Countdown to zero tariffs on Africa 2026.05.01 53 countries fully implement zero tariffs, presenting new opportunities for cross-border logistics
Policy background
On February 14, 2026, as the 39th African Union Summit was held and China was celebrating the Lunar New Year of the Horse, China announced that it would fully implement zero-tariff measures for 53 African countries with which it has established diplomatic relations starting from May 1, 2026. This is the tariff facilitation measure with the greatest intensity and the widest coverage in China's cooperation with Africa.
The evolution process of policies
- Starting from December 1, 2024: China will grant zero-tariff treatment to 100% of the taxable items of products from all the least developed countries that have established diplomatic relations with China, including 33 African countries
- Starting from May 1, 2026: The zero-tariff policy will be further expanded to cover all 53 African countries with which it has established diplomatic relations
- Coverage: All taxable items of products, including African specialty agricultural products such as cocoa, coffee, and cashew nuts, as well as various industrial products
Trade data between China and Africa
According to the data released by the General Administration of Customs of China, China-Africa trade has maintained a strong growth momentum continuously:
Indicator: 2025 data: Year-on-year growth
The total trade volume between China and Africa was 348.052 billion US dollars, an increase of 17.7%
China's exports to Africa reached 225.031 billion US dollars, an increase of 25.8%
China's imports from Africa reached 123.021 billion US dollars, an increase of 5.4%
Important position
- China has remained Africa's largest trading partner for 16 consecutive years
- The trade volume has increased by more than 20 times compared with the beginning of the establishment of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation in 2000
- In 2025, the trade volume between China and Africa reached 2.49 trillion yuan, increasing by 18.4% year-on-year and setting a new historical record
☕ Key beneficiary products: African coffee
Ethiopian Coffee Case
Ethiopia is the birthplace of Arabica coffee and the largest producer of Arabica coffee in Africa. As one of the least developed countries in Africa, Ethiopia has already enjoyed the zero-tariff treatment for 100% of its products exported to China in advance.
Performance data
- China's imports from Ethiopia will surge in 2025
- The Chinese market has become the fourth largest importer of Ethiopian coffee
- Ethiopia produces approximately 600,000 tons of coffee annually
- There are approximately five million small-scale coffee growers
- More than 25 million people across the country are engaged in work related to coffee production, processing and sales
Enterprise feedback
Zero tariffs make our coffee highly competitive in the Chinese market. Since December 2024, the company's coffee product exports to China have increased significantly.
- Islar Deg, the executive president of Kachenshi, the largest coffee producer and exporter in Ethiopia
Enterprise connection achievements
From March 25th to 28th: The China Council for the Promotion of International Trade organized a delegation of entrepreneurs to visit South Africa
Main achievements
Kunshan Zhongka Agricultural Products Trading Co., LTD
Launch a purchase plan for 1,000 tons of Kenyan coffee beans
On-site connection with 10 coffee enterprises
Four companies have clearly stated that they will send samples and carry out in-depth cooperation
Two enterprises will visit Kunshan, Jiangsu Province
We conducted in-depth discussions with the Kenya Coffee Board and multiple departments on jointly building a coffee tasting center in Kenya, promoting coffee trade and industrial chain cooperation, and other matters
2. Chaji (Shanghai) Brand Development Co., LTD
We have communicated with five tea factories and established connections
The products are mainly black tea, with a few white tea and oolong tea products available
We will continue to follow up later
3. Beijing Haiyang Shunda Glass Co., LTD
It is planned to set up a representative office in South Africa
Reached an intention to cooperate on the export of building materials with local enterprises
We are currently promoting the progress of photovoltaic buildings in the African market
Opportunities and Challenges of Cross-border Logistics
Three major opportunities
The trade threshold has been significantly reduced
Zero tariffs will significantly enhance the market competitiveness of African products in China
Lower the landed prices of goods to create space for the production of high value-added products
2. Deep integration of the industrial chain
Promote deeper integration between China and Africa in supply chains and industrial chains
Let the Chinese people and the African people share the fruits of China-Africa economic cooperation
3. New Opportunities for Chinese Enterprises to go Global
Attract more Chinese enterprises to invest and start businesses in Africa
Promote the process of industrialization and agricultural modernization in Africa
Increase the added value of African resources and help Africa accelerate its integration into the international industrial and supply chains
Triple Challenges (in logistics)
Lu Cuifeng, the chairman of Shanghai Yingsijiade Supply Chain Management Co., LTD., pointed out that Chinese enterprises are facing three major pressures in the African supply chain:
