On December 29, the Customs Tariff Commission of the State Council released the “2026 Tariff Adjustment Plan,” which will take effect on January 1, 2026. The plan scientifically adjusts provisional import tariffs, optimizes tariff item settings, and continues implementing agreement rates and preferential rates. These measures will help foster new productive forces, meet the people's growing needs for a better life, expand high-level opening-up, and promote high-quality development.
To enhance the synergistic effects between domestic and international markets and resources while expanding the supply of high-quality goods, 935 items will be subject to provisional import tariffs below the most-favored-nation (MFN) rate in 2026. First, to advance high-level self-reliance in science and technology and promote the development of a modern industrial system, import tariffs will be reduced on key components and advanced materials such as CNC hydraulic cushions for presses and special-shaped composite contact strips. Second, to support the comprehensive green transformation of economic and social development, import tariffs on resource-based commodities like recycled black powder for lithium-ion batteries and unroasted pyrite will be reduced. Third, to strengthen efforts in ensuring and improving people's livelihoods and accelerate the building of a Healthy China, import tariffs on medical products such as artificial blood vessels and diagnostic kits for certain infectious diseases will be lowered.
Gao Lingyun, a researcher at the Institute of World Economics and Politics of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, believes the plan closely aligns with the directions of “fostering new growth drivers,” “promoting green development,” and “benefiting the people,” driving high-quality development across multiple sectors. Reducing import tariffs on certain high-end equipment components and advanced materials will help promote the development of new productive forces and cultivate new growth drivers. Lowering import tariffs on certain energy and resource products will facilitate a comprehensive green transformation of economic and social development, helping enterprises achieve the “dual carbon” goals more effectively and efficiently. Reducing import tariffs on certain medical products will increase the supply of high-quality goods, lower patients' medical burdens, and safeguard public health and well-being.
Furthermore, to enhance the endogenous momentum of the domestic economic cycle, the plan eliminates provisional import tariffs on goods such as micro motors, printing machines, and sulfuric acid—within the scope of China's WTO commitments—and reinstates most-favored-nation (MFN) rates based on domestic industrial development and shifts in supply-demand dynamics.
Regarding tariff classification, to serve technological advancement and support circular economy and forest-based economic development, new domestic subheadings for intelligent bionic robots, bio-jet fuel, and wild ginseng will be added in 2026. Following these adjustments, the total number of tariff headings stands at 8,972.
Zhao Jungui, Vice President of the China Petroleum and Chemical Industry Federation, noted that the adjustments in the petrochemical sector primarily involve bio-jet fuel and recycled black powder for lithium-ion batteries. This reflects the state's policy orientation to support the petrochemical industry in cultivating new productive forces, promoting the green and low-carbon transformation of fossil energy, and safeguarding national energy resources and the security of industrial chains and supply chains. The adjustments optimize tax rates, enhance the scientific design of tariff items, and improve the targeted nature of policy measures. This will help the petrochemical industry cultivate new green export momentum and positively promote the accelerated development of strategic emerging industries.
“Adding tariff items for emerging products like robots will help industries and enterprises accurately grasp trade data, analyze overseas market trends, and formulate scientific and efficient development strategies,” said Li Yanxia, Chief Engineer of the China Machinery Industry Federation.
To deepen economic and trade cooperation and promote regional integration, in 2026, China will continue to apply preferential tariff rates to certain imported goods originating from 34 trading partners under 24 existing free trade agreements and preferential trade arrangements.
To promote economic and trade cooperation with least developed countries (LDCs) and support their development, China will continue to grant zero tariffs on 100% of tariff lines for 43 LDCs that have established diplomatic relations with China in 2026. Under the Asia-Pacific Trade Agreement and intergovernmental exchange of notes with relevant ASEAN member states, preferential tariff rates will continue to apply to certain imported goods originating from Bangladesh, Laos, Cambodia, and Myanmar.
Gao Yuning, Vice Dean of the School of Public Policy and Management at Tsinghua University, noted that maintaining preferential tariff rates for 34 trading partners fully demonstrates China's commitment to acting as a responsible major power amid intensifying pressures in the international economic and trade environment. This approach continues to expand high-level opening-up, injecting stable expectations into the global trading system and fostering a favorable trade environment.
If you have any inquiries or purchasing needs, please feel free to contact SunSirs with support@sunsirs.com.
