As China continues to promote high-level opening-up and continuously unlock the potential of its super-large domestic demand market, China's import policies have entered a stage of intensive optimization and steady implementation, becoming an important driving force for global trade growth. According to data released by China Customs in January 2026, the total value of China's goods imports in 2025 reached 18.48 trillion yuan, with a year-on-year increase of 0.5%. China has maintained its position as the world's second-largest importer for 17 consecutive years, accounting for approximately 10% of the global import share.

Since 2026, a series of institutional opening-up measures have been rolled out, ranging from the official implementation of the "2026 Tariff Adjustment Plan" and the upcoming full implementation of the zero-tariff policy for 53 African countries, to the deepening of customs clearance facilitation reforms and the upgrading of cross-border e-commerce import policies. These measures have continuously reduced import costs, improved customs clearance efficiency, and expanded the scope of imported categories. For global freight forwarders, in-depth interpretation and accurate implementation of China's import policies are not only the core competitiveness in serving overseas shippers but also the key to seizing the incremental market of China's import trade.

This article will systematically analyze the core points of current China's import policies, standardize the use of professional terms in the freight forwarding industry, and combine the latest authoritative data to provide global freight forwarders with a full-process guide from policy interpretation and plan design to practical implementation, helping overseas shippers efficiently tap into China's domestic demand market.

I. What is the Core Framework of China's Import Policies and the Latest Adjustments in 2026?

China's import policies refer to a series of tariff, supervision, and facilitation measures formulated by the Chinese government to expand imports, optimize the trade structure, and promote high-quality development. Their core goal is to expand the supply of high-quality goods and services, meet the needs of domestic consumption and industrial upgrading, and advance high-level opening-up. As the first year of the "15th Five-Year Plan", China's import policies in 2026 are characterized by "structural tariff reduction, all-round facilitation, and tilt towards key areas", with policy dividends covering multiple dimensions such as science and technology, green development, people's livelihood, and regional cooperation.

1.1 2026 Tariff Policy: Structural Tariff Reduction for 935 Commodities

Starting from January 1, 2026, the Tariff Policy Commission of the State Council officially implemented the "2026 Tariff Adjustment Plan", imposing temporary import tariffs lower than the most-favored-nation (MFN) tariff on 935 commodities. It also optimized tariff item settings and continued preferential and free trade agreement (FTA) tariffs. This is the core tariff reduction measure in current China's import policies, with the total number of tariff items adjusted to 8,972.

• Core Tariff Reduction Areas: First, key components for advanced manufacturing, such as CNC hydraulic air cushions for presses and special-shaped composite contact strips, to reduce tariffs and support the development of new productive forces in China; second, green and low-carbon resource commodities, such as recycled black powder for lithium-ion batteries and unroasted pyrite, to support the green transformation of industries; third, people's livelihood and medical supplies, such as artificial blood vessels and infectious disease diagnostic kits, to meet the demand for high-quality life.

• Dynamic Policy Adjustment: At the same time, temporary import tariffs on commodities such as micro motors, printing machines, and sulfuric acid have been cancelled, and the MFN tariff has been restored. This reflects the principle of "adjusting with both reductions and increases and dynamic optimization" to guide resources toward high-value-added areas.

• Regional Tariff Preferences: China continues to implement 24 FTA tariffs with 34 trading partners, further reducing tariffs on some commodities originating from relevant countries; it also implements 100% tariff-free preferential tariffs for 43 least developed countries.

1.2 Zero Tariff for 53 African Countries in May 2026: Launch of the World's First Comprehensive Zero-Tariff Policy

On April 14, 2026, China Customs announced that starting from May 1, China will fully implement zero tariffs on all tariff items for 53 African countries with which it has diplomatic relations. This is the world's first comprehensive zero-tariff policy implemented by a major economy for African diplomatic partners, which will inject new momentum into China-Africa trade.

