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On December 17, 2024, China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM), and the General Administration of Customs (GACC) jointly issued the Notification on Optimized Regulatory Measures for Import and Export of Low-Concentration Triethanolamine Mixtures (2024), which aims to enhance the efficiency of managing monitored chemicals in import and export activities. The optimized regulatory measures will take effect on 1 January 2025 to replace the previous notification issued in January 2024.
According to the optimized regulatory measures, the import and export of the following products containing triethanolamine at low concentrations are exempted from obtaining the Monitored Chemical Import/Export Approval and Dual-use Items and Technologies Import/Export License:
Products such as non-medical disinfectants, synthetic detergent powder, cosmetics, and inks (as detailed in Exemption List 1), and
Products containing triethanolamine at concentrations below 10% (inclusive), such as lubricants, pigments, paints and varnishes, photoresists, etc. (as detailed in Exemption List 2). *Excluding triethanolamine aqueous solution.
The two exemption lists are available here, detailing product names and HS codes.
Notably, although exemptions apply to products in Exemption List 2, importers and exporters must accurately declare the specific percentage of triethanolamine contained in those listed products when filling in the customs declaration forms. Furthermore, exemptions do not apply to aqueous solutions of triethanolamine (regardless of concentration) and other products containing triethanolamine (not listed in the two exemption lists), thereby they must secure necessary approvals and licenses.
Background
Triethanolamine is a monitored chemical and dual-use item regulated under the Regulations on the Administration of Monitored Chemicals and the Catalogue of Dual-Use Items and Technologies Subject to Import and Export License Administration. It is commonly used as an organic compound in consumer products or a precursor chemical for producing chemical weapons. The Implementation Rules of Regulations on Administration of Monitored Chemicals stipulates that, when the controlled chemical's concentration in the product is below a certain threshold, the import and export license can be exempted.
According to the joint notification enacted in January 2024, exemptions apply to non-medical disinfectants, synthetic detergent powder, cosmetics, inks and other consumer products with low concentrations of triethanolamine (CL news). Building on the almost one-year implementation, to address the industry's confusion, the MIIT, MOFCOM, and GACC recently co-issued a new notification with two exemption lists attached to further clarify the exemption conditions and regulatory measures for products with low-concentration triethanolamine. This initiative aims to reduce the regulatory burden on businesses while ensuring the safe and compliant import and export of triethanolamine in China.
