China implemented Zika virus inspection on import petchem cargoes 

According to market sources, starting 3 August 2016, the Chinese Custom Department has re-implemented Zika virus inspection process on all import petrochemical cargoes from United States, Mexico, Brazil, Thailand, Vietnam, and Philippines to the country. This has incurred in $5/ton addition cost which is included in the offer levels to buyers.  

A Shanghai based trader commented, “This compulsory cost has resulted in higher offer prices from suppliers in the listed countries; however, demand is very weak. Our customers are mostly adopting wait and see stance, claiming sufficient inventories and slow end product business.”