1. Structural pressure: Lagging transportation infrastructure
2. Institutional pressure: Customs clearance and inspection in African countries are cumbersome
3. Security pressure: Factors such as resource nationalism
Facilitation measures for customs clearance
To enable more high-quality African products to smoothly enter the Chinese market, China has simultaneously upgraded the "green channel" for customs clearance at ports:
- ✅ optimize inspection and quarantine procedures
- ✅ simplification of origin certification
- ✅ upgrade of full-process warehousing and logistics services
- ✅ simplify the admission process
- ✅ reduce clearance time
- ✅ promote access of African products to China "expand categories, improve efficiency, reduce costs"
Enterprise strategic layout
From "Trade with Africa" to "Investment in Africa"
The full implementation of the zero-tariff policy is driving Chinese enterprises to transform from the traditional "trade with Africa" to a deeper level:
1. Investment in Africa: Establish production bases locally
2. Joint production: In-depth cooperation with African enterprises
3. Technology Transfer: Exporting Chinese technology and management experience
Business model innovation
Since there are zero tariffs on exports from Africa to China, Chinese enterprises can definitely regard Africa as part of their global production base. Collect raw materials locally, conduct primary processing with local labor force, and then export them to China or even third countries in Europe and America.
-- Business manager of a certain enterprise
International response
Evaluation of the African Union
The spokesperson of the African Union Commission, Nur, said:
China is a very important trading partner of Africa and the largest investor in Africa in infrastructure construction and other aspects. We very much welcome this measure and also hope that China's measures can encourage more African partners to follow suit.
Kenyan media evaluation
Several mainstream media outlets in Kenya have published articles stating:
- The zero-tariff policy not only opened the door for Kenya to one of the world's largest consumer markets
- It will also help the country usher in a brand-new era of trade growth and added value enhancement
- Agricultural products such as tea, coffee, nuts, oil crops and horticultural products will be the most direct beneficiaries of the policy
Key beneficiary industries
Industry category: Specific Product: Degree of benefit
Agricultural products: coffee, tea, cocoa, cashew nuts: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Gardening products: Flowers, fruits, vegetables: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Avocados, nuts, oil crops: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Textiles: Cotton textiles, leather products: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Processed foods: All kinds of deep-processed foods: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Light industry manufacturing: Daily necessities, handicrafts: ⭐⭐⭐
Future Outlook
Zhang Jianping, deputy director of the Academic Committee of the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation under the Ministry of Commerce, said:
The policy of non-zero tariffs is an important part of China's independent opening up and also an important part of China's institutional opening up. Highlighting China's status as a trading power and its willingness to share the vast Chinese market with African partners can not only bring orders and create more job opportunities for local enterprises, but also drive African countries to enhance their development levels.
Expected effect of the policy
1. Enhanced trade integration: Strengthening the integration of trade between China and Africa brings new opportunities to export enterprises
2. Market potential release: The African market has huge potential, and many local resources remain unexploited and unutilized
3. Localization and Rooting: Promoting the transformation of Chinese enterprises from "going global" to "taking root"
4. Win-win Development: Achieve mutual benefit and win-win results and common development for both China and Africa
Suggestions for cross-border logistics enterprises
Seize the opportunity
Focus on key product lines: coffee, tea, nuts, gardening products, etc
2. Layout the logistics network: Set up warehousing facilities at major ports and transportation hubs
3. Optimize customs clearance services: Be familiar with the customs clearance processes of various African countries and provide professional services
4. Develop multimodal transport: Integrate sea, air and land transport to provide comprehensive logistics solutions
Risk Prevention
1. Understand local regulations: Conduct in-depth research on trade policies and laws and regulations of various African countries
2. Establish cooperative relationships: Form strategic partnerships with local logistics enterprises
3. Purchase insurance: Buy adequate insurance for the transportation of goods
4. Diversified layout: Avoid excessive reliance on a single country or region
The data in this article is sourced from the General Administration of Customs of China, the Ministry of Commerce, Xinhua News Agency, Yicai Global, and International Business Daily
* Policy implementation date: May 1, 2026 *
* Coverage: All tariff items of products from 53 African countries with which we have established diplomatic relations. *
