On 22 April 2026, Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2026/296 was published in the Official Journal, setting out when unsold consumer products may still be destroyed despite a general ban. This development will have direct implications for companies placing goods on the EU market, including Hong Kong traders exporting into the Union.

Uzbekistan is strengthening its manufacturing sector by moving up the value chain, shifting from raw material extraction toward higher value-added production. With government support and abundant natural resources, the country is well-positioned to become a competitive player in this space. The development of its light industry presents opportunities for businesses looking to diversify their supply chains and tap into new growth potential.

Hong Kong has transitioned from a garment manufacturing powerhouse to a leading fashion design and sourcing hub. The city is now striving to take the lead in so-called “circular” fashion – a regenerative ecosystem designated to eliminate waste by keeping clothing, textiles and materials in use for as long as possible. To better understand advances made and challenges remaining in the development of circular fashion in Hong Kong, HKTDC Research interviewed Professor Christina Wong of the School of Fashion and Textiles at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU).

On 8 April 2026, the European Commission published the latest edition of its import surveillance monitoring results, together with an explanatory note outlining the methodology and key findings of its analysis of import trends into the European Union. The publication forms part of an initiative launched in 2025 to detect potentially harmful increases in imports and to inform possible policy responses where EU industries may be affected.

China Releases an Updated National Mandatory Standard GB 18383-2025 General technical requirements for products with filling materials.

Clothing exports experienced a 13% year-on-year decline in 2025. According to Euromonitor estimates, apparel retail sales grew modestly by 3% in 2025. However, recent geopolitical tensions and conflicts may significantly disrupt supply chains, potentially impacting overall demand and Hong Kong’s exports.

On 13 March 2026, it was reported that the European Commission’s environmental “omnibus” simplification package, introduced in mid-December, is encountering significant resistance within the Council of the European Union, with Member States struggling to align on both the substance and structure of the proposal. Three months into discussions, little tangible progress has been made, and officials widely expect that negotiations will take considerable time before any common position is reached.

On 2 March 2026, Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/333 concerning the tariff classification in the EU Combined Nomenclature (CN) of a particular ankle-stabilising article was published in the Official Journal. Adopted within the framework of the Union Customs Code (Regulation (EU) No 952/2013), it aims to ensure uniform application of the CN set out in Council Regulation (EEC) No 2658/87 across all Member States. The Regulation is directly applicable and binding in its entirety and enters into force on the twentieth day following its publication in the Official Journal.

The CIT recently ruled that certain mastectomy brassieres are properly classified as bras under HTSUS 6212.10.90 (16.9 percent duty) rather than as other artificial parts of the body and parts and accessories thereof under HTSUS 9021.39.00 (duty-free).

The Agricultural Marketing Service is withdrawing a direct final rule that would have implemented effective 1 March a 6.5 percent decrease from US$0.013247/kg to US$0.12388/kg in the assessments paid by importers of cotton and cotton-containing products under the Cotton Research and Promotion Order.