On May 1st, China’s foreign trade field received double major benefits: the full implementation of zero-tariff measures for 53 African countries that have diplomatic relations with China officially came into effect, and the third phase of the 139th Canton Fair opened simultaneously. The two major events formed a strong synergy, releasing a clear signal of the strong demand for Chinese manufacturing overseas. Cross-border e-commerce, foreign trade exports and other tracks directly benefited, and China-Africa economic and trade cooperation ushered in a new stage of development.
With the implementation of the zero-tariff policy, China-Africa trade has ushered in a historic breakthrough.
On February 14, 2026, China announced that it would fully implement zero-tariff measures with 53 African countries that have diplomatic relations with it from May 1, and at the same time continue to promote the negotiation and signing of an economic partnership agreement for common development.
This major move marks a new level of trade facilitation between China and Africa and is a concrete manifestation of China’s unswerving expansion of high-level opening up and active expansion of independent opening up.
The zero-tariff policy covers a wide range and strength, covering not only traditional agricultural products and mineral resources, but also all categories of commodities such as industrial manufactured products.
For African countries, this means that the cost of entering the Chinese market for specialty products such as South African red wine, Kenyan avocados, and Cote d’Ivoire cocoa has been significantly reduced, and their competitiveness has been significantly improved. For Chinese companies, machinery and equipment, building materials, home furnishings, textiles and clothing and other products exported to Africa will completely bid farewell to the 8%-30% tariff cost, forming an absolute advantage in price, directly crushing local small factories and European and American competing products.
The relevant person in charge of the General Administration of Customs said that through a series of measures to facilitate customs clearance, customs across the country will actively carry out trade facilitation cooperation and capacity building with the 53 African countries that have diplomatic relations with China, further accelerating the export of African products to China, and also opening up a “green channel” for Chinese goods to be exported to Africa. Customs clearance efficiency will be greatly improved, and the processing of certificates of origin will be more convenient.
The third phase of the Canton Fair has launched simultaneously, and the demand for Chinese manufacturing overseas is booming.
As the “barometer” and “wind vane” of China’s foreign trade, the third phase of the 139th Canton Fair was held at the Pazhou Complex in Guangzhou from May 1 to 5. With the theme of “Better Life”, it covered five major sectors: fashion, home textiles, toys and maternity and infants, stationery, and health and leisure. There were more than 12,000 exhibitors, and a new functional and technological fabrics area was set up to build an efficient trade docking platform for global merchants.
At the Canton Fair, African businessmen can be seen everywhere, becoming a highlight of this exhibition.
After visiting the Tianjiang Carpet booth, Cameroonian merchants directly finalized orders, ushering in a good start for the company’s overseas journey; many home textile companies said that in addition to traditional Middle Eastern merchants, there was a significant increase in the number of African purchasers who came to consult, with strong order intentions.
Exhibitors generally reported that the implementation of the zero-tariff policy gave them more confidence when negotiating with African customers.
A person in charge of a Guangdong shoe company said: “In the past, shoes exported to Africa had to pay 15% tariff. Now with zero tariff, we can pass this part of the profit to customers while maintaining reasonable profits. The order volume is expected to increase by more than 30%.”
The dual support of the zero-tariff policy and the Canton Fair has brought unprecedented opportunities to cross-border e-commerce and foreign trade exports, becoming the biggest beneficiary of the policy dividend.
In terms of cross-border e-commerce, costs have dropped sharply, logistics has accelerated, and the market has expanded.
Cross-border e-commerce companies have taken advantage of policies to actively expand into the African market.
For example, platforms such as Cross-Border Express have introduced African specialty products and zero-tariff policies to reduce procurement costs and improve logistics efficiency to promote sales growth.
At the same time, Chinese cross-border e-commerce companies are also accelerating the sale of Chinese-made electronic products, household products, maternal and infant products, etc. to Africa to meet local consumers’ demand for high-quality goods.
In terms of foreign trade exports, orders have surged, structure has been optimized, and competitiveness has improved.
Traditional foreign trade companies have also gained a lot.
The cost of exporting to Africa in industries such as engineering machinery, building materials, textiles and clothing has been significantly reduced, and order volumes have increased significantly.
Taking construction machinery as an example, the price competitiveness of excavators, loaders and other products in the African market will be further enhanced, and market share is expected to expand.
In addition, the zero-tariff policy also promotes the optimization of China-Africa trade structure, drives the development of related industrial chains, and stimulates the development of new business formats in Africa.
China’s comprehensive implementation of zero-tariff measures for African countries that have diplomatic relations with it is a golden business card for China-Africa cooperation in the new era and an important manifestation of China’s initiative to expand opening-up.
From the implementation of preferential zero tariffs on imported goods of 190 tax items from 25 African countries in 2005, to providing zero tariffs on 100% tax items of products from all least developed countries that have diplomatic relations with China, including 33 African countries, in December 2024, and now to the full implementation of zero tariffs for 53 African countries that have diplomatic relations with China, China’s door to Africa is opening wider and wider, and China-Africa economic and trade cooperation continues to reach new heights.
Youssef, Chairman of the African Union Commission, said that China’s comprehensive implementation of zero-tariff measures for 53 African countries that have diplomatic relations with Africa is a “stimulant” to promote Africa’s development. It will open up new space for the development of the African continent and help Africa achieve economic transformation and sustainable development.
This May Day, the perfect encounter between the zero-tariff policy and the third phase of the Canton Fair has injected strong impetus into China’s manufacturing overseas, and cross-border e-commerce and foreign trade export companies have ushered in unprecedented development opportunities.
As China-Africa economic and trade cooperation continues to deepen, a closer, mutually beneficial and win-win China-Africa community with a shared future is accelerating to form, contributing China’s strength to global trade growth and economic development.
