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At exactly midnight, the first shipment of 24 tons of apples from South Africa crossed into China under a historic initiative, marking the expansion of zero-tariff treatment to all 53 African countries with which China maintains diplomatic ties. This new policy came into effect today.
The apples, quickly processed through customs in Shenzhen in the early morning hours, are headed to supermarkets and wholesale markets nationwide. Thanks to the tariff rate dropping from 10% to zero, these South African apples are now more price-competitive in the Chinese market.
“This is a significant benefit,” said the general manager of a major international trading company in Shenzhen, noting that the latest batch will save roughly 20,000 yuan (approximately USD 2,929) in tariffs.
Starting Dec. 1, 2024, China also implemented zero tariffs for the least developed countries with diplomatic relations, including 33 African nations classified as least-developed.
This move to eliminate tariffs represents a major step toward bolstering trade, investment, and development cooperation between China and Africa. China has been Africa’s leading trading partner for 17 years straight, with bilateral trade reaching a record-high of approximately USD 348 billion in 2025.
This year marks the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Africa. An official from the General Administration of Customs highlighted that, in the face of growing global trade protectionism, China’s expansion of zero-tariff policies for African nations exemplifies true multilateralism.
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