China dropped its tariffs and SA exports jumped 25%. How to qualify

South African exports to China rose nearly 25% to $5.3 billion between May and August, the first four months of Beijing's zero-tariff scheme for African countries, China's ambassador Wu Peng said in Pretoria on Thursday, citing SARS figures (Xinhua).

The duty-free window runs from 1 May 2026 to 30 April 2028, and exporters only get the benefit if they hold a SARS certificate of origin (SAnews).

What did China change?

China now lets almost all qualifying goods from African countries it has diplomatic ties with enter duty-free. The exception is 47 tariff lines that remain under tariff-rate quotas (SAnews). The scheme is one-sided: South Africa did not have to cut its own tariffs in return.

How much has trade grown?

Figures Wu gave for May to August, compared with a year earlier (Xinhua):

• Total trade between the two countries: nearly $15 billion, up almost 24%
• South African exports to China: $5.3 billion, up nearly 25%
• Imports from China: $9.47 billion, up 23%
• Agricultural exports: nearly $500 million, up more than 35%
• Non-mineral exports: up 21.8%

SARS issued 25,975 certificates of origin between 1 June and 31 August, and customs declarations rose 199% year on year, Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Parks Tau said (SAnews). Business Day points out that those counts show activity, not how much extra export revenue the scheme has actually created (Business Day).

The gap is still wide. In 2025 South Africa sold R222 billion of goods to China and bought R420 billion (SAnews).

Which products stand to gain?

Citrus, apples, stone fruit and wine are among the farm exports with room to grow (Business Day). Government has also drawn up a list of 100 value-added products to push in China, covering agro-processing, beverages, chemicals and pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, machinery, medical equipment, plastics and automotive parts (SAnews).

How do exporters qualify?

You need a certificate of origin from SARS, which is the only body that issues them for this scheme (SARS).

• Apply on form SC-RO-02-A02 (Application for Export Origin Certificates) at your Customs and Excise branch (SARS).
• Your goods must meet China's rules of origin and appear on its eligible tariff schedule. Some products carry quotas or extra conditions, so confirm eligibility with your buyer in China (SARS).
• On your export declaration, declare "CHN" in the additional information field (SARS).
• Queries go to [email protected] (SARS).

Missed out on earlier shipments?

You may still qualify. What counts is the date goods clear Chinese customs, not the date they left South Africa. Anything cleared on or after 1 May 2026 can get a certificate marked "ISSUED RETROSPECTIVELY", within one year of shipment, as long as it meets the origin rules (SARS).

What happens after April 2028?

The scheme is temporary. South Africa and China are negotiating an Early Harvest Agreement through the Southern African Customs Union, following a framework deal signed in February. Tau said the aim is to give exporters certainty beyond 2028 with safeguards for local industry and jobs (SAnews).