Starting May 1, China fully implemented a zero-tariff policy for 53 African countries with which it has diplomatic relations. According to the Changsha Customs Authority on June 3, during the first month of the implementation of the zero-tariff policy from May 1 to 31, Hunan imported goods worth 31.363 million CNY from these 53 African countries under the policy, enjoying a tariff reduction of 2.4275 million CNY.

The benefits of zero tariffs are now being spread across a wide range of import orders in Hunan. Changsha Kaiyafenxuan Agricultural Co., Ltd., a company within the China (Hunan) Pilot Free Trade Zone, recently imported 395.5 kilograms of black tea from Kenya, enjoying a 15% tariff concession with an estimated tariff reduction of 3,812.49 CNY. At the Chenglingji Port in Yueyang, Hunan Changkang (Chanacom) Industrial Group Co., Ltd. imported over 10 million CNY of sesame seeds from Togo, Africa, obtaining a tariff reduction of 1.022 million CNY. On May 28, 2.5 tonnes of live Kenyan golden crabs imported by Hunan Huanhai International Trade Co., Ltd. arrived at Changsha Huanghua International Airport, with the tariff rate reduced from 7% to zero, resulting in a tariff reduction of 18,000 CNY, allowing consumers to try new products at more affordable prices.

While implementing the zero-tariff policy, Changsha Customs Authority has also been advancing related supporting measures, upgrading the "green channel" for African agricultural products exported to China, and implementing instant review and priority inspection. The customs authority has also made good use of the "pre-assessment systems for African foodstuffs exported to China" pioneered by the province, and leveraged platforms such as the China-Africa Technical Measures to Trade Research and Evaluation Base and the China-Africa SPS Cooperation Information Website, both located in Hunan, to facilitate and support the high-quality development of Hunan-Africa trade.

The head of the Tariff Department of Changsha Customs Authority said that since the implementation of the zero-tariff policy, the import costs for many foreign trade enterprises in the province have decreased, driving an expansion in the scale of imports from Africa. Enterprises now have greater profit margins, which can not only enrich the variety of imported goods but also pass on benefits to consumers, forming a virtuous cycle from policy benefits to market efficiency.

This article is from Hunan Provincial Government. www.enghunan.gov.cn.  

Translator: Xiao Juan

Chinese source: hunan.gov.cn