From May 1, 2026 to April 30, 2028, my country will implement zero tariffs on 20 African countries that are not least developed countries that have established diplomatic relations with China. In order to implement the rules of origin under this measure, the General Administration of Customs announced on April 28 the "Measures of the Customs of the People's Republic of China to Implement the Administration of Origin of Imported Goods under Zero Tariffs for 20 African Countries that Are Not Least Developed Countries that Have Diplomatic Relations with China"(hereinafter referred to as the "Management Measures").

Which countries can import goods from apply for zero tariffs?

The General Administration of Customs's interpretation of the management measures on April 29 showed that imported goods originating in the following 20 African countries can apply for zero tariffs starting from May 1: Algeria, Egypt, Botswana, Equatorial Guinea, Cape Verde, Congo (Brazzaville), Ghana, Gabon, Zimbabwe, Cameroon, Cote d'Ivoire, Kenya, Libya, Mauritius, Morocco, Namibia, South Africa, Nigeria, Seychelles, Tunisia (hereinafter referred to as "African countries with diplomatic relations").

For goods originating from the 33 African least developed countries that have established diplomatic relations with China, their origin is still managed in accordance with the provisions of the "Measures of the Customs of the People's Republic of China for the Administration of Origin of Imported Goods with Special Preferential Tariff Treatment for Least Developed Countries"(Order No. 231 of the General Administration of Customs).

How to judge whether goods from countries with diplomatic relations with Africa have origin qualifications?

Goods imported from relevant African countries with diplomatic relations can obtain origin qualification if they meet one of the following conditions specified in the Management Measures and those imported goods meet other provisions of the Management Measures:

Completely acquired or produced in the territory of an African country with diplomatic relations;

2. Produced within the territory of an African country with diplomatic relations only using the original materials specified in the management measures;

3. Although imported non-original materials are used for production in an African country with diplomatic relations, they comply with the product-specific Rules of Origin (PSR) and meet the standards specified in the PSR List;

4. Those that are not included in the PSR list and have a regional value component greater than or equal to 40%.

In addition to the above-mentioned standards of origin, the management measures also stipulate some supplementary rules, such as minute content, accumulation, minute processing or handling, interchangeable materials, neutral ingredients, packaging and containers, accessories, spare parts and tools, direct transportation, etc.

Can materials originating from countries with diplomatic relations with Africa be accumulated among each other under zero tariffs?

In the management method, the accumulation rule can be applied in the following two circumstances:

First, if China's original materials are used to produce another good in a country that has diplomatic relations with Africa, the materials can be regarded as the original materials of the country that has diplomatic relations with Africa. For example, if my country's original materials are exported to an African country with diplomatic relations and put into production as raw materials, then the original materials from China can be regarded as the cumulative calculation of the original materials from the African country with diplomatic relations.

Second, if the original materials of an African country that meet the requirements of the management measures are used for production in another African country that has established diplomatic relations, the original materials can be regarded as the original materials of another African country that has established diplomatic relations, provided that these African countries have established diplomatic relations with our country have signed and implemented free trade agreements (including early harvest arrangements). For example, Mauritius and Congo (Brazzaville) have both signed free trade agreements with our country. When Mauritius's original materials that meet the provisions of the management measures are put into the next production process in Congo (Brazzaville) as raw materials, they can be regarded as Congo (Brazzaville)'s original materials; when determining the origin of Congo (Brazzaville) goods, Mauritius's original materials can be accumulated.

Making full use of cumulative rules can lower the threshold for export goods to obtain origin qualifications, and promote industrial chain and supply chain cooperation between my country and African countries that have established diplomatic relations, and between African countries that have signed and implemented free trade agreements with my country.

How can companies apply for zero tariffs?

Enterprises shall comply with General Administration of Customs Announcement No. 34 of 2021 (Announcement on the requirements of filling specifications and declaration matters related to the origin column of import and export goods declarations under the Preferential Trade Agreement), choose the "paperless customs clearance" method or the "paperless customs declaration" method to declare, submit valid certificates of origin such as certificates of origin, commercial invoices, and documents for the entire transportation of goods, and fill in the "Benefit from Preferential Trade Agreement" category of commodity items in the declaration form as required. Among them, the code "30" should be filled in the "Preferential Trade Agreement Code" column.

The consignee of imported goods shall, within 3 years from the date the goods complete customs formalities, keep documents and records that can fully prove the origin qualification of the goods.

How can I apply for benefits if I fail to apply for the certificate of origin in time?

If an enterprise does not obtain a certificate of origin when applying for zero tariffs, it may make a supplementary declaration to the customs on whether the imported goods have the qualification of origin under zero tariffs before completing the customs procedures, and provide tax guarantees; the customs handles import procedures in accordance with regulations, except where guarantees are not allowed to be issued in accordance with laws and administrative regulations.

For the full text of the management method, please click the "link":http://www.customs.gov.cn/customs/2026-04/29/article_2026042908570039662.html

Source: International Business Daily

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