China adopts revised Foreign Trade Law

26 February 2026

China’s revised Foreign Trade Law (“Revised Law”), passed at a session of the National People’s Congress Standing Committee in December 2025, will take effect on 1 March 2026. 

The Revised Law incorporates provisions on safeguarding national sovereignty, security and development interests, while highlighting that China’s foreign trade shall serve national economic and social development. 

In implementing related reform measures, the Revised Law adds provisions on advancing China’s efforts to actively align with high-standard international economic and trade rules, and to participate in the formulation of international economic and trade regulations. In particular, the revision strengthens provisions related to trade facilitation, including measures to (i) promote the development of a cross-border financial services system; (ii) advance international mutual recognition of digital certificates and electronic signatures; (iii) develop product standards, certification and labelling systems related to green trade; and
(iv) support the development of a skilled foreign trade talent pool. 

To further optimise the development environment for foreign trade, the Revised Law clarifies that China will strengthen intellectual property (“IP”) protection related to foreign trade, and enhance the compliance and risk response capabilities of foreign trade operators regarding IP rights.