• Policy Upgrade Background: As early as December 2024, China took the lead in implementing a 100% zero-tariff pilot program for 33 least developed African countries. During the pilot period (December 2024 to March 2025), China's imports from least developed African countries reached 21.42 billion US dollars, a year-on-year increase of 15.2%, achieving remarkable pilot results.

• Supporting Facilitation Measures: China has simultaneously upgraded the "green channel" for African agricultural products exported to China, promoting the electronicization of certificates of origin, mutual recognition of inspection and quarantine standards, and simplifying transshipment document procedures. These measures further reduce the customs clearance costs and time for African products exported to China and improve customs clearance efficiency.

• Market Potential Data: According to data from China Customs in April 2026, China's imports and exports with Africa in the first quarter of 2026 reached 646.56 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 23.7%, significantly higher than the growth rate with major trading partners such as ASEAN and Latin America in the same period. Among them, Yiwu's imports and exports with Africa in January-February reached 35.41 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 84.7%, accounting for 20.4% of Yiwu's total imports and exports and making Africa Yiwu's largest import and export market.

1.3 Import Facilitation Policies: Accelerate Customs Clearance and Reduce Compliance Costs

In addition to tariff adjustments, China's import policies have continued to make efforts in the field of customs clearance facilitation. Through process simplification, supervision optimization, and digital upgrading, the efficiency of import trade has been greatly improved. This is an important starting point for global freight forwarders to help shippers reduce costs and increase efficiency, as well as a core measure for China to promote cross-border trade facilitation.

• Optimization of Two-Step Declaration Reform: Since May 2025, the customs has integrated the interfaces of "two-step declaration" and "one-time declaration, phased disposal". Enterprises can make two-step declarations within 14 days after the arrival of the means of transport. They can pick up the goods after the summary declaration and complete the tax payment after the full declaration, which greatly shortens the time the goods stay in the port and reduces relevant costs such as demurrage and warehousing fees.

• Full Coverage of Single Window: The International Trade "Single Window" enables the full-process online handling of customs declaration, inspection, tax payment, and certificate of origin application. In 2025, the declaration rate of imported goods through the Single Window reached 99.9%, which greatly improved declaration efficiency, reduced the circulation of paper documents, and lowered the error rate of manual operations.

• Import Preferences for Special Commodities: Starting from 2026, China will implement tax exemption for the import of seeds and breeding materials (2026-2030), tax exemption for key equipment for offshore oil exploration and development, and VAT refund after collection for natural gas imports. These policies cover key areas such as agriculture and energy, further expanding the import scale of relevant categories.

1.4 Cross-Border E-Commerce Import Policies: Increased Quotas and Expanded Categories

As a new form of foreign trade, cross-border e-commerce import is a key support area of China's import policies. In 2026, the policies will be further optimized to release greater consumption potential and help overseas small and medium-sized shippers expand China's online market.

• Adjustment of Transaction Quotas: The single transaction quota for cross-border e-commerce retail imports has been increased from 5,000 yuan to 8,000 yuan, and the annual transaction quota has been increased from 26,000 yuan to 40,000 yuan. Commodities within the quota enjoy zero tariff, and VAT and consumption tax are levied at 70%, reducing the tax burden on overseas shippers.

• Addition and Optimization of Categories: China has added the "cross-border e-commerce import drug pilot program", where specific drugs are subject to zero tariff, and VAT and consumption tax are levied at 70%. It has also added a preferential list for green and low-carbon commodities, and the VAT rate for new energy products and degradable materials that meet the standards has been reduced to 6%, in line with the domestic green consumption trend.

• Optimization of Return Policies: From 2026 to 2027, cross-border e-commerce exported goods (excluding food) that are returned to China in their original state within 6 months are exempt from import tariff, VAT, and consumption tax. This reduces the stock-up risk of shippers and enhances their enthusiasm to participate in China's cross-border e-commerce market.

