China Implements Zero Tariffs for 53 African Countries Starting May 1; 2-Year Limit for 20 Nations
Chinese President Xi Jinping's plan to implement zero tariffs for 53 African nations will begin on May 1. Among them, 20 non-LDC nations will receive zero tariffs via "preferential rates" for a limited two-year period, while Eswatini remains excluded.
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- 📰 Published: April 28, 2026 at 22:17
- 🔍 Collected: April 28, 2026 at 22:31 (14 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 28, 2026 at 22:34 (2 min after Collected)
BEIJING, April 28 (CNA) — Chinese President Xi Jinping announced in February that China would implement zero tariffs for 53 African nations with diplomatic ties starting May 1 this year. The Customs Tariff Commission of the State Council announced today that among these countries, 20 nations not classified as "Least Developed Countries" (LDCs) will receive zero tariffs under "preferential tax rates" for a period of only two years.
According to the announcement, the two-year period for these 20 countries will run from May 1, 2026, to April 30, 2028. Furthermore, for agricultural-heavy tariff-quota products sold to China by these countries, the rates for products outside the quotas will remain unchanged.
The Customs Tariff Commission described this move as an "innovative measure" and a "phased arrangement." During this two-year implementation period, China will continue to push for the signing of "Common Development Economic Partnership Agreements" with the relevant African nations.
The commission added that for the remaining 33 LDCs in Africa with diplomatic ties, China had already implemented 100% zero tariffs on all products starting December 1, 2024.
The Commission claimed that this expansion of zero tariffs to the remaining 20 African nations demonstrates China's "active posture in expanding high-level opening up."
In a congratulatory message to the African Union Summit on February 14, Xi Jinping announced the May 1 start date for the zero-tariff initiative for 53 countries. Notably, Eswatini, a diplomatic ally of Taiwan, is the only African nation excluded from this measure.
According to the announcement, the two-year period for these 20 countries will run from May 1, 2026, to April 30, 2028. Furthermore, for agricultural-heavy tariff-quota products sold to China by these countries, the rates for products outside the quotas will remain unchanged.
The Customs Tariff Commission described this move as an "innovative measure" and a "phased arrangement." During this two-year implementation period, China will continue to push for the signing of "Common Development Economic Partnership Agreements" with the relevant African nations.
The commission added that for the remaining 33 LDCs in Africa with diplomatic ties, China had already implemented 100% zero tariffs on all products starting December 1, 2024.
The Commission claimed that this expansion of zero tariffs to the remaining 20 African nations demonstrates China's "active posture in expanding high-level opening up."
In a congratulatory message to the African Union Summit on February 14, Xi Jinping announced the May 1 start date for the zero-tariff initiative for 53 countries. Notably, Eswatini, a diplomatic ally of Taiwan, is the only African nation excluded from this measure.