Announced on May 1 by the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (dtic) in a media statement and notified by the South African Revenue Service (SARS) on May 8, but not yet operational. That said, you now have time to prepare for it, and also to keep an eye out for a Government Gazette notice.

What is it all about? Do we know? SARS informed traders that China’s trade scheme officially came into effect on May 1, with some tariff lines subject to tariff-rate quotas.

SARS, in consultation with Chinese authorities, is in the process of finalising the legal framework required for the scheme and establishing the system to issue rules-of-origin (RoO) certificates. Once the necessary legislation is in place, certificates will be issued with retrospective effect from May 1.

SARS encourages traders who wish to participate in the China trade scheme to stay informed, prepare and contact it at rulesoforigin@sars.gov.za.

Preceding the notification was the dtic’s media statement welcoming China’s zero-tariff announcement regarding the introduction of a temporary zero-tariff preference scheme for 20 non-least-developed African countries, including South Africa. This follows China’s announcement on February 14 at the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) that it will implement zero tariffs on African countries with which it has diplomatic relations. Forty-five least-developed countries already enjoy zero-tariff access to the Chinese market.

From May 1 to April 30, 2028, qualifying South African goods exported to China will benefit from zero-tariff access (also known as customs duty-free access) under the scheme, subject to compliance with the applicable tariff schedule and the RoO provisions.

The dtic advises exporters that access to the zero tariffs is conditional on meeting the prescribed RoO, including product-specific requirements, and on submitting a valid certificate of origin (CoO) for customs clearance in China.

The dtic is working with SARS on customs procedures and the necessary legislative changes to be implemented, including those related to the issuance of the CoO. For products already in the water, if a CoO is not issued before or at the time of shipment, the importer will have to pay a deposit. After the importer submits the requested documents, the deposit can be refunded. The CoO shall be marked “issued retrospectively” and shall be valid for one year from the date of shipment.

While the zero tariff applies across a broad range of goods, certain goods may be subject to specific conditions, including tariff rate quotas. As a consequence, the dtic encourages exporters to familiarise themselves with the detailed tariff schedule and RoO documentation to ensure full compliance and optimal utilisation of the preferences.

This preferential market access framework offers a strategic opportunity for South Africa to enhance export competitiveness, diversify into higher-value-added products, and expand market access for agricultural, industrial and beneficiated goods. It also supports broader national objectives, including industrial development, employment creation and export-led growth. The dtic, in collaboration with relevant government departments and stakeholders, has initiated the necessary processes to facilitate the implementation of the preference scheme.

The dtic’s Export Help Desk, which can be reached at exports@thedtic.gov.za, will serve as a central point of contact for guidance, queries and assistance to support traders and guide them through the necessary compliance and market access processes. In addition, a comprehensive Frequently Asked Questions document for exporters will be posted on the dtic website (https://www.thedtic.gov.za/).

According to the dtic, the zero-tariff treatment preference scheme is a signal of China’s strong relations with the African continent and a significant outcome of the FOCAC 2024 Summit, themed ‘Joining hands to advance modernisation and build a high-level China-Africa community with a shared future’.

The dtic contends that the zero-tariff scheme offers South African exporters a meaningful opportunity to expand into one of the world’s largest and most dynamic consumer markets. Further, these developments complement the diversification strategy initiated by the dtic, aimed at creating resilience in the South African economy.

To prepare yourself, the links to the zero-tariff schedule with qualifying products and the RoO can be accessed at:

For the tariff schedule:

http://gss.mof.gov.cn/gzdt/zhengcefabu/202604/t20260428_3988616.htm.

For the RoO provisions:

http://www.customs.gov. cn/customs/2026-04/29/article_ 2026042908570039662.html