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10/14Wed
  1. AMZ123 Cross-Border Headlines80

    EU PFHxA Restrictions Take Effect, Affecting Cosmetics, Clothing, Food Packaging, and Other Products

    EU restrictions on perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA), its salts, and related substances took effect on October 10, 2026, affecting consumer products including cosmetics, clothing, footwear, and food packaging. Under Regulation (EU) 2024/2462, the applicable sales restrictions apply when concentrations of PFHxA and its salts reach or exceed 25 ppb, or concentrations of related substances reach or exceed 1,000 ppb. The restrictions target specific substances and their concentrations rather than banning entire product categories. The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) is assessing broader restrictions on the PFAS class.

    Why selected:The material distinguishes concentration limits for specific substances from bans on entire categories of goods, helping clarify the specific compliance requirements to check for cosmetics, clothing and food packaging.

10/13Tue
  1. UK HMRC Tax and Customs Announcements38

    UK HMRC guidance: How to apply to change an excise warehousekeeper approval

    HMRC provides a way for existing excise warehousekeepers to apply for changes to their approval and the approval of their storage facilities. Applicants must report changes as soon as possible and obtain approval before implementing them. Applications can cover updates to business details, adding or removing warehouses, goods or operations, and changing the approved area. Online applications must use a Government Gateway account linked to the UTR and include a business plan and premises plan.

  2. UK HMRC Tax and Customs Announcements17

    UK HMRC VAT Insurance Guide

    The UK HMRC VAT Insurance Guide explains how to identify the applicable provisions of the European Community Sixth Directive (now the VAT Principal Directive) and UK VAT law. It covers determining whether insurance is exempt, types of insurance, underwriting at Lloyd’s of London, insurance intermediary services, insurance and related services supplied outside the UK, and topics including VAT and Insurance Premium Tax (IPT) and connected persons.

  3. AMZ123 Cross-Border Headlines69

    UPU report: After the US and EU adjusted their low-value duty-free policies, inbound parcel volumes fell by 70.3% and 31%, respectively

    The Universal Postal Union’s 2026 State of the Postal Sector report shows that postal item volumes entering the US in September 2025 fell 70.3% year over year, while parcel volumes sent to the EU in July 2026 fell 31% year over year. The US ended its de minimis exemption for imported goods valued under $800 on August 29, 2025. Postal operators in Germany, Japan, Switzerland and other countries subsequently suspended acceptance of parcels destined for the US.

10/12Mon
  1. Announcement from Germany’s Federal Network Agency69

    Germany’s Federal Network Agency announces proposed Deutsche Post rate increases for 2027–2028

    Germany’s Federal Network Agency has published a draft rate regulation decision for Deutsche Post for 2027–2028. The average allowable price increase is 20.35% for letters sent by private customers and business mail, and 10.72% for parcels sent by private customers. Declining letter volumes are the main reason. Increases may vary by product, and specific rates require separate approval. The proposed rates would apply from January 1, 2027, through December 31, 2028.

    Why selected:The announcement clarified the proposed average price increases for different postal services and the subsequent approval process, providing a basis for understanding the scope of tariff changes for specific Deutsche Post products.

  2. AMZ123 Cross-Border Headlines52

    Malaysia plans to submit an e-commerce bill; Indonesia focuses on the passing on of withholding tax costs; Thailand investigates two warehouses

    The Malaysian government plans to submit the E-Commerce Bill during the next parliamentary session, strengthening oversight of online platforms and sellers, with a focus on consumer protection, the interests of local small and medium-sized businesses, and platform responsibilities. Since October 1, eligible e-commerce platforms in Indonesia have withheld PPh 22 income tax on transaction income earned by certain sellers. On October 10, the Consumer Protection Agency (BPKN) called for preventing the added costs from being passed on to consumers through price increases and for clearly displaying all fees before checkout.

10/11Sun
  1. The Hindu BusinessLine Business & Technology30

    India’s Department of Telecommunications prepares Cabinet memorandum on satellite communications spectrum usage fees, pending Cabinet approval

    India’s Department of Telecommunications has prepared a Cabinet memorandum on spectrum usage fees for satellite communications (Satcom) services and is expected to submit it to the Cabinet for consideration and approval in the coming days. Previously, the Digital Communications Commission approved a spectrum usage fee of 5% of Adjusted Gross Revenue (AGR), with a one-percentage-point reduction to 4% for government-designated hard-to-connect areas and remote border areas. Even after spectrum fees and administrative allocation are settled, companies must obtain security clearances, including from the Ministry of Home Affairs, before they can operate.

