China Extends Zero Tariffs to 53 African Nations
Importers and exporters trading between China and Africa should recalculate landed costs as duty-free access expands.
Updated on Nov. 7, 2026 in International Trade
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China has expanded zero-tariff treatment to all 53 African countries with which it has diplomatic ties, a move that affects importers and exporters trading between China and Africa. The change was announced alongside the opening of the China-Africa Think Tanks Forum in Yiwu.
Why it matters
The policy was framed by Beijing as a response to rising unilateralism and trade protectionism, and it builds on tariff cuts already in place for least developed countries since December 2024. For operators, it lowers the landed cost of African-origin goods entering China and gives African suppliers a clearer route into the Chinese market.
The expansion covers 53 African countries, and 33 least developed countries have had tariffs scrapped on 100 percent of their tariff lines since Dec. 1, 2024. China's imports from African countries rose 21.6 percent year-on-year from May to September, according to the figures cited at the forum.
The players
China-Africa Think Tanks Forum
A bilateral forum of research institutions that convened in Yiwu to discuss China-Africa cooperation and modernization in the Global South.
Yiwu International Trade Market
A large wholesale commodities market in Zhejiang Province that is one of the world's major small-goods trading hubs and hosted visiting delegates from Kenya, Malawi, Zimbabwe and Rwanda.
The details
China is applying its existing tariff treatment more broadly, with zero duties on 100 percent of tariff lines for the least developed African economies and a two-year preferential zero-tariff rate for 20 non-LDC African countries. Beijing is also working to build African countries' capacity to process and manufacture goods that meet Chinese market requirements, which is the mechanism that would turn lower duties into export volume. The China-Africa Economic Partnership for Shared Development agreement is being pursued to make zero tariffs a long-term institutional arrangement.
Timeline
Dec. 1, 2024: tariffs scrapped on 100 percent of tariff lines for 33 African least developed countries took effect.
May: zero-tariff treatment was expanded to all 53 African countries with diplomatic ties to China.
May to September 2026: China's imports from African countries rose 21.6 percent year-on-year.
Friday, November 6, 2026: the China-Africa Think Tanks Forum opened in Yiwu, Zhejiang Province.
Market Landscape
China's zero-tariff expansion extends its least-developed-country tariff treatment from 33 African countries to all 53 with which it has diplomatic ties. The Chinese government presents the move as a counterweight to rising trade protectionism, and it positions the China-Africa Economic Partnership for Shared Development agreement as the mechanism to lock in these terms long term.
Importers of African-origin goods into China should review whether their products now qualify for zero-tariff treatment and recalculate landed costs accordingly. Exporters and sourcing teams with African suppliers should watch for capacity-building and market-access requirements tied to Chinese product standards.
The takeaway
The durable operating signal is the shift from temporary preferences toward an institutional tariff framework, which makes long-term sourcing from Africa into China more predictable. Operators should track whether the China-Africa Economic Partnership for Shared Development agreement is signed and how it defines the terms of zero-tariff treatment.
Further reading
For more on how tariff changes like this reshape cross-border sourcing, explore the International Trade section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Global Times 环球时报英文版.
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