China to Implement Zero Tariffs on All African Countries with Diplomatic Relations

China will implement zero tariffs on all African countries with diplomatic relations starting May 1, 2026.

On April 28, the Customs Tariff Commission of the State Council of China issued an announcement stating that from May 1, 2026 to April 30, 2028, zero tariffs will be implemented on 20 African countries that have established diplomatic relations with China and are not among the least developed countries, under preferential tariff rates.

For products subject to tariff quotas, only the in-quota tariff rate will be reduced to zero; the out-of-quota tariff rate will remain unchanged. During the two-year implementation period, China will continue to promote the signing of agreements on economic partnerships for common development with relevant African countries.

For the 33 least developed African countries with diplomatic relations with China, China has already implemented zero tariffs on 100% of their tariff lines since December 1, 2024.

From May 1, 2026, China will become the first major economy in the world to unilaterally and comprehensively implement zero-tariff treatment on all African countries with which it has diplomatic relations and all least developed countries with which it has diplomatic relations.