II. How Can Global Freight Forwarders Design Service Plans Based on China's Import Policies?

Based on the latest China's import policies, global freight forwarders need to provide accurate, efficient, and compliant import logistics solutions for overseas shippers from three dimensions: "policy interpretation, plan customization, and full-chain services". The core is to convert policy dividends into actual cost savings and efficiency improvements for shippers, which also reflects the core service capabilities of the freight forwarding industry.

2.1 Step 1: Accurately Interpret Policies and Identify Shipper-Adapted Areas

Freight forwarders need to note that China's import policies cover a wide range of categories, regions, and detailed clauses. Blindly applying policies may lead to compliance risks or missed dividends. It is necessary to establish an accurate interpretation mechanism of "shipper needs - policy matching", which is the basic premise of serving overseas shippers.

• Commodity Dimension Screening: Assist shippers in accurately classifying HS codes (Customs Commodity Codes) and check against the "2026 Temporary Import Tariff Schedule" to confirm whether the commodities are eligible for tariff reduction benefits. For commodities with cancelled temporary tariffs, calculate cost changes in advance and optimize the supply chain layout to avoid losses to shippers due to cost fluctuations.

• Origin Dimension Matching: For African shippers, connect with the May zero-tariff policy in advance and assist in the electronicization of certificates of origin to ensure that the commodities meet the "fully obtained" or "substantial transformation" standards and smoothly enjoy zero-tariff benefits. For shippers from FTA partners, sort out the list of FTA tariffs and give priority to trade routes that enjoy preferences.

• Trade Model Adaptation: Distinguish between general trade, cross-border e-commerce (1210 bonded stock-up, 9610 direct purchase import), bonded logistics, and other models, and match corresponding policies. For example, cross-border e-commerce shippers can enjoy tax benefits within the quota, and the bonded model can realize "release first, tax later" to reduce the capital occupation pressure of shippers.

2.2 Step 2: Customize Logistics Plans to Maximize Policy Dividends

The recommended approach is to combine China's import policies with the actual needs of shippers to design customized plans of "tariff optimization + customs clearance facilitation + efficient links", with the core of cost reduction, speed increase, and compliance. This helps shippers fully enjoy policy dividends and improve market competitiveness.

• Tariff Optimization Plan: For commodities enjoying temporary tariffs, give priority to direct shipping to Chinese ports to avoid the invalidation of origin recognition due to transshipment, ensuring the smooth enjoyment of tariff reduction benefits. For African zero-tariff commodities, connect with China Customs' "green channel" in advance to simplify quarantine procedures and shorten customs clearance time. For FTA commodities, assist shippers in preparing complete certificates of origin to ensure the enjoyment of FTA tariffs and avoid the inability to enjoy benefits due to lack of documents.

• Customs Clearance Facilitation Plan: Promote the "two-step declaration" model, where goods can be picked up after summary declaration upon arrival at the port, and full declaration can be completed later to shorten the port stay time and reduce demurrage costs. Use the "Single Window" to realize full-process online operations, reduce paper documents, and improve declaration efficiency. For special commodities such as medical and energy products, handle tax reduction and exemption filing in advance to avoid customs clearance delays and ensure the timely delivery of goods.

• Cross-Border E-Commerce Special Plan: Assist shippers in choosing 1210 bonded stock-up or 9610 direct purchase import models to match the latest transaction quotas. Connect with China's cross-border e-commerce comprehensive pilot zones to enjoy benefits such as tax exemption without invoices and verified collection of income tax. Optimize the return logistics route and use the 6-month return tax exemption policy to reduce unsold risks and improve the capital turnover efficiency of shippers.

2.3 Step 3: Full-Chain Implementation Services to Ensure Policy Implementation

A common misunderstanding is only interpreting policies but ignoring implementation, leading to shippers being unable to truly enjoy the dividends. Global freight forwarders need to provide full-chain services from overseas cargo collection, international transportation, and Chinese customs clearance to domestic distribution, ensuring the smooth "last mile" of policy implementation. This is the core advantage of differentiated competition in the freight forwarding industry.

