Starting May 1, 2026, China will implement a zero-tariff policy for all African countries that have established diplomatic relations with it. Multiple enterprises in Jiangxi province stated that this measure will not only help reduce import costs but also assist local businesses in further tapping into the African market. Sinotrans Jiangxi Company Limited has long been involved in importing goods such as cesium-rich pollucite ore and black tea from Africa. Zhou Ruijuan, a customs affairs manager at the company, mentioned that Kenya is rich in black tea resources. However, since Kenya was not previously included in the zero-tariff framework, a 15% tariff was imposed on black tea imports. As a result, companies preferred to import via landlocked countries like Uganda, which enjoyed zero-tariff benefits. Zhou noted that with Kenya now included in the zero-tariff arrangement, the tariff on black tea has been reduced to zero. Calculations show that importing black tea directly from Kenya, eliminating transit steps, significantly lowers both logistics and tariff costs for enterprises.
The zero-tariff policy also enhances the competitiveness of "Made in Jiangxi" products in African markets. Ma Jun, logistics manager of Jiangling Import and Export Co., Ltd., highlighted that the company's light trucks, pickup trucks, and SUVs are popular in Africa. In the first quarter of this year, exports to Africa exceeded 300 million yuan, with new markets such as Nigeria and Senegal being developed. Ma stated that the implementation of zero tariffs will further expand the company's presence in Africa.
Jiangxi and Africa maintain close economic and trade relations, with strong complementary strengths. Nanchang Customs stated on the 4th that African mineral and agricultural resources support Jiangxi's new materials and deep-processing industries. In turn, Jiangxi's engineering machinery, new energy products, electromechanical building materials, and specialty consumer goods align well with Africa's infrastructure development and daily needs. According to statistics, in the first quarter of this year, Jiangxi's total import and export value with African countries reached 7.85 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 68.7%. Imports accounted for 4.14 billion yuan, up 59.1%, while exports totaled 3.71 billion yuan, rising by 69.1%. Xiong Jie, head of the Tariff Department at Nanchang Customs, emphasized that the customs authority will help Jiangxi enterprises import high-quality African resources at lower costs, promote the export of the province's competitive production capacity and specialty products, and deepen economic and trade cooperation between Jiangxi and Africa.
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