？Zero-tariff policy

Starting May 1, 2026, China will implement a zero-tariff policy on 100% of tariff lines for imports from 53 African nations.This is the world's first full-coverage zero-tariff policy for African countries with diplomatic ties adopted by a major economy, marking a historic breakthrough in China-Africa economic and trade cooperation.

The zero-tariff policy will boost Africa’s industrialization and agricultural modernization and inject new impetus into the high-quality development of China-Africa economic and trade cooperation.The zero-tariff policy covering 100 percent of tariff lines for 53 African countries has three distinctive features.

A wealth of data fully shows that China-Africa trade has long been on a fast-growing track. The upcoming zero-tariff policy will further add strong impetus to this robust momentum.

In 2025, China-Africa trade reached $348.05 billion, up 17.7% year on year, hitting a record high.Of this total, China’s exports to Africa stood at $225.031 billion (+25.8%), and imports from Africa at $123.021 billion (+5.4%).

In the first quarter of 2026, China-Africa imports and exports amounted to 64.656 billion yuan, up 23.7% year on year, sustaining robust growth.During the same period, China’s exports of intermediate goods, capital goods and consumer goods to Africa rose by 23.3%, 43.5% and 25% respectively.

Long-term growth:China-Africa trade surged 27.5 times from 87.38 billion yuan in 2000 to 2.49 trillion yuan in 2025, representing an average annual growth rate of 14.3%.

Jonas Atindoui, an economic analyst from Ghana, pointed out that China's zero-tariff offer to 53 African countries, set to take effect on May 1, is a game-changer and an impetus to boost the development of strong agricultural, mining and industrial value chains.

In 2025, Kenya’s exports of coffee and tea to China reached $24.46 million, up 8.8% year on year, while exports of avocados and other products stood at $19.90 million.Previously, these agricultural products were subject to tariffs ranging from 6% to 25%, which will be eliminated entirely after May 1.

On April 10, South Africa signed supplementary quarantine requirements for citrus exports to China, shortening cold treatment duration and lowering temperature requirements.Coupled with zero tariffs, South African citrus exports to China will benefit from both tariff elimination and optimized quarantine measures.

Mashako Chengetai, Tanzanian Ambassador to China, described the policy as covering all product categories, with no quota limits and no political strings attached.Bilateral trade between China and Tanzania reached $11.28 billion in 2025, up 27% year on year, and the first batch of Tanzanian honey has been exported to China via a green channel.

Zimbabwean blueberry exporters hold high expectations for the zero-tariff policy, having signed export agreements with China as early as September 2025.During a business delegation organized by the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT), local Kenyan enterprises showed strong enthusiasm.A Chinese company signed an on-site procurement plan for 1,000 tons of coffee beans and established contacts with 10 local coffee enterprises.

It is not difficult to see from the positive responses of all sectors that this zero-tariff policy is no longer merely a unilateral opening-up measure by China, but has become an important opportunity for win-win results and common development between China and Africa.

The zero-tariff policy directly eliminates tariffs on African agricultural products, minerals and specialty goods entering China, enabling enterprises to enjoy more favorable procurement prices and more flexible end pricing. Especially for products such as coffee, tea, fruits, nuts and minerals, the original tariffs of 6%–25% are fully removed, simultaneously enhancing the competitiveness and profit margins of importing enterprises.

Africa is in a stage of rapid industrialization and urbanization, with strong demand for infrastructure, manufacturing and consumer goods. Data for the first quarter of 2026 show that China’s exports of capital goods to Africa rose by 43.5% and consumer goods by 25%. The zero-tariff policy will further boost African purchasing power and drive continued growth in exports of mechanical and electrical products, building materials, daily necessities, e-commerce parcels and other goods.

China-Africa trade has long faced a structural imbalance marked by “more exports, fewer imports”. With large quantities of African agricultural products entering China duty-free, two-way cargo volumes will become more balanced. This means improved efficiency in container repositioning and a further potential reduction in two-way logistics costs, directly benefiting Chinese exporters in terms of overseas shipping rates.

Starting May 1, with relevant policy details coming into force,early positioning is key to seizing opportunities, whether securing African supplies or planning exports to Africa.Safe and professional African maritime logistics services will safeguard and support your cross-border trade.

CHOICE Supply Chain Technology Co, Ltd . was establishedin 1997 and has 29 years of experience in Africa&Middle-east logistics. We have already established more than 10 wholly-owned branches in Africa&Midle East, namely Kenya, Rwanda, DRC, Cameroon, Nigeria, Ghana, Côte d'Ivoire，Tanzania， Saudi Arabia, Dubai. CHOICE can provide Groupage Service,Full Container Service,Overseas Warehouse Service for our customers. If you have freight transportation needs, welcome to contact us. Tel: 400-613-8844.