• Overseas Pre-Services: Assist shippers in sorting out customs declaration documents and applying for certificates of origin at the overseas place of origin to ensure that the documents are compliant and consistent in information. Check HS codes and commodity information (specifications, quantity, price) in advance to avoid document rejection due to inconsistent documents during Chinese customs clearance and reduce customs clearance delays.

• International Transportation Optimization: Combine key ports under China's import policies (such as Shanghai Port, Ningbo Zhoushan Port, Shenzhen Port, and Guangzhou Port) to choose direct shipping routes, reduce transshipment links, and lower the risk of cargo damage and delay. For African zero-tariff commodities, open direct shipping routes between Africa and China to improve transportation efficiency and shorten transportation cycles.

• Chinese Customs Clearance and Distribution: Establish a professional customs clearance team in China, familiar with the latest China's import policies and customs supervision requirements, with rich practical experience in customs clearance. Connect with domestic bonded warehouses and logistics parks to realize "customs clearance upon arrival, storage upon clearance, and distribution upon storage". Provide door-to-door (DDP/DDU) distribution services, covering first-tier, second-tier, and sinking markets in China to meet the diverse distribution needs of shippers.

III. Practical Guidelines for China's Import Policies for Overseas Shippers of Different Commodity Categories

China's import policies provide significantly different levels of support for different categories of commodities. Global freight forwarders need to provide differentiated practical plans for core categories such as scientific and technological components, green resources, consumer goods for people's livelihood, and African characteristic commodities, accurately matching policy dividends and improving the professionalism and pertinence of services.

3.1 Scientific and Technological Components and Advanced Materials: Enjoy Temporary Tariffs and Priority Customs Clearance

Policy Core: In 2026, low temporary tariffs will be implemented on key components such as CNC hydraulic air cushions for presses and special-shaped composite contact strips to support the development of new productive forces in China. Import customs clearance of such commodities can enjoy priority handling.

Freight Forwarder Practical Points:

• Assist shippers in accurately classifying HS codes to ensure that the commodities are within the scope of temporary tariff application, avoiding the inability to enjoy tariff reduction benefits due to incorrect code classification;

• Handle tax reduction and exemption filing in advance, apply the "two-step declaration" model, and quickly pick up the goods after arrival at the port to shorten the production supply chain cycle and meet the production time requirements of shippers;

• Connect with China's high-tech industrial parks to provide "door-to-factory" distribution services, optimize the transportation link, reduce cargo transshipment loss, and improve distribution efficiency.

3.2 Green and Low-Carbon Resource Commodities: Tariff Reduction + Facilitation to Support Industrial Transformation

Policy Core: Import tariffs on green resource commodities such as recycled black powder for lithium-ion batteries and unroasted pyrite are reduced, and customs clearance facilitation policies are enjoyed simultaneously to support the green transformation of domestic industries. The import demand for such commodities continues to grow.

Freight Forwarder Practical Points:

• Verify the environmental certification of commodities to ensure compliance with China's green import standards, avoiding customs clearance obstruction due to non-compliance with environmental protection requirements;

• Choose major coastal ports in China (such as Shanghai Port and Ningbo Zhoushan Port) to use the port's green logistics channel and enjoy benefits such as priority customs clearance and reduced warehousing fees;

• Provide multimodal transportation plans for bulk goods and container goods, combining the advantages of sea and land transportation to reduce transportation costs and improve transportation flexibility.

3.3 Consumer Goods for People's Livelihood and Medical Supplies: Tariff Reduction + Cross-Border E-Commerce Dividends

Policy Core: Tariffs on medical supplies such as artificial blood vessels and diagnostic kits are reduced; the quota for cross-border e-commerce retail imports is increased, and new drug pilot categories are added. The import demand for consumer goods for people's livelihood continues to be released, with huge market potential.

