than the average level. Importers and corresponding end users will be more price sensitive, and tariffs will increase the burden on Japanese consumers.
The global layout of Japanese nonwovens enterprises, according to relevant data, the domestic nonwovens production in Japan in 2016 340,000 tons, while the overseas output of Japanese companies has reached 260,000 tons and maintained rapid growth. Toray Japan has a non-woven fabric factory in Nantong, and exports more than 40,000 tons of non-woven fabric from China. Therefore, the imposition of tariffs will also have a certain impact on Japanese companies investing in China.
So the Japanese government announced this policy at the end of 2016 and will implement it in 2019. The purpose is to make relevant Party fully adjusted and gradually digested the impact of the policy.
Five. Follow-up impact
According to the "Nihon Keizai Shimbun" report, Japan plans to impose "preferential tariffs on imports from developing countries" The “system” has been expanded to developed countries and emerging market countries, but the scope of application does not include categories that will impact Japan’s domestic industries, mainly including approximately 600 categories such as clothing, mining and industrial products, and food. Our association will continue to pay attention to Japan's trade policy and maintain communication with relevant departments to strive for and safeguard the rights and interests of the industry.