  2. PPC Land advertising and platform updates50

    Turkey requires social media platforms to use national age tokens starting November 1

    Turkey has issued social media age-verification regulations requiring domestic and foreign social media platforms accessible from Turkey to use government-issued age tokens for new accounts starting November 1, 2026. The regulations ban services for users under 15, require segregated, restricted services for users aged 15 to 17, and prohibit personalized advertising and interfaces that continuously display visual content through scrolling, clicking, or autoplay. Implementation still depends in part on technical guidelines yet to be published. Existing accounts must complete verification by March 31, 2027, and visitors who are not Turkish residents must use a special passport-based token.

10/10Sat
  1. PPC Land advertising and platform updates58

    Turkey to ban social media services for users under 15 starting November 1, 2026

    Turkey has issued regulations banning domestic and foreign social media providers accessible in the country from offering services to users under 15 starting November 1, 2026. New accounts must verify their age using a token issued through the government e-government portal. Users aged 15 to 17 must use a segregated service that prohibits personalized advertising, public accounts, livestreaming, and features that continuously display visual content through scrolling or clicking.

  2. PPC Land advertising and platform updates74

    EU Council draft would shorten the waiting period before seeking cookie consent again to four months

    An EU Council draft marked LIMITE and dated October 2 proposes that websites wait only four months after a visitor rejects cookies before seeking consent again for the same purpose, less than the six-month period in the European Commission’s Digital Omnibus proposal of November 19, 2025.

  3. AMZ123 Cross-Border Headlines43

    Canadian corporate tax filings: Federal and provincial taxes must be filed separately; failing to file provincial taxes in Quebec or Alberta incurs a penalty of 5% of the tax owing plus 1% per month

    In addition to filing a federal T2 return, corporations with a permanent establishment in Quebec or Alberta generally also need to file a separate provincial tax return with the provincial tax authority. Alberta uses the AT1 form, and this filing step is often overlooked. The general federal late-filing penalty is 5% of the tax owing plus 1% for each full month late, up to 12 months. If the CRA previously sent a demand to file and a penalty was assessed in any of the previous three years, the penalty increases to 10% plus 2% for each month, up to 20 months. Penalties and interest in Quebec and Alberta are governed by each province’s own tax authority rules; the federal standard cannot be applied.

  4. Analytics Insight AI and Technology News47

    Can the EU AI Act Rein In Uncontrolled AI? Brussels Defends Its Regulatory Framework

    European Commission Executive Vice-President Henna Virkkunen stated that the EU’s existing AI regulations are sufficient to address the risks posed by increasingly powerful AI systems. In late August, the European Commission sent information requests to more than 30 AI companies, asking them to explain their safety and security measures. Subsequent inquiries covered transparency and copyright obligations, and companies in breach could face fines of up to 7% of their global annual turnover. Recommendations from a 60-member scientific panel will also be incorporated into the assessment process.

  5. PPC Land advertising and platform updates42

    An explanation of the EU trilogue: digital legislation for the advertising industry finalized in closed-door negotiations

    An EU trilogue is an informal, closed-door negotiation among representatives of the European Parliament, the Council of the European Union, and the European Commission to finalize the wording of EU laws. Digital legislation related to advertising, including the GDPR and the AI Act, is finalized through this process.

  6. PPC Land advertising and platform updates37

    Explaining Coreper: How the EU Committee of Permanent Representatives Decides on Advertising and AI Rules

    Coreper is the EU Committee of Permanent Representatives, where ambassadors from each member state prepare all decisions of the Council of the European Union in Brussels. It has two configurations, Coreper II and Coreper I, and in practice finalizes about half of the Council’s EU legislation, including rules governing advertising cookies, consent, targeting, and AI in Europe. Coreper ambassadors approved the final text of the Digital Services Act on June 15, 2022, and the compromise text of the AI Act on February 2, 2024.

