Shenzhen handles first zero-tariff African shipment

A truck carrying 24 tons of South African apples arrived at the Shenzhen Bay Checkpoint on Friday, marking the first shipment to enter China under a landmark expansion of zero-tariff treatment to all 53 African nations with which China has diplomatic relations. The policy took effect May 1.

Customs officers inspect imported South African apples at the Shenzhen Bay Checkpoint on Friday. The apples were the first shipment to enter China under a landmark expansion of zero-tariff treatment to all 53 African nations with which China has diplomatic relations. Xinhua

Cleared swiftly by Shenzhen customs officers in the early hours of Friday, the apples are destined for supermarkets and wholesale markets across the country. Under the new policy, the tariff on South African apples has been cut from 10% to zero, sharply boosting their price competitiveness in the Chinese market.

“This is a real benefit,” said Luo Shengcong, general manager of Shenzhen Kin Shing Yip International Agent Co. Ltd., adding that the current batch of goods will yield tariff savings of about 20,000 yuan (roughly US$2,929).

Effective Dec. 1, 2024, China implemented zero-tariff treatment for the least developed countries that have established diplomatic relations with China, including 33 least-developed African countries.

The new zero-tariff move is another major step that will inject robust momentum into both China-Africa trade and investment cooperation and Africa’s development.

China has been Africa’s largest trading partner for 17 consecutive years, with bilateral trade hitting a record US$348 billion in 2025.

This year marks the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Africa.

Guo Xueyan, an official with the General Administration of Customs, noted that amid a wave of global trade protectionism, China’s enhancement of zero-tariff policies for African nations epitomizes the genuine essence of multilateralism. (Xinhua)