BEIJING, May 7 (Xinhua) -- Boosted by China's new zero-tariff policy for African countries with diplomatic ties, a growing wave of African specialty products hit the Chinese market over the just-concluded May Day holiday, unlocking fresh opportunities for robust bilateral trade.

At the stroke of midnight on May 1, 24 tonnes of apples from South Africa were swiftly cleared by customs officers in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, becoming the first batch of imports entering the country after it began implementing an expanded zero-tariff treatment for all 53 African countries with which it has diplomatic relations.

The latest policy expansion came as China -- Africa's largest trading partner for 17 consecutive years -- had already scrapped tariffs on 100 percent of tariff lines for imports from 33 least developed countries (LDCs) with diplomatic ties on the continent since Dec. 1, 2024.

For this new batch of South African apples bound for markets across China, the tariff rate plunged from 10 percent to zero, further strengthening their competitiveness in the Chinese market.

Likewise, in Guangzhou, the province's capital, customs officers cleared a shipment of over 6,900 kilograms of Kenyan fresh avocados just after midnight on May 1. By the end of the day, these avocados were on consumers' tables in the Greater Bay Area in south China.

Before the policy change, Kenyan fresh avocados faced a 7-percent tariff. "Zero tariffs mean better competitiveness and lower costs, a real gain for us and for Chinese consumers," said Yuan Chengjie, a sales manager of Shenzhen Ouheng Import & Export Co., Ltd., adding that the nearly year-round availability of Kenyan fresh avocados makes them a firm favorite among Chinese shoppers.

In addition to South African apples and Kenyan avocados, Africa has been exporting an astonishing variety of products to China, ranging from Beninese pineapples, Rwandan dried chilies, Malagasy mutton, Ghanaian black soap and Tunisian rosemary to Nigerian cassia seeds.

Official data underscores this robust momentum. In 2025, China's trade with these 53 African countries hit a record high of 348.08 billion U.S. dollars. In the first quarter of 2026, the figure reached 92.16 billion U.S. dollars, a year-on-year surge of 26.8 percent.

As the new zero-tariff policy covers not only the least developed African nations but also stronger African economies such as South Africa, Egypt, Nigeria and Algeria, more quality local goods are expected to reach Chinese households.

Chinese import companies are already pivoting to seize the opportunity.

"The full zero-tariff coverage of African coffee beans has hugely expanded our sourcing options and given us a powerful cost advantage for supply-chain optimization," said Wang Xinguo, general manager of Ningbo Beiyuan Co., Ltd., a domestic coffee bean importer.

Wang added that the company, encouraged by the zero-tariff policy, aims to boost its annual green bean imports from Africa by 15-20 percent to 1,200 tonnes this year.

Bringing in more products tax-free is only half the story. China has unveiled a string of supportive measures to fully tap into the policy's dividends.

Zhang Panjun, customs manager of a Zhejiang-based import-export firm in east China, recalled that their imported Egyptian fresh oranges had arrived at Shanghai Waigaoqiao Port while the certificate of origin was still being processed.

For most importers, without a valid certificate of origin, goods may be detained, thus blocking customs declaration and disrupting follow-up marketing. "Fresh fruits are highly time-sensitive, so I was very worried," said Zhang.

To help Zhang's company enjoy zero-tariff benefits immediately and avoid demurrage, storage fees and spoilage, customs at the port guided the company to apply for a supplementary declaration plus duty security, releasing the Egyptian oranges first and completing the formalities once the certificate was ready.

Even more help is on the way. In line with this policy, the General Administration of Customs (GAC) has further optimized quarantine access procedures, issued corresponding rules of origin for zero-tariff treatment of African goods, and upgraded "green channel" facilitation measures for African agricultural and food products, while actively cooperating with African countries in areas like mutual recognition of Authorized Economic Operators.

Guo Xueyan, an official with the GAC, noted that customs authorities have revised regulations on the registration of overseas food production enterprises, scheduled to take effect on June 1, adding that the move will further facilitate the export of African farm and food products to China.

The zero-tariff policy marks a major milestone in upgrading China-African economic cooperation, said Guo, who expects a more prosperous trade relationship between the two sides thanks to opportunities stemming from China's vast market. ■