  7. PPC Land advertising and platform updates62

    Denmark proposes deepfake bill L 49, which would require publishers to prove consent starting in January 2027

    Danish Culture Minister Zenia Stampe introduced bill L 49 in Parliament on October 8, 2026, proposing amendments to the Copyright Act that would prohibit making realistic, digitally generated imitations of a natural person’s appearance, voice, or movements available to the public without consent, and place the burden of proving that consent had been obtained on the publisher.

  8. PPC Land advertising and platform updates80

    EU Council draft proposes reducing the interval for asking again after cookie consent is rejected from six months to four months

    A draft of the EU Council’s negotiating mandate for the Digital Omnibus proposes reducing the minimum interval for requesting consent again for the same purpose after a user rejects cookie consent from six months to four months. The draft also proposes exemptions for qualifying contextual ad displays and effectiveness measurement, but requires data to be pseudonymized after collection and prohibits its use for profiling, programmatic advertising, or processing data about users’ past and future activities. Users may be asked again sooner if the processing purpose changes or if the consent record becomes invalid for reasons beyond the user’s control, such as deleting cookies.

    Why selected:The draft distinguishes how data may be used for contextual ad measurement versus user tracking, offering a reference point for understanding when the consent exemption for ad measurement applies and how it differs from targeted advertising.

  9. PPC Land advertising and platform updates62

    German state of Saxony-Anhalt regulator issues GDPR data deletion guide, clarifying that the recycle bin does not count as deletion

    Saxony-Anhalt’s data protection commissioner published “GDPR Personal Data Deletion Policy: A Guide for Small Businesses,” an 18-page guide with 13 sections explaining how small businesses can establish a data deletion policy. The guide turns deletion obligations into an operational checklist covering records of processing activities, an inventory of storage locations, a sample deletion schedule with specific retention periods, DIN 66399 security levels for shredding, backup handling, and an eight-step process for deletion requests. It also makes clear that moving files to the operating system’s recycle bin does not meet deletion requirements.

10/9Fri
  1. UK HMRC Tax and Customs Announcements36

    UK HMRC: One Stop Shop Union scheme service availability and issue notices

    UK HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) has updated its service availability and issue notices for the One Stop Shop Union scheme, adding scheduled maintenance from 9:00 to 15:00 on Saturday, 17 October 2026. Users could still make payments during the earlier outage, from 17:00 on 25 September 2026 to 9:00 on 28 September. The notices continue to record OSS service outages and resolved filing and registration issues.

  2. Ecommerce News Europe, European e-commerce49

    EU plans third parcel tax: product surveillance fee for parcels from outside the EU

    The European Commission is planning a new fee on parcels from outside the EU, called the “Union Market Surveillance Fee,” to fund product inspections and market surveillance. The fee would be charged in addition to a €3 import tax and an upcoming €2 customs clearance fee. Under a leaked draft of the European Products Act, importers would generally be responsible for the fee, with lower rates for bulk imports than for individual parcels sent to consumers. The draft also provides for fines of up to 6% of global annual turnover.

  3. Around Prague: European Consumer and Platform Developments56

    EU countries approve ETS 2 amendments, aiming to stabilize the emissions allowance market

    EU finance ministers gave final approval at a meeting in Luxembourg to amendments to the ETS 2 emissions trading system, which will launch fully in 2028, one year later than originally planned. The amendments strengthen the Market Stability Reserve by automatically adjusting the number of allowances in circulation to balance supply and demand. The Council of the EU said this would help create a stable and predictable allowance market before the system launches. ETS 2 will cover road transport and building heating, and establish a Social Climate Fund to mitigate the impact on low-income households. The decision will enter into force on the twentieth day after its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.

  4. UK OPSS product safety alerts and recalls48

    UK OPSS warning: Pimple Popping Squishes toys containing needles sold on Wish

    The UK Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) has issued a product safety report about Pimple Popping Squishes toys sold through Wish. The toy is supplied with a sharp-tipped needle or syringe that could puncture the skin and cause injury, and does not comply with the requirements of the Toys (Safety) Regulations 2011. Wish has removed the item from sale. Consumers should stop using it immediately, place the needle in a puncture-resistant container and close the lid securely, keep it out of children’s reach, and then dispose of it safely according to local guidance. The notice number is 2610-0056.

