The Indonesian government has deferred an excise tax on packaged sugar-sweetened drinks to 2026, the Ministry of Finance announced on 17 June 2025. The Ministry originally planned to implement the tax in July 2025 to address the overconsumption of sugar and growing health concerns in the country.

On 26 June, the General Administration of Customs announced inspection, quarantine and hygiene requirements for imports of dairy products from Hong Kong to the Mainland. Hong Kong dairy products that meet the relevant requirements are now allowed to be exported to the Mainland. They must be accompanied by health certificates issued by the Hong Kong Food and Environmental Hygiene Department and each batch must come with an original certificate as proof of compliance with relevant regulations.

On 30 June 2025, the Official Journal of the European Union published Council Regulation (EU) 2025/1292 of 23 June 2025, opening and providing for the management of autonomous tariff quotas of the Union for certain agricultural and industrial products, and Council Regulation (EU) 2025/1303 of 23 June 2025, suspending customs duties on certain agricultural and industrial products. Pursuant to these two regulations, operators – including those based in Hong Kong – may find increased opportunities to sell the goods covered by those regulations to EU customers.

On 29 June, the General Administration of Customs announced its decision to conditionally resume the import of some aquatic products (including edible aquatic animals) originating from Japan with immediate effect, except for those from 10 metropolis/prefectures, namely Fukushima, Gunma, Tochigi, Ibaraki, Miyagi, Niigata, Nagano, Saitama, Tokyo and Chiba. Japanese companies exporting seafood to China must comply with regulations concerning the registration and administration of overseas manufacturers of imported food.

On May 8, 2025, the FDA issued a letter to retailers, distributors and importers informing them that dinnerware products such as bowls, plates, cups and utensils made from the sheath of A. catechu palm leaves have the potential to leach toxic alkaloid chemicals into food.

On 29 June, China announced the immediate resumption of seafood imports from certain regions in Japan, lifting a nearly two-year ban that had been in place due to concerns over the discharge of treated wastewater from the Fukushima nuclear plant.

Oman has implemented digital tax stamps on imported excise beverages, including carbonated drinks, alcoholic beverages and energy drinks (except sweetened drinks), starting 1 June 2025.

This study looks into Hong Kong’s food and beverage (F&B) export with Muslim-majority countries, followed by expert opinions on Halal food trade opportunities for Hong Kong, with a view to exploring new opportunities for business communities in the city.

The GBA Standardization Research Center announced on 22 May that nine new items have been added to the list of standards to be adopted throughout the GBA upon consultation and mutual confirmation by the parties concerned in Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao.

The European Commission has released its 2024 annual notification report on food contact materials (FCMs) and related articles, highlighting the key products affected and the most frequently reported issues.