South African Apples first to ship under China’s Zero Tariff rollout. Tanzania’s honey and Rwandan Chilies next
Large number of high-quality agricultural products from Africa's least-developed countries, such as Beninese pineapples, Ethiopian coffee, Rwandan chili peppers, Tanzanian honey, and Malagasy mutton
Black News 
South African apples happen to be the first exports from the continent under the newly launched China Granted Zero Tariffs.
Honey from Tanzania and Rwandan chili peppers are soon to follow, alongside Ethiopian coffee.
South Africa has been the first country on the continent to ship consignments of exports to China following the China Granted Zero Tariffs which is applicable for African countries.
With the policy taking effect in May 2026, a 24-tonne shipment of apples from South Africa cleared customs in Shenzhen as the first batch to be exported there under the new terms.
The consignment of South African fruits is now flooding retail and wholesale markets.
It saw tariffs fall from 10 percent to zero, immediately improving its competitiveness.
But this should already be ‘Good news’ for exporters from 53 African states that have diplomatic relations with China: the world’s second-largest import market is now tariff-free for them.
After the implementation of the zero-tariff measures, a large number of high-quality agricultural products from Africa’s least-developed countries (LDCs), such as Beninese pineapples, Ethiopian coffee, Rwandan chili peppers, Tanzanian honey, and Malagasy mutton, will accelerate their alignment with China’s market demand, bringing greater development opportunities for African businesses.
China’s landmark zero-tariff policy officially took effect on May 1, 2026 making it the world’s first major economy to offer unilateral, full-coverage zero-tariff treatment to African countries with diplomatic ties.
Building on December 2024’s complete tariff elimination for 33 least-developed African nations, this expansion adds 20 more countries including South Africa, Nigeria and Egypt. China is Africa’s largest trading partner.
The policy systematically cuts entry costs for African products and boosts competitiveness while driving export diversification and job creation.
The move marks a major expansion of China’s trade policy toward Africa.
Previously, a high-level symposium, themed “Zero Tariffs, Infinite Opportunities,” co-hosted by the Chinese Embassy in Nairobi and Kenya’s Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, took place in the East African country.
At the same time, during the recently held 66th Zimbabwe International Trade Fair, China’s zero tariffs’ rollout for African countries became a buzzword in the event.
Effective from the first day of May, 2026, China began granting zero-tariff treatment to products from 53 African countries with which it has diplomatic ties, including Tanzania.
From the symposium in Nairobi to the discussions at the Zimbabwe trade fair, the enthusiasm from African businesses sends a clear message: What the zero-tariff policy will bring is not just a change in trade figures, but a strong and sustainable new driving force for Africa’s in-depth integration into the global industrial chain and the development of its manufacturing industry.
Beijing’s zero-tariff policy for African countries will significantly facilitate exports of African agricultural and resource-based products to China, further boosting bilateral trade.
