Afghanistan: International Trade & Investment

The European Commission has issued its first-ever guidance document specifically addressing the VAT and customs status of privately owned pleasure boats and aircraft within the EU. This comprehensive guidance establishes a presumption of Union status for recreational craft, clarifies scenarios where temporary exits don't trigger loss of status, and outlines relief provisions for returned goods and temporary importation procedures for non-EU vessels.

The European Union's International Procurement Instrument has issued its first implementing measure, targeting Chinese medical device suppliers with total exclusion from EU public procurement contracts valued at €5 million or more. The Lyon Administrative Court's landmark ruling establishes that contracting authorities must conduct genuine diligence into bidders' commercial substance, even when registered in the EU, to determine their true origin and eligibility to participate in tenders.

The European Union's new foreign direct investment screening regulation introduces significant procedural improvements and standardised risk assessment criteria, while simultaneously expanding the scope of mandatory filings and eliminating preferential treatment for allied investors. Understanding how these changes will affect cross-border transactions and what steps dealmakers should take during the 18-month transition period is crucial for navigating the reformed regulatory landscape.