China will permit the import of coffee beans from African countries with diplomatic ties, under a zero-tariff policy set to come into effect on 20 July 2026, Chinese customs announced. This move follows the broader zero-tariff treatment granted to 53 African nations with diplomatic relations, which began on 1 May 2026.
To qualify for these imports, the exporting country must be an African nation with diplomatic ties to China. Production and processing enterprises are required to establish a traceability system, ensuring that coffee beans exported to China can be traced back to their planting areas.
Furthermore, the enterprises must be officially reviewed by their exporting country and registered with China’s General Administration of Customs (GAC). All goods must also be accompanied by a valid phytosanitary certificate, as stipulated in a notice published on the GAC’s official communication pages. Coffee beans from Ethiopia and Burundi have already secured quarantine access approval from China, the GAC confirmed.
According to the Ministry of Commerce, the zero-tariff treatment for 53 African countries, which commenced on 1 May 2026, will remain in effect for two years.
During this period, China aims to advance the signing of economic partnership agreements for shared development with relevant African nations, according to a statement from the Customs Tariff Commission of the State Council. This initiative builds on an earlier policy introduced on 1 December 2024, which granted zero-tariff treatment across all tariff lines to least-developed countries with diplomatic ties to China, including 33 African nations.
The May 2026 expansion represents a significant further step in that policy.
The impact of zero tariffs on trade growth has been evident. In 2025, China-Africa trade reached $348 billion, marking a 17.7 per cent year-on-year increase, according to GAC statistics. China has actively provided various platforms and international trade fairs to facilitate African exports entering its vast market.
Zhu Jing, Deputy General Manager at Shanghai’s Hongqiao Import Commodity Exhibition and Trade Centre (HIEC), recently indicated that Kenyan coffee bean companies have proactively responded to the zero-tariff policy, launching relevant products on the platform. The HIEC was established to capitalise on the benefits of the China International Import Expo.
Kenya was among the 20 newly added African countries to enjoy zero-tariff treatment from 1 May 2026. Previously, Kenyan coffee beans were imported to HIEC through bonded warehouse services.
The HIEC recently hosted a summit for Ethiopian coffee beans, bringing together importers and coffee shop representatives. Zhu noted that such events for African coffee beans are frequently organised to match importers with exporters.
A representative of a coffee importer based at the HIEC stated that, thanks to zero tariffs, the cost of a cup of Ethiopian coffee could be more than 20 per cent lower than coffee of similar quality from other regions.
