NPC Standing Committee Revises and Promulgates Foreign Trade Law

On December 27, 2025, the 19th session of the Standing Committee of the 14th National People’s Congress (NPC) revised and adopted the Foreign Trade Law, which was promulgated by Presidential Order No. 67 and will take effect on March 1, 2026.

The revised Foreign Trade Law covers management of Foreign Trade Operators, import and export of Goods and Technology, International Trade in Services, Intellectual Property Protection, Trade Order, Trade Investigations, Trade Remedies, Trade Promotion, and Legal Liability, etc. The main provisions include: Foreign Trade Operators must register in accordance with the law and comply with relevant provisions; certain goods are subject to State Trading administration, and may not be imported or exported without authorization; management measures such as prohibitions, restrictions, quotas, and licenses are set for the import and export of Goods and Technology and for International Trade in Services; strengthening Intellectual Property Protection and compliance mechanisms related to foreign trade; clarifying requirements on Antitrust and Anti-Unfair Competition; improving measures for Foreign Trade Investigations and Remedies; supporting Digital Trade, Green Trade, and the development of Small, Medium, and Micro Enterprises; and stipulating administrative and criminal liabilities for violations of relevant provisions.