China Opens Wider Market for Zambian Exports

Zambian coffee exporters are among those set to benefit from wider access to the Chinese market as Beijing expands trade facilitation measures for African countries. Deputy Director General in the Department of International Cooperation at the General Administration of Customs of…

Zambian coffee exporters are among those set to benefit from wider access to the Chinese market as Beijing expands trade facilitation measures for African countries.

Deputy Director General in the Department of International Cooperation at the General Administration of Customs of China, GACC, ZHANG XIAOHUI, told African journalists in Beijing that Zambia is already among the countries permitted to export coffee beans to China, subject to meeting the required standards.

Mr. ZHANG said China is also implementing zero-tariff measures for 53 African countries with diplomatic ties to Beijing, creating further opportunities for businesses seeking to enter the Chinese market.

He said the policy is being supported by an upgraded Green Channel to speed up customs, inspection and quarantine procedures for qualifying African agricultural and food products.

Mr. ZHANG said Uganda, Zambia, Rwanda, Burundi and Tanzania are currently among the African countries whose coffee beans are permitted to enter China.

He said 10 other African countries have submitted applications for access to the Chinese coffee market.

Mr. ZHANG said China has also streamlined quarantine requirements for African agricultural products following risk assessments, with the aim of reducing unnecessary inspections and delays.

He said the approach has already enabled African-produced dried chillies to meet China’s overall quarantine requirements for entry into the market.

Mr. ZHANG said the measures are designed to increase the flow of African agricultural products into China while maintaining food safety and biosecurity standards.

He said zero-tariff treatment was extended to 33 African least developed countries in December 2024, while preferential tariff treatment for another 20 African countries began on 1 May 2026.

Mr. ZHANG said China Customs has established rules of origin and a certificate system to help eligible exporters access the tariff concessions.

According to China Customs figures cited by Mr. ZHANG, trade between China and Africa reached a record 348.81 billion US dollars in 2025.

He said bilateral trade rose further in the first half of 2026, reaching 203.65 billion US dollars, the highest figure recorded for the period.

Mr. ZHANG said China is also strengthening cooperation with African customs authorities through the Authorised Economic Operator, AEO, system, which is intended to make customs procedures easier for compliant businesses.

He said China has signed AEO mutual recognition agreements with Mauritius, Egypt, Nigeria, Morocco and Tunisia, while negotiations are continuing with Kenya, Ethiopia, Tanzania and Ghana.

Mr. ZHANG said China Customs provided training and assistance to 410 African customs officers through 24 programmes in 2025, covering areas including agricultural inspection, quarantine and customs procedures.

He also encouraged African companies to participate in the China International Import Expo in Shanghai in November and the China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo in Changsha next year.

Mr. ZHANG said the exhibitions will provide opportunities for African businesses to meet Chinese companies and explore new trade partnerships.