Last reviewed: August 2026 · Cadence: biweekly when volatile / monthly otherwise · Playbook: Going global · Centre: Outbound · China trade: Trade & customs guide.
How to useStatus legend
Watch listCurrent priorities
LanesUS · EU · China
Program skeletonWhat good looks like
Changelog
Ops checklist
How to use this tracker
- Trade compliance owners scan the Watch list on cadence; product and logistics join when classification or destination risk moves.
- Status legend: Stable baseline · Active evolution · High volatility · Interface (customs, sanctions, investment screening).
- Not a screening tool. Run denied-party, end-use, and licence determinations in licensed systems with counsel—not from this page.
Watch list — current priorities (Aug 2026)
| Theme | Status | Operator impact | Owner | Portal depth |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US export controls (EAR-oriented themes) | High volatility | Classification, licence exceptions, entity/list screening, re-exports, China-related tech and manufacturing equipment | Trade + Legal | US export controls guide |
| US import / tariff measures | Active evolution | Section 301-style duties, classification, valuation, forced-labour documentation themes | Customs + Finance | US import/export |
| EU dual-use & export controls | Active evolution | EU dual-use list, national measures, Germany as logistics hub risk | Trade (EU lane) | German customs / controls · EU trade compliance |
| Trade remedies (AD/CVD) | Active | Product-specific duties; questionnaire / defence timelines if named | Trade remedy counsel | EU AD defence |
| China export controls & licensing | Active evolution | Controlled items, technologies, dual-use catalogues; exporter compliance from PRC side | China trade counsel | China trade guide · Import/export foreign biz |
| Sanctions / restricted parties | High volatility | Customer, bank, vessel, end-user hits; payment and logistics blocks | Compliance + Treasury | Counsel + screening tools |
| Investment screening (e.g. CFIUS-type) | Interface | Not export control, but often same tech thesis—M&A and greenfield | M&A Legal | CFIUS guide |
| Rules of origin / “China + 1” | Active | Tariff engineering vs substantial transformation; Vietnam/ASEAN shifts | Supply chain + Customs | China vs Vietnam |
| Semiconductors / AI compute interface | High volatility | Tools, chips, model-training infrastructure narratives | Product + Trade | Semi equipment controls · AI tracker |
Lane map (who cares about what)
| Lane | Typical questions | Start here |
|---|---|---|
| Chinese exporter → US | Can we ship? Licence? List hit? Tariff stack? | US export + import guides · this tracker |
| Chinese exporter → EU | Dual-use? AD exposure? Customs valuation? | EU trade · German customs · AD defence |
| MNC exporting from China | PRC export licence + destination controls | China trade guide · foreign biz import/export |
| Tech / AI hardware | Controls + AI product rules + data | AI centre · privacy transfers if data moves |
| Manufacturing shift | Origin, labour, investment entry | CN vs VN · corridors |
Program skeleton (minimum viable trade compliance)
- Product matrix — SKU → HS code → dual-use/control tags → destinations.
- Party screening — customers, banks, forwarders, end-users; escalation path.
- End-use / end-user diligence — especially for tools, chemicals, electronics, software.
- Licence calendar — applications, conditions, recordkeeping.
- Contract clauses — export compliance, anti-diversion, audit rights.
- Training — sales and logistics (where most leakage happens).
- Incident response — hold shipment, voluntary disclosure analysis with counsel.
Changelog
| Date | Change | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| 2026-08 | Tracker v1.0 launched: multi-lane watch list, program skeleton, links to US/EU/China trade guides and CN–VN manufacturing compare. | Gives GTM and compliance a single scan page instead of only long-form articles. |
Next refreshes: add dated measure rows when major jurisdictions publish list updates; keep product-level detail in counsel memos, not on this public page.
After each tracker update
- [ ] Diff Watch list against your product × destination matrix
- [ ] Re-run screening policy if sanctions/list volatility flagged
- [ ] Brief sales on any “hold and escalate” categories
- [ ] Check in-flight licences and broker instructions
- [ ] Sync with AI/hardware teams if compute/tools rows moved
- [ ] Stamp “trade tracker reviewed [date]” in compliance calendar
Related & counsel
Outbound playbook China trade lawyers Overseas network Find counsel
US export controls · China vs Vietnam · ESG & forced labour · City compare
General information only—not legal advice. Export controls and sanctions change without notice. Use licensed screening tools and qualified counsel before shipping or contracting. China Legal Portal Editorial.