Since 1 May 2026 China applies zero tariffs on 100% of tariff lines for 53 African countries. Goods that carried 8-30% duty now enter at zero. Here is who qualifies, what the two-year window means for non-LDC states, where tariff-rate quotas still bite, and how to reprice.
<p class="lead"><strong>Since 1 May 2026, China applies zero-tariff treatment to 100% of tariff lines for the 53 African countries with which it has diplomatic relations.</strong> Chinese government material cites goods that previously faced <strong>8% to 30%</strong> duty — cocoa from Côte d'Ivoire and Ghana, coffee and avocados from Kenya, citrus and wine from South Africa — now entering at zero. This is the single largest change in African market access in 2026, it is larger in tariff-line coverage than AGOA has ever been, and most African exporters have not yet repriced for it. Here is what actually qualifies and for how long.</p> <h2>Who qualifies, and since when</h2> <table> <thead><tr><th>Group</th><th>Countries</th><th>In force from</th><th>Coverage</th></tr></thead> <tbody> <tr><td>African LDCs with diplomatic ties to China</td><td>33</td><td>1 December 2024</td><td>100% of tariff lines</td></tr> <tr><td>Non-LDC African states with diplomatic ties</td><td>20 — incl. Kenya, Egypt, Nigeria, South Africa</td><td>1 May 2026</td><td>100% of tariff lines, as a preferential rate</td></tr> <tr><td>Total</td><td><strong>53</strong></td><td>—</td><td>—</td></tr> <