China opens coffee market to 53 African countries under new import, zero-tariff trade policy
China will allow eligible coffee bean imports from 53 African countries starting July 2026, expanding market access and strengthening agricultural trade ties with the continent.
AFRICA – China is set to allow eligible coffee beans from all 53 African countries with diplomatic ties to enter its market from July 20, 2026, in a move expected to strengthen agricultural trade and expand export opportunities for African coffee producers.
The General Administration of Customs (GAC) announced that coffee beans have become the second category of African agricultural products to receive full quarantine access to the Chinese market after dried chilies.
According to the GAC, African coffee-producing countries including Ethiopia and Burundi have already secured market access for their coffee bean exports to China.
Other countries, including Mauritius, Angola, Togo, Guinea, Liberia, and Sao Tome and Principe, have submitted export applications as interest in the Chinese market continues to grow.
The customs authority said the decision followed a comprehensive assessment of coffee production systems and pest control measures across African exporting countries.
“Following a holistic assessment of African coffee bean production systems and pest risk control frameworks, the GAC has rolled out unified phytosanitary requirements,” the agency stated.
The new framework eliminates the previous requirement for separate bilateral quarantine agreements with individual countries, significantly streamlining export approval procedures for African coffee exporters.
Industry officials clarified that full quarantine access does not remove inspection requirements at Chinese borders. All shipments entering China must still comply with the standards outlined under GAC Announcement No. 68 of 2026.
The GAC added that it would continue implementing upgraded green channel facilitation measures designed to accelerate the entry of high-quality African agricultural and food products into the Chinese market.
The latest development follows China’s broader zero-tariff treatment policy for 53 African countries with diplomatic relations, which officially took effect on May 1, 2026.
According to China’s Ministry of Commerce, the zero-tariff arrangement will remain effective for two years as part of wider efforts to strengthen economic cooperation between China and African nations.
The Customs Tariff Commission of the State Council said the initiative builds on an earlier policy introduced on December 1, 2024, which granted zero-tariff treatment across all tariff lines to least-developed countries maintaining diplomatic relations with China, including 33 African countries.
Trade data from the GAC showed that China-Africa trade reached US$348 billion in 2025, representing a 17.7% year-on-year increase.
Zhu Jing, Deputy General Manager at Shanghai’s Hongqiao Import Commodity Exhibition and Trade Centre, said Kenyan coffee companies had already responded positively to the policy changes.
“Kenyan coffee bean companies have proactively responded to the zero-tariff policy, launching relevant products on the platform,” Zhu said.
China has continued using trade fairs and import platforms to expand access for African agricultural exports into its domestic market.
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