The Tariff Commission of the State Council issued an announcement on April 28 that in order to expand high-level opening up to the outside world and promote the common development of China and Africa, in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Tariff Law of the People's Republic of China, from May 1, 2026 to April 30, 2028, Zero tariffs will be implemented in the form of preferential tax rates for 20 African countries that are not least developed countries that have established diplomatic relations with China. Among them, tariff quota products will only reduce the tariff rate within the quota to zero, and the tariff rate outside the quota will remain unchanged. During the two-year implementation period, China will continue to promote the negotiation and signing of economic partnership agreements for common development with relevant African countries.

For the 33 African least developed countries that have established diplomatic relations with China, China has implemented zero tariffs on their 100% tariff products starting from December 1, 2024. This time, the further implementation of zero tariffs on the remaining 20 African countries that have established diplomatic relations reflects China's positive attitude of expanding high-level opening up to the outside world. It will play an important role in strengthening China-Africa economic and trade cooperation ties and promoting the joint construction of an all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future in the new era.

Announcement of the Tariff Commission of the State Council on Implementing Zero Tariff Measures for African Countries Establishing Diplomatic Relations

Taxation Committee Announcement No. 5 of 2026

In order to expand high-level opening up to the outside world and promote the common development of China and Africa, in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Tariff Law of the People's Republic of China, from May 1, 2026 to April 30, 2028, zero tariffs will be implemented on 20 African countries that are not least developed countries that have established diplomatic relations with China. See the annex for the country list and relevant tax items and rates.& nbsp;

Annex: Country List and Tax Items and Tax Rates Table

Customs Tariff Commission of the State Council

April 28, 2026

China will fully implement zero-tariff measures on 53 African countries that have established diplomatic relations with China starting from May 1. The head of the World Trade Department of the Ministry of Commerce answered reporters 'questions on the relevant situation on April 29.

Starting from May 1, what are the specific contents of China's comprehensive zero-tariff measures against 53 African countries that have established diplomatic relations? What is its significance and impact? nbsp;

On February 14, 2026, President Xi Jinping announced in his congratulatory message to the African Union Summit that China will fully implement zero-tariff measures for 53 African countries that have established diplomatic relations starting from May 1, 2026, while continuing to promote the negotiation and signing of economic partnership for common development. Agreement. At present, 33 of the 53 African countries that have established diplomatic relations have enjoyed the zero tariffs granted by China to least developed countries in the form of preferential tax rates. The zero tariffs implemented on May 1 will be implemented in the form of preferential tax rates for 20 African countries that are not least developed countries, including Algeria, Botswana, Cape Verde, Cameroon, Congo (Brazzaville), Cote d'Ivoire, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Ghana, Kenya, Libya, Mauritius, Morocco, Namibia, Nigeria, Seychelles, South Africa, Tunisia, Zimbabwe, etc. The specific content has been released on the website of the Ministry of Finance. (Attached is the tax committee announcement linkhttp://gss.mof.gov.cn/gzdt/zhengceabu/202604/t20260428_3988616.htm)

As a result, China has implemented zero tariffs on all African countries that have established diplomatic relations. China has become the first major economy in the world to implement unilateral and comprehensive zero tariffs on all African countries that have established diplomatic relations and all least developed countries that have established diplomatic relations. This is a major measure taken by China to unswervingly expand high-level opening up to the outside world and actively expand independent opening up. It is an innovative measure to implement the outcomes of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation and build a solid all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future in the new era, setting a benchmark for global cooperation among developing countries. China's ultra-large market will bring unprecedented new opportunities to Africa's development and will surely inject strong impetus into China-Africa trade and investment cooperation and African economic modernization. nbsp;

What is the difference between the zero tariffs that will take effect on May 1 and the zero tariffs previously implemented on least developed countries? nbsp;

China adheres to the policy concept of authenticity, affinity and good faith towards Africa and the correct concept of justice and interests. Since 2005, China has been granting zero-tariff treatment to some products from least developed countries, including African countries. As China expands its level of opening up, the range of products enjoying this zero-tariff treatment has also continued to expand. Starting from December 1, 2024, China will grant zero-tariff treatment to all least developed countries that have diplomatic relations with China, including 33 African countries.

