The Tariff Commission of the State Council has issued a notice that 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 do not belong to the least developed countries and have diplomatic relations with China; Among them, tariff quota products only reduce the tariff rate within the quota to zero, while the tariff rate outside the quota remains unchanged. During the 2-year implementation period, China will continue to promote the 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 100% of their taxable products since December 1, 2024. The further implementation of zero tariffs on the remaining 20 African countries with diplomatic relations reflects China's positive attitude of expanding high-level opening-up to the outside world, and will play an important role in strengthening the economic and trade cooperation ties between China and Africa, and promoting the construction of an all-weather China Africa community with a shared future in the new era.Editor/Yang Meiling