Tanzania Gains Duty-Free Access to China’s Market Under New Zero-Tariff Policy

Tanzanian exporters have gained duty-free access to China on 100% of tariff lines from 1 May 2026, under a zero-tariff policy that now covers 53 of Africa’s 54 countries.

Eswatini is the only excluded nation due to its diplomatic recognition of Taiwan.

The first batch of Tanzanian honey has already cleared into China through the dedicated green channel for African agricultural exports.

Sesame, cashew nuts, avocados, coffee, tea, sisal, fish, and tropical fruits are positioned to benefit from the elimination of tariff costs and improved price competitiveness in the Chinese market.

Mineral exports, including gold, gemstones, and graphite, are also expected to expand under the new framework.

Supporting measures introduced alongside the tariff cuts include the green channel for African agricultural products, digitalization of rules of origin procedures, and mutual recognition of inspection and quarantine standards, all aimed at reducing customs clearance costs and time.

The policy covers agricultural products, minerals, light industry, and manufactured goods, and is structured around the China-Africa Economic Partnership for Shared Development.

For products under tariff quotas, only the in-quota tariff rate is reduced to zero, while the out-of-quota rate remains unchanged.

The measure extends an earlier framework that since 1 December 2024 had granted zero-tariff access only to 33 African Least Developed Countries (LDCs), and now adds 20 non-LDC African economies including Kenya, Egypt, Nigeria, and South Africa.

For the 20 non-LDC countries, zero tariffs apply as a preferential rate for two years, from 1 May 2026 to 30 April 2028, during which China intends to negotiate the China-Africa Economic Partnership for Shared Development agreement.

The policy was announced by Chinese President Xi Jinping in February 2026 during the 39th African Union Summit and formalized by the Customs Tariff Commission of the State Council on 28 April 2026.

China is the first major global economy to unilaterally grant full tariff exemption to all African countries with diplomatic ties.

Chinese Ambassador to Tanzania Chen Mingjian stated that the elimination of tariff costs significantly enhances the price competitiveness of Tanzanian specialty products in the Chinese market, with cashew processors in Mtwara, avocado growers in the Southern Highlands, and seaweed farmers along the coast among the expected beneficiaries.

African Union Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf described the initiative as particularly vital given Africa’s exposure to global economic uncertainties, while United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called on other developed economies to adopt similar measures.

Tanzania-China Trade

According to data from the Chinese Ministry of Commerce, bilateral trade between China and Tanzania reached USD 11.28 billion in 2025, up 27% year-on-year.

According to the Observatory of Economic Complexity (OEC), China was Tanzania’s fourth-largest export destination in 2024, accounting for 5.1% of total Tanzanian exports, behind South Africa (26.3%), India (18.8%), and the United Arab Emirates (7.2%).

According to the Bank of Tanzania (BoT), Tanzania’s total exports of goods and services reached USD 17.5 billion in the year ending November 2025, with gold exports rising 42.1% to USD 4.7 billion.

China has been Tanzania’s largest source of foreign direct investment in recent years, with active engagement across infrastructure, manufacturing, mining, and special economic zones.

The zero-tariff framework is aligned with China’s 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030), which prioritizes higher-standard opening up and the creation of a transparent and predictable institutional environment for trade and investment cooperation.