On the morning of August 11, the live stream of "Customs Policy Direct Train" focused on the theme of "Zero Tariffs for Africa, New Benefits for Enterprises". Shenzhen Customs delivered an in-depth interpretation covering three key points: the core content of the measures, the application of rules of origin, and the operational procedures for enjoying preferential treatment. The total viewership across platforms including the WeChat Channel, Weibo, Douyin and Kuaishou of "Customs Release" reached 147,000.
I. Background of the zero-tariff initiative
Since the turn of the 21st century, China-Africa cooperation has continued to improve in quality. At every Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), China has rolled out new cooperation initiatives for Africa, and expanding market access has always stood as one of the core priorities.
In 2005, China introduced its first zero-tariff preference for Africa, applying zero tariffs to 194 tariff lines from 25 least developed countries in Africa. Following three rounds of expansion of the zero-tariff product coverage, 33 African least developed countries gained zero-tariff treatment for 100 percent of their tariff lines in 2024.
On 14 February 2026, President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory message to the 39th African Union Summit, announcing that China would fully implement zero-tariff treatment for 53 African countries with diplomatic relations starting on 1 May 2026, and continue to advance the negotiation and conclusion of economic partnership agreements for shared development.
Starting from 1 May this year, China has applied zero-tariff treatment to 20 African countries that have diplomatic ties with China but are not classified as least developed countries. This marks another major policy move following the nationwide rollout of zero-tariff treatment for all least developed countries on 1 December 2024. With this, China has become the world's first major economy to offer unilateral, full zero-tariff treatment to all African countries maintaining diplomatic relations with it and all diplomatically recognized least developed countries.
II. Core Content and Practical Recommendations for the Zero-Tariff Initiative
With the rollout of the full zero-tariff initiative for African countries having diplomatic relations with China, more high-quality African products are entering the Chinese market at an accelerated pace, riding on new opportunities for mutually beneficial opening-up between China and Africa, delivering tangible benefits to peoples of both sides. At 00:00 on May 1, the first batch of imported goods eligible for the full zero-tariff treatment for African diplomatic partners nationwide, 24 tonnes of fresh apples from South Africa, underwent rapid supervision and clearance by Shenzhen Customs. The import tariff rate on this consignment of apples was cut from the original 10% to 0, markedly boosting the cost competitiveness of the goods. As you can see, I am holding a certificate of origin issued by South Africa. Through preferential tariff declaration, the importing enterprise secured a tariff reduction of RMB 21,000 for fresh apples worth RMB 210,000. As the zero-tariff initiative continues to be scaled up, a growing number of enterprises are seizing opportunities to reap its benefits. To date, Shenzhen Customs has facilitated preferential import clearance of goods worth RMB 475 million originating from 20 African countries with diplomatic ties to China, delivering a cumulative tariff cost reduction of RMB 34.0115 million for enterprises.
Many enterprise representatives are keen to know what conditions apply and which products originating from the 20 African diplomatic partners exporting to China can qualify for zero-tariff treatment starting from May 1 this year. To help everyone fully leverage the benefits of this initiative, I will systematically outline its core provisions and unlock the preferential tariff incentives for businesses.
First, product coverage scope. Starting on May 1, China applies zero tariffs to the 20 African countries having diplomatic relations with China, covering commodities from Africa's competitive sectors including agriculture, mining, light industry, energy and chemical industry.
Second, applicable tariff rates. From May 1, 2026 to April 30, 2028, zero tariffs will be implemented in the form of preferential tariff rates for the following 20 African countries with diplomatic relations with China that are not classified as least developed countries: the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria, the Arab Republic of Egypt, the Republic of Botswana, the Republic of Equatorial Guinea, the Republic of Cape Verde, the Republic of the Congo, the Republic of Ghana, the Gabonese Republic, the Republic of Zimbabwe, the Republic of Cameroon, the Republic of Côte d'Ivoire, the Republic of Kenya, the State of Libya, the Republic of Mauritius, the Kingdom of Morocco, the Republic of Namibia, the Republic of South Africa, the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Republic of Seychelles and the Republic of Tunisia. For tariff-rate quota goods, only the in-quota tariff rate is reduced to zero, while the out-of-quota tariff rate remains unchanged.
To help enterprises fully capture the benefits of the zero-tariff initiative, we offer four practical recommendations:
1. Review import plans from Africa and verify whether the imported goods and their countries of origin fall within the scope of the initiative;
2. Check the tariff codes of imported goods in advance. A classification pre-ruling may be applied for from customs authorities to prevent loss of tariff preferences due to incorrect classification;
3. Communicate with African suppliers beforehand to clarify the requirements for issuing certificates of origin and confirm that the goods meet the origin criteria;
4. Take part in customs briefings proactively to get familiar with declaration specifications and preference procedures, seize opportunities brought by the initiative and optimize supply chain layout.