  5. Cyprus News European business and economy40

    Cyprus submits bill to fully implement the EU minimum tax for multinationals from 2026

    The Cypriot parliament has received a bill proposing that the Qualified Domestic Minimum Top-up Tax (QDMTT) apply fully to large multinational groups from 2026, after the European Commission expressed dissatisfaction with the country’s 2024 law. This legislation, known as “Pillar Two,” sets a 15% minimum effective tax rate for multinational groups with annual revenues exceeding €750 million or large domestic group entities. The Finance Ministry said the domestic top-up tax would remain in place in 2025, with the fully coordinated qualified tax applying in 2026 to avoid retroactive tax liabilities.

  6. UK HMRC Tax and Customs Announcements57

    UK HMRC Publishes Draft CBAM Legal Effect Notices and Carbon Pricing Verification Table

    The UK’s HMRC has published draft notices on the legal effect of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), along with supporting documents. The two notices are the draft notice on administrative provisions and carbon price relief, published on July 14, and the draft notice on emissions and verification, published on September 9. They have not yet taken effect and are scheduled to come into force on January 1, 2027, covering administrative and technical matters relating to the tax.

  7. EUR-Lex Official Journal of the EU regulations52

    The EU registers PVA imports from the Sinopec Group to enable retroactive collection of anti-dumping duties

    On October 8, 2026, the European Commission adopted Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/2245, making imports subject to registration of certain polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) originating in China and produced by the Sinopec Group (Sinopec Chongqing SVW Chemical Co., Ltd. and Sinopec Great Wall Energy and Chemical (Ningxia) Co., Ltd.). The goods are covered by CN code ex 3905 30 00 (TARIC 3905 30 00 91). The registration expires nine months after the Regulation enters into force. Its purpose is to enable the retroactive collection of anti-dumping duties on registered imports if the conditions are met; whether duties will be imposed will be assessed at the end of the reopened investigation.

  8. EUR-Lex Official Journal of the EU regulations48

    EU Cyber Resilience Act, Regulation (EU) 2024/2847, corrigendum published

    The Official Journal of the European Union published a corrigendum to the Cyber Resilience Act, Regulation (EU) 2024/2847, concerning the definition of “distributor” in Article 3(17), point (c) of the third subparagraph of Article 14(7), and the titles of Articles 21 and 22. It changes “placing products on the EU market” to “making products with digital elements available on the EU market” and consistently replaces “manufacturer” with “producer.”

  9. AMZ123 Cross-Border Headlines26

    Extending a U.S. company tax return to October 15 with Form 7004: How do late-filing penalties for Forms 1120 and 5472 work?

    For U.S. calendar-year corporations that filed Form 7004 for an extension, the filing deadline for Form 1120 is October 15, and Form 7004 extends the filing deadline but not the time to pay taxes. Late Form 1120 filings are generally penalized 5% of the unpaid tax per month, up to 25%, with an additional 0.5% monthly penalty on unpaid taxes and interest accruing from April 15. Failure to file a required Form 5472 carries a $25,000 penalty per form; if the form is not filed within 90 days, an additional $25,000 penalty applies for every 30 days of continued noncompliance, with no limit.

  10. The Hindu BusinessLine Business & Technology42

    India’s GST Council Recommends Abolishing Tax Officials’ Power to Arrest and Raising the Prosecution Threshold

    India’s GST Council recommends completely abolishing GST officials’ power to arrest and raising the threshold for criminal prosecution from 10 million rupees to 50 million rupees. General fines would be reduced from 25,000 rupees to 10,000 rupees, minimum sentences would be eliminated, and penalties would be left to judicial discretion. The procedural reforms are scheduled to take effect on April 1, 2027, and are expected to take about a year to fully stabilize.

  11. The Hindu BusinessLine Business & Technology57

    India’s GST Council Recommends Allowing Exporters to Claim Refunds of GST on Machinery and Relaxing Four Export Criteria

    India’s GST Council recommends allowing exporters to claim refunds of GST paid on plant and machinery, with the refunds disbursed over five years, while removing the previous refund cap linked to domestic sales; exporters applying for refunds would also be eligible for GST refunds.

10/8Thu
  1. The Hindu BusinessLine Business & Technology41

    India’s GST Council approves an annual filing, quarterly payment scheme that small taxpayers with annual turnover of up to 5 million rupees can opt into

    India’s GST Council has approved in principle the optional Annual Return Quarterly Payment (ARQP) scheme. It applies to taxpayers with total turnover of no more than 5 million rupees in the previous financial year who supply only to unregistered individuals. An average of about 168,500 taxpayers per year are eligible, 99% of whom have turnover of no more than 5 million rupees.

  2. UK HMRC Tax and Customs Announcements45

    UK HMRC updates a notice related to the Customs (Import Duty) (EU Exit) Regulations 2018

    The UK’s HM Revenue and Customs has updated a notice related to the Customs (Import Duty) (EU Exit) Regulations 2018, revising the application process for approval of premises used to inspect goods declared for export. The revised application process was introduced earlier, on 8 July, and applications must be submitted electronically using a designated online form.

  3. The Hindu BusinessLine Business & Technology38

    GST Council Recommends Streamlining E-Way Bills and a Uniform Tax Rate on E-Commerce Delivery Charges

    India’s GST Council recommends amending the CGST Act so that vehicles carrying goods may be stopped only on the basis of specific intelligence and with authorization from a Joint Commissioner or above, while transit states may not stop them, to ensure the smooth movement of goods. E-commerce platform delivery charges would be taxed at a uniform rate of 5%, with no input tax credit; metro freight would be included in transport document requirements, and helicopter passenger travel would be included in the air travel exemption.

  4. The Hindu BusinessLine Business & Technology46

    India’s GST Council recommends removing restrictions on input tax credit for insurance purchased by businesses for employees

    India’s GST Council recommends easing several restrictions on blocked input tax credit (ITC). Businesses would be able to claim ITC on health and life insurance purchased for employees, while individuals would still be unable to claim it for insurance covering themselves and their families. ITC would also be allowed for food and drink, hotel rooms costing no more than ₹7,500 per night, and fitness services that businesses resell in the same line of business. Free drug samples and medicines that have expired and are destroyed as required by law would also be included. The motor vehicle ITC issue was referred to a committee of officials for further consideration.

  5. The Hindu BusinessLine Business & Technology51

    India’s GST Council Streamlines Refund Process, With 90% of Refunds Payable Within 13 Days

    India’s GST Council has approved several changes to the refund process, allowing businesses to receive 90% of eligible GST refunds within 13 days. The deadline for acknowledging refund applications has been shortened from 15 days to 10 days. If no acknowledgment or deficiency notice is issued by the deadline, the application will be deemed acknowledged. Based on risk assessment, the system will issue 90% of the refund within 3 working days, down from 7 days previously.

  6. France RappelConso domestic recall open data49

    France recalls JATRHG S1 7 kW electric vehicle charger: Type 2 connector lacks safety shutters

    France’s RappelConso has announced a recall of the JATRHG S1 electric vehicle charger (model S1_72_8M, 7 kW, single-phase, 32 A) because the Type 2 connector on its fixed cable lacks safety shutters, failing to comply with the French NF C 15-100 standard and posing a risk of electric shock. The product is distributed by Tamito SAS and sold throughout France. Its GTIN is 7079317191322. Consumers should contact the point of sale (phone 0184181000) to obtain a refund or replacement.

  7. EUR-Lex Official Journal of the EU regulations54

    The Council of the European Union adopts Implementing Regulation No 2026/2263, implementing restrictive measures against Russia.

    On 8 October 2026, the Council of the European Union adopted Implementing Regulation No 2026/2263, implementing the restrictive measures under Regulation No 269/2014 concerning actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine. The regulation was published in the Official Journal of the European Union under CELEX number 32026R2263.

  8. Belgium Fost Plus Packaging Update44

    One EPR organization brings higher recycling rates: What does Belgium’s model demonstrate?

    A study by EUROPEN, the European association, shows that recycling performance depends not on market structure but on the speed and cost efficiency of four decisions: eco-modulation of fees, nationwide coverage, sorting facilities, and financial transparency. In Belgium, Fost Plus serves as the single producer responsibility organization (PRO) for household packaging. The recycling rate for flexible plastic packaging reached 76%, compared with an EU average of just 13.1% over the same period; between 2020 and 2021, the share of plastic processed domestically rose from 9% to 75%.