This round of zero-tariff measures implemented on May 1 is an innovative measure taken by China and African countries that are not least developed countries in the process of negotiating and signing economic partnership agreements for common development. It is an effective response to the difficulties of relevant African countries in completing negotiations with China in a short period of time. It is a phased and pilot arrangement. African countries still need to continue to advance agreement negotiations with China to ensure long-term, stable and institutionalized enjoyment of zero-tariff treatment.

Why do relevant African countries need to continue to negotiate and sign economic partnership agreements for common development with China after enjoying zero tariffs? nbsp;

At present, unilateralism and protectionism are popular. A wide range of developing countries, including African countries, face severe challenges. It is against this background that China has demonstrated its responsibility as a major country and taken the lead in reducing taxes, providing new development opportunities for Africa with China's ultra-large market, and helping relevant African countries cope with the current global economic turmoil. This is also a concrete action by China to implement the Global Governance Initiative and the Global Development Initiative.  African countries that have established diplomatic relations and China continue to promote the negotiation and signing of economic partnership agreements for common development, which is to realize the enjoyment and granting of benefits in a manner consistent with WTO rules and help establish long-term, stable and predictable institutional guarantees for China-Africa trade and investment. The agreement not only systematically solves the concerns of African countries that have established diplomatic relations on tariff issues, but also responds to their expectations in areas such as reducing non-tariff barriers, improving the level of trade facilitation, and attracting investment. It is a key step to deepen mutually beneficial cooperation between China and Africa and serve the joint construction of a new era of all-weather China-Africa A major measure for a community with a shared future.

What new opportunities will the full implementation of zero-tariff measures for 53 African countries that have established diplomatic relations bring to China-Africa economic and trade cooperation?

The first is to reduce costs and increase profits. Zero tariffs will reduce the cost of African products entering the China market and provide African products with competitive advantages in the China market. For example, the previous tariffs on cocoa in Cote d'Ivoire and Ghana were 8% to 22%, the tariffs on coffee and avocado in Kenya were 8% to 30% and 20% respectively, and the tariffs on citrus and red wine in South Africa were 12% and 14% to 20% respectively. After May 1, these products will enjoy zero tariffs on the premise of meeting relevant origin and inspection and quarantine requirements. Zero tariffs provide conditions for African products to expand exports to China, and will also effectively enrich the supply of the China market and provide consumers with more diversified new options. nbsp;

The second is the integration of trade and investment. Zero tariffs will help attract other trading partners, including China, to increase investment in Africa, bring capital, technology, equipment and management experience, and process African specialty products locally before exporting them to China. On the one hand, this will promote the formation and upgrading of Africa's industrial chain and assist Africa's industrialization and agricultural modernization process; on the other hand, it will also be conducive to the balanced and sustainable development of China-Africa trade, benefiting both China and Africa, sharing opportunities, and developing together. nbsp;

The third is economic upgrading. Zero tariffs will promote the diversification of Africa's export products, increase added value, optimize the export structure, benefit a large number of small and medium-sized farmers and small and micro enterprises, create new jobs, and improve people's livelihood. Zero tariffs will also promote cooperation between China and Africa in services trade, digital trade, green industry, sustainable development and other fields. It will greatly enhance Africa's independent development capabilities and help Africa accelerate its modernization process.

Source: Used Car Export, International Business Daily

[Disclaimer] The content of this website (including pictures and texts) originates from the Internet, and the copyright belongs to the original author. Respect the rights and interests of originality, and select content is only used for information sharing. If copyright disputes are involved, please contact us to handle them in a timely manner