China's Ministry of Finance and the Customs Tariff Commission released a 2026 tariff adjustment plan set to take effect on January 1, 2026. The plan revises import provisional tariffs and adjusts tariff classifications. It also continues the application of agreement and preferential rates, covering a total of 8,972 tariff items.
Supporting tech and industrial growth
The new plan applies provisional import tariffs lower than the most-favored-nation (MFN) rates to 935 items. The adjustments aim to support domestic technological development and industrial modernization. They will also reduce costs for critical manufacturing components such as CNC hydraulic cushions for presses and shaped composite joint belts. This facilitates access to advanced materials.
Import duties on certain resource products will be reduced to support a greener economic transition. These include recycled black powder for lithium-ion batteries and unroasted pyrite. Additionally, tariffs on selected medical products will be lowered to enhance public health infrastructure. Examples include artificial blood vessels and diagnostic kits for certain infectious diseases.
Aligning with trade commitments
The plan cancels provisional tariffs on micro-motors, printing machines, and sulfuric acid. This aligns with China's World Trade Organization commitments, returning these items to MFN rates.
New tariff subcategories have been introduced for emerging technologies and sustainable products. These include intelligent bionic robots, bio-aviation kerosene, and under-forest ginseng. The changes support technological innovation, the circular economy, and forestry development.
Maintaining preferential trade terms
China will maintain preferential rates for imports from 34 trade partners under 24 free trade agreements. The country will continue to impose zero tariffs on 100% of items from 43 least-developed countries with diplomatic ties. Special preferential rates will also apply to selected imports from Bangladesh, Laos, Cambodia, and Myanmar under regional trade agreements.
Industry perspective
According to the China Internet Information Center, Gao Lingyun of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences noted that lowering import duties on components such as CNC hydraulic cushions and composite joint belts may help accelerate the smart transformation of China's manufacturing sector.
Article edited by Jerry Chen
