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2025 tariff amendments in China: A comprehensive overview

Date of publication: January 25th, 2025

Introduction

China has announced significant amendments to its tariff structure for 2025. These changes, effective from January 1, 2025, aim to enhance the import of high-quality goods, support technological innovation, and promote sustainable development. The following provides an overview of the changes.

Key changes in the 2025 tariff amendments

  1. Provisional import tariff rates:
    Starting January 1, 2025, China will implement provisional import tariff rates on 935 items, which are lower than the most-favored-nation (MFN) tariffs. This move is designed to reduce costs for domestic industries and consumers Targeted changes focus on specific categories to achieve desired outcomes.
    Supporting technological innovation:
    Import tariffs will be reduced on items such as cycloolefin polymers, ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymers, automatic transmissions for special-purpose vehicles like fire trucks and repair vehicles.
    Improving livelihoods:
    Tariffs will be lowered on items like sodium zirconium cyclosilicate, viral vectors for CAR-T cancer therapy, and nickel-titanium alloy wires for surgical implants.
    Promoting green and low-carbon development:
    Tariffs will be reduced on ethane and certain recycled copper and aluminium materials. Additionally, the plan will increase import tariffs on some items like syrup, sugar-containing premixes, vinyl chloride, and battery separators, based on domestic industry development and supply-demand changes within China's WTO commitments.
  2. Tariff Reductions:
    Tariffs will be reduced on various products, including pharmaceutical raw materials, medical equipment, and certain high-tech components. This is expected to improve access to essential goods and foster innovation in key sectors.
  3. Support for green and low-carbon development:
    To promote environmental sustainability, China will lower tariffs on materials such as ethane and recycled copper and aluminium. These adjustments align with the country's commitment to green development and reducing carbon emissions.
  4. Zero-tariff treatment for least developed countries (LDCs):
    China will continue to offer zero-tariff treatment on 100% of tariff lines to 43 LDCs with which it has diplomatic relations. This policy aims to support the economic development of these countries and strengthen international trade relations.
  5. Tariff items adjustments:
     Notably, the plan for 2025 includes the addition of new domestic subheadings for pure electric passenger vehicles, canned king oyster mushrooms, spodumene, ethane, and others. It also optimizes the descriptions of tariff items such as coconut juice and manufactured feed additives. After these adjustments, the total number of tariff items will be 8,960. Additionally, new annotations for domestic subheadings like dried seaweed, carbon additives, and injection molding machines have been added, and the descriptions for domestic subheadings like baijiu (Chinese liquor), wood-based activated carbon, and thermal print heads have been optimized.
Industry wise HS code deleted and added
The above graph shows, there were major classification changes in Chemical industries with addition of 175 new HS codes and deletion of 732 HS codes. In total there were 438 new HS codes added, and 1528 HS codes removed to accommodate classification changes in different industrial goods.6. China Maldives FTAChina-Maldives Free Trade Agreement (FTA) took effect on January 1, 2025. This agreement allows China to benefit from zero tariffs on most of its industrial exports to the Maldives and eliminates tariffs on over 95% of products traded between the two nations enhancing market access for Chinese goods.

Conclusion

China's 2025 tariff amendments reflect a strategic approach to enhancing trade policies, supporting technological advancement, and promoting sustainable development. These changes are poised to benefit domestic industries, consumers, and international trade partners, contributing to a more dynamic and resilient global economy.
Recognizing the importance of these updates for our clients, we have already made them available on ONESOURCE Global Trade Content. Clients can check new tariff lines, amended duty rates, SDE and CIQ under the product “Customs Import and Export Tariff of China”.
For more information on how ONESOURCE Global Trade Solutions can assist you in adopting our Global Trade Content, contact your Account Manager or Client Services Manager.