Freight Forwarder Practical Points:

• General Trade Model: Assist in handling import filing and inspection and quarantine certificates for medical supplies to ensure compliance with supervision requirements and enjoy temporary tariffs;

• Cross-Border E-Commerce Model: Recommend 9610 direct purchase or 1210 bonded models, using the 8,000-yuan single quota and 40,000-yuan annual quota to reduce tax costs;

• Connect with Chinese e-commerce platforms (such as Tmall Global and JD Global) to provide bonded warehouse stock-up + one-piece dropshipping services, helping shippers quickly expand China's online consumer market.

3.4 African Characteristic Commodities: May Zero Tariff + Green Channel with Great Potential

Policy Core: Starting from May 1, 2026, all tariff items from 53 African diplomatic countries will be subject to zero tariffs, with a supporting "green channel" for agricultural products. China-Africa trade has entered a stage of rapid development, and the import potential of African characteristic commodities to China is huge.

Freight Forwarder Practical Points:

• Assist African shippers in applying for electronic certificates of origin in advance to ensure that they can directly enjoy benefits after the zero-tariff policy is implemented, avoiding missed dividends due to lack of documents;

• Open direct shipping routes between Africa and China, giving priority to key import ports for African commodities such as Shanghai and Guangzhou to shorten the transportation cycle and reduce transportation costs;

• Connect with Chinese agricultural product wholesale markets and e-commerce platforms to help African agricultural products, minerals, and characteristic consumer goods quickly enter the Chinese market and increase shippers' sales volume.

IV. Compliance and Risk Prevention for Global Freight Forwarders in Implementing China's Import Policies

While releasing dividends, China's import policies also put forward higher requirements for compliance. Global freight forwarders need to establish a sound compliance system to avoid risks such as tariff recovery, customs clearance delays, and administrative penalties caused by policy misunderstanding and non-compliant documents. This is the premise for the sustainable development of the freight forwarding industry.

4.1 Core Compliance Points: Three Elements of Documents, Origin and Declaration

• Document Compliance: Ensure that the information in commercial contracts, commercial invoices, packing lists, bills of lading, and other documents is consistent, and that key information such as HS codes, commodity names, specifications and models, quantity, and price is accurate and correct. Special commodities (such as medical, food, and dangerous goods) need to provide corresponding supervision documents (such as import licenses and inspection and quarantine certificates) to ensure that the documents are complete and compliant.

• Origin Compliance: Strictly verify the certificate of origin to ensure that the commodities originate from countries/regions that enjoy preferential policies. African zero-tariff commodities need to meet the "fully obtained" or "substantial transformation" standards to avoid origin fraud, otherwise, they will face risks such as tariff recovery and administrative penalties.

• Declaration Compliance: Complete the declaration within the specified time limit in accordance with the "Regulations on the Administration of Customs Declaration of Imported and Exported Goods". For "two-step declaration", complete the full declaration on time to avoid demurrage. Truthfully declare the commodity price and quantity to avoid under-declaration or misdeclaration, otherwise, they will face customs inspection, fines, and other penalties.

4.2 Common Risks and Prevention Measures

Freight forwarders need to note that China's import policies are adjusted dynamically and frequently. Risk prevention should run through the entire service process, focusing on preventing the following three types of risks to protect the legitimate rights and interests of both shippers and themselves.

• Policy Misunderstanding Risk: Establish a real-time policy update mechanism, arrange special personnel to track the latest policies issued by the Tariff Policy Commission of the State Council and China Customs, and timely grasp the content of policy adjustments. Regularly organize team training, invite customs experts and senior industry insiders to explain policy points, ensuring that the team accurately interprets policy clauses and avoids service errors due to misunderstanding.

• Customs Clearance Delay Risk: Pre-review documents in advance, check the consistency between document information and the actual situation of commodities to avoid document rejection due to inconsistent documents. For key commodities and special commodities, communicate with China Customs in advance to understand supervision requirements and prepare relevant documents in advance. Cooperate with domestic customs brokers with good reputation and strong practical capabilities to improve customs clearance efficiency and reduce customs clearance delays.

• Tariff Recovery Risk: Assist shippers in retaining complete trade documents, certificates of origin, tax reduction and exemption filing documents, etc., for customs inspection. For commodities enjoying preferential tax rates, regularly review the matching degree between HS codes and policies to avoid tariff recovery due to incorrect code classification or policy adjustments. Truthfully inform shippers of policy changes and assist them in adjusting import plans in a timely manner.

V. Development Opportunities and Action Suggestions for Global Freight Forwarders Under China's Import Policies

At present, China's import policies are entering a period of intensive implementation, and the domestic demand market continues to release dividends. According to data from China Customs, the total value of China's foreign trade imports and exports in 2025 reached 45.47 trillion yuan, a record high, of which imports reached 18.48 trillion yuan, maintaining a year-on-year growth for 7 consecutive months. Global freight forwarders are facing three core development opportunities.

5.1 Three Core Development Opportunities for Global Freight Forwarders

• Import Trade Increment Brought by Policy Dividends: China's import growth rate is expected to further increase in 2026. Especially after the implementation of the African zero-tariff policy, imports of African commodities to China will achieve significant growth, bringing new business increments for global freight forwarders;

• Differentiated Service Capabilities Become Core Competitiveness: Freight forwarders that can accurately interpret and implement China's import policies and provide customized services will be distinguished from ordinary freight forwarders, seize market opportunities, and improve customer stickiness;

• New Markets Brought by Deepened Regional Cooperation: Measures such as the African zero-tariff policy and FTA upgrades have promoted the deepening of trade between China and regions such as Africa and ASEAN, providing opportunities for global freight forwarders to expand regional businesses.

5.2 Action Suggestions for Global Freight Forwarders

The recommended approach is: Global freight forwarders should take immediate action to layout from the following four aspects, seize the policy dividend window of China's import policies, improve their own competitiveness, and achieve sustained business growth.

• Establish a Special Team for China's Import Policies: Arrange special personnel to track, interpret, and implement the latest policies, provide professional policy consulting and plan design services for shippers, and ensure the accurate implementation of policy dividends;

• Optimize China's Import Logistics Network: Increase the frequency of routes to major Chinese ports, upgrade domestic customs clearance and distribution capabilities, focus on laying out direct shipping routes between Africa and China, improve transportation efficiency, and reduce transportation costs;

• Develop Policy-Oriented Products: Launch characteristic products such as "tariff optimization customs clearance package", "African zero-tariff special line", and "one-stop cross-border e-commerce import service" to accurately match shipper needs and improve service added value;

• Strengthen Shipper Policy Training: Regularly hold China's import policy interpretation meetings for overseas shippers, assist shippers in planning import businesses in advance, understand policy dividends and compliance requirements, and enhance shippers' willingness to cooperate.

Conclusion

China continues to expand high-level opening-up, and the systematic optimization of China's import policies has opened a broad door to the domestic demand market for global trading partners. According to data from China Customs, China's import scale in 2025 reached 18.48 trillion yuan, a record high, maintaining its position as the world's second-largest importer for 17 consecutive years, and the future import potential will continue to be released. For global freight forwarders, in-depth understanding and accurate implementation of China's import policies are not only the core responsibility of serving overseas shippers but also the key path to achieve their own business growth and enhance global competitiveness.

From tariff optimization to customs clearance facilitation, and from category adaptation to risk prevention and control, global freight forwarders need to take professional capabilities as a bridge to convert the dividends of China's import policies into actual benefits for overseas shippers. This helps global commodities enter the Chinese market efficiently, compliantly, and at low cost, allowing all parties to share the dividends of China's